Robert L. Martin

Music and Poetry

Photo of Mr. Martin in front of a colorful painting of ocean waves, beach, and sky

About Robert L. Martin

Mr. Martin was born in Ashtabula, Ohio in 1938. He went to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio for a year, and then to Westlake College of Music in Hollywood to study jazz improvisation, theory, and piano. His studies proved useful; he ended up writing lead sheets and arrangements for singers from which he made a living in New York City from 1972 until 1985. He was fortunate to meet and work with some big names in the business, which kept him inspired musically. 

In 1961, Robert joined the Army and went to Germany where he played the trumpet in the 82nd Army Band in Stuttgart. He was fortunate at the time because they were looking desperately for bandsmen! After he was discharged from the Army in 1964, he played with the Jimmy Dorsey Band in the United States. He then moved to New York City where he was married, and where his daughter Renata was born. 

Robert moved to Pennsylvania in 1985 and now lives in Bangor. He has been the organist at First UMC of Wind Gap, PA for the past 30 years, which allows him to keep him busy with his two passions: music and poetry. 

Robert can be found at his home in Bangor, either at his keyboard or in front of a yellow legal pad, pen in hand...