Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Farewell Ralph Martin.
Received the sad news that Ralph Martin passed away this morning. Ralph was a legend in the 4-string banjo community having started the Southern California Banjo Band, taught many kids to play banjo at his banjo camps, hosted several Banjo Spectaculars in Los Angeles and at he Hollywood Paladium that featured many of the worlds top banjoists including Eddie Peabody and a young Buddy Wachter many years ago.
One of his most well-known pupils was Howard Alden...know one of the world’s most renowned jazz guitarists.
Ralph attended many banjo events including our Banjo Jam here in Pittsburgh. His son Dick Martin and Helen Wick Martin
are well known on the banjo circuit. The Martin Family moved to Oregon a few years ago and hosted a 4th of July banjo bash at Ralph’s home in Sweet Home, OR every year attracting banjoists from around the nation and overseas.
Ralph was inducted into the National 4-String Banjo Hall of Fame in 2003 in the category of promotion. I had the opportunity to attend his induction ceremony in Guthrie.
He was a good friend and will be missed by the banjo community. Our sympathy goes out to the Martin Family.
Frank Rossi
One of his most well-known pupils was Howard Alden...know one of the world’s most renowned jazz guitarists.
Ralph attended many banjo events including our Banjo Jam here in Pittsburgh. His son Dick Martin and Helen Wick Martin
are well known on the banjo circuit. The Martin Family moved to Oregon a few years ago and hosted a 4th of July banjo bash at Ralph’s home in Sweet Home, OR every year attracting banjoists from around the nation and overseas.
Ralph was inducted into the National 4-String Banjo Hall of Fame in 2003 in the category of promotion. I had the opportunity to attend his induction ceremony in Guthrie.
He was a good friend and will be missed by the banjo community. Our sympathy goes out to the Martin Family.
Frank Rossi
