Today we’d like to introduce you to Marty Quinn.
Marty, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Chicago and as early as I can remember, I was enamored with music and performing. I was always listening to my family’s cassettes and CDs and dancing around my living room. As early as six, I was performing in small youth musicals. The energy that I felt when on stage, coupled with the communities and friendships built through teamwork, was addicting to me. I continued singing and acting and also picked up electric bass to play with friends through high school. When I graduated high school, I knew that I wanted to dive as deep into music as I could, so I moved to Ohio to study voice and become an opera singer. And that lasted one year. I quickly realized I loved playing bass more than anything else. The supportive nature of the instrument was similar to how I wanted to support my fellow musicians, and I wanted to play as many styles of music as I could – which is much more possible on bass.
During this time, I also began teaching music at a non-profit organization. It was there I realized how amazing teaching could be. Helping the youth realize their potential, and being a mentor in more ways than just music was something that I wanted to always be in my life. After four years, I completed a degree in Jazz Bass and moved to Miami to study at the Frost School of Music. In Miami, I have been able to balance teaching some amazing students who always make me proud with the joy of performing. I have played all over Miami – from venues on South Beach to local restaurants to the Arsht Center. Performing as a freelance bass player gives me such joy because I get to play with all different kinds of bands, meet tons of people, and play a supportive role that gives people a sense of trust and comfort.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I was 11, my father passed away. It was very hard to come to terms with that, and I had a hard time building trust in my relationships for some time. I really believe music and the arts helped me regain control of that in my life. In addition to that, there are a lot of growing pains as a professional musician and teacher. I have been fired from gigs before. I have lost students before. But each time that happens, you gain a wealth of knowledge and experience to push forward.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a freelance musician and educator. As a musician in the 21st century, you have to wear a lot of hats. I have played the role of composer, arranger, director, studio musician, and sideman. In Miami, I mostly work as a sideman, which means I show up and play someone else’s music and try my hardest to use my skills to bring their vision to life. I also have been doing a lot of recording in Miami, which is a blast and comes with a different set of challenges. No matter what my job is that day, I try to have a great attitude and show compassion on the job. I am proud to be known as a musician who always gives 100%.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that luck is a combination of hard work and preparation for any opportunity that might come by. If you dedicate your time to preparing for a wide variety of musical scenarios, you will suddenly find yourself very lucky. In that sense, I am lucky to have a network of great peers and friends in Miami that I get to work with from day to day.
Contact Info:
- Website: martyquinnmusic.com
- Email: martyjosephquinn@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/martyjquinn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marty.quinn.58
Image Credit:
Gina Carter, Mackenzie Karbon, Steph Estrada, Gabriel Lugo
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