Freddy Martin

Frederick Alfred Martin (December 9, 1906 – September 30, 1983) was an American bandleader and tenor saxophonist. Early life Freddy Martin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Raised largely in an orphanage and by various relatives, Martin started out playing drums, then switched to C melody saxophone and subsequently tenor saxophone, the latter the one with which he would be identified. Early on, he had intended to become a journalist. He had hoped that he would earn enough money from his musical work to enter Ohio State University, but instead, he wound up becoming an accomplished musician. Martin led his own band while he was in high school, then played in various local bands. Martin spent his spare time selling musical instruments, which also gave him an excuse to listen to the Lombardos play at the "Music Box". After working on a ship's band, Martin joined the Mason-Dixon band, then joined Arnold Johnson and Jack Albin. It was with Albin's "Hotel Pennsylvania Music" that he made his first recordings for Columbia's Harmony, Velvet Tone, and Clarion 50-cent labels in 1930. Early career After a couple of years, his skill began attracting other musicians. One was Guy Lombardo, who remained friends with Martin throughout his life. After graduation from high school, Martin accepted a job at the H.N. White musical instrument company. When Lombardo was playing in Cleveland, Martin tried giving Lombardo some saxophones, which proved unsuccessful. However, Lombardo got to hear Martin's band. One night, when Lombardo could not do a certain date, he suggested that Martin's band could fill in for him. The band did very well and Martin's career got started. However, the band broke up, and he did not form a permanent band until 1931 at the Bossert Hotel in Brooklyn.