The music world is mourning the loss of Marty Sammon, a talented and versatile blues keyboardist who died unexpectedly on October 15, 2022, just one day after his birthday. Sammon was best known for his energetic performances, improvisation and mastery of traditional styles such as ragtime and blues. He was also an ambassador of Chicago blues, appearing on several commercially distributed DVDs, television shows and Grammy Award-winning albums. His book Blues Keyboard Method, with a foreword by Chuck Leavell of the Rolling Stones, was published in 2015. But how did Marty Sammon die? What was his cause of death? Here are some facts and details about his life and death.
A Musical Prodigy from Chicago
Marty Sammon was born on October 14, 1977, in Chicago, Illinois, to a family with Irish heritage. His father, Martin Sammon Sr., was a Chicago police officer who introduced him to traditional Irish folk songs. Marty learned to play the piano by ear at a young age and also took piano lessons. He developed his musical ear by listening to many styles of music, including blues, jazz, rock and classical. He competed in contests such as the World Championship Old-Time Piano Players, winning championships in 1994 and 1995.
At the age of 15, he began playing on the Chicago blues scene with the South Side guitarist L.V. Banks. He was underage and was driven to venues by his father. He soon received calls to play with many Chicago artists, including Phil Guy, the brother of legendary bluesman Buddy Guy. He performed and toured with Phil Guy and other blues musicians for years, while also performing headlining gigs, including a tour in Latvia.
A Grammy Award-Winning Keyboardist
The turning point of his career came when he played with Phil Guy at the original Checkerboard Lounge during the weekend of the Chicago Blues Festival. After five years with Otis Rush, in which he played on Rush’s 2003 DVD Live Part One and on Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey (which won Grammy Awards for Best Historical Album and Best Album Notes) – Godfathers and Sons, Sammon was contacted by Phil Guy: “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!” according to Wikipedia.
Sammon performed worldwide with Buddy Guy and as an opening act with his own ensemble, the Marty Sammon Band. He contributed to Guy’s sixth Grammy Award-winning album Living Proof. He also appeared on several DVDs with Buddy Guy, such as Live at Montreux 2008 and Live at Red Rocks 2013.
A Sudden Death at 45
Marty Sammon passed away on October 15, 2022, just one day after he celebrated his birthday. His cause of death is still not known to the public. His sudden death shocked his fans and the whole music industry. Many tributes and condolences poured in on social media from his fellow musicians, friends and admirers.
Buddy Guy posted a heartfelt message on his Facebook page: “I’m heartbroken to hear about my friend Marty Sammon passing away yesterday. He was one of the best keyboard players I ever had in my band and a great person to be around. He always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He will be missed by everyone who knew him and loved him. Rest in peace Marty.”
Chuck Leavell also expressed his sadness on Twitter: “So sad to hear of the passing of Marty Sammon…a great keyboard player and a wonderful human being. I had the honor of writing the foreword to his book ‘Blues Keyboard Method’. He was a true ambassador of Chicago blues and a joy to watch and listen to. RIP Marty.”
Marty Sammon is survived by his parents, his brother Mike and his sister Kelly. His marital status and children are not known.
Marty Sammon was a brilliant musician who left behind a legacy of blues music that will inspire generations to come. His cause of death remains a mystery, but his memory lives on in his songs and performances. He was a shining star in the blues world who died too soon at 45.
