Gavin Martin hails from the ex-Portuguese colony of Goa in India. His musical endeavors took him to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia by way of the Royal College of Music in London. He considers his approach to music strongly influenced by the playing of the late Jorge Bolet, and Gary Graffman, two pianists with whom he studied extensively.
Martin has performed in solo recital on all five continents, in addition to touring extensively as a chamber musician. The conductors he has appeared with as soloist include Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos and Zubin Mehta, with whom he made his New York Philharmonic debut in 1985. He has toured under the auspices of the U.S. State Department, and has appeared on the television stations of the BBC, Suisse Romande, and ABC. Reviewing his New York City recital debut at Carnegie Recital Hall, The New York Times carried the caption "Classical Light, Romantic Heat and a Dazzler."
He is part of a two-piano team with his wife Joanne Pearce-Martin. The duo has appeared at venues around the world, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, and the Teatro Nacional in Costa Rica, where they were invited to perform a recital at the hall's 100th anniversary celebration.
Martin's 2006-2007 appearances have included a recital with cellist Lynn Harrell at the Carmel Music Society, and two appearances together with his wife as soloists with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Martin is an active aerobatic pilot and master rated skydiver, having recently made a BASE jump off the world's tallest waterfall in Venezuela.
