Marty Sammon

Marty Sammon was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago to a family of hard working, Irish-American parents. Their love for music and entertainment had a huge impact on Marty. He began his musical journey learning traditional Irish songs by ear while listening to records with his father, Martin Sr. His parents realized that their son had an ear for music and encouraged him to take piano lessons. Marty enjoyed the experience but also developed his musical ear by listening to many styles of music. At the age of 15, he began playing on the blues scene with South Side guitarist L.V. Banks. Although he was underage and still being driven to the gig by his father, he absorbed the sound and language of Chicago Blues. Marty quickly began receiving calls to play with many Chicago artists. One artist in particular that excited him was Mr. Phil Guy. Phil, being the younger brother of Buddy Guy, exposed Marty to a funky, heavy, soulful blues language that still today earns the respect and admiration of well-known rock legends. Marty performed and toured with Phil and other blues legends for years while at the same time, performing a variety of other "jobbing" gigs to pay the bills.Marty's "turning point" of his career came while playing with Phil at the original Checkerboard Lounge during the weekend of the Chicago Blues Fest. "I cancelled two very good paying gigs but for some reason, I felt I needed to be on those shows with Phil. Sure enough, I met Big James Montgomery of the Chicago Playboys that night who hooked me up with the gig with Otis Rush. As if that was not enough, years later, he played a role in me getting the gig with Buddy. I'm forever grateful to Big James."After five years with Otis Rush, Marty got a call that changed everything. "It was late night and I was home when the phone rang. I didn't know the number so I ignored it. My brother Mike convinced me to answer saying that 'that could be THE call!' It was Phil Guy saying that I had the Buddy gig and, by the way, Y'all leave Thursday. I'll be forever grateful to Phil and to my bro for that!"Today, you can see Marty perform world-wide with Buddy Guy as well as various other situations. Marty is currently writing and recording his own music as well as other talent at his home studio. "Right now, I've got some great Irish cats, some blues guys, and some good friends laying down stuff in my home studio. It's great to do something at the house for a change!"