Freddy Martin Biography

Fast Facts

• Intended to use his earnings as a musician to enroll in Ohio State University, but ended up being so successful that he made music his career instead
• Started his music career by demonstrating saxophones in a music shop in Cleveland
• Though he would later be identified with the tenor saxophone, he started out playing drums and C-melody saxophone
• A big-band era great, he fronted bands at top hotels and on radio, movies and television
• Introduced generations of dancers to serious music through popular renditions of classical songs
• Collaborated with Russ Morgan, Claude Thornhill, Buddy Clarke and Merv Griffin
• Was the musical director for Elvis Presley's first Las Vegas appearance