Martin Walters is a multiple Grammy award winning producer, recording engineer and
musician. Martin began his study of jazz at the University of North Texas where under
the direction of Paris Rutherford, he performed both as a vocalist and bass player
in the university’s premier vocal group The UNT Jazz Singers. Martin also played in
the UNT Lab Bands along with a variety of jazz and contemporary combos studying with
Jack Petersen, Rich Matteson and Dan Haerle. Martin’s professional career took off
before finishing college and after a brief time working as a recording engineer in
a local studio, he started his own Big Time Audio Recording Studios which operated
in Dallas Texas for over 25 years. During that time he worked with such well-known
artists and groups as Spyro Gyra, Bowling for Soup, Dave Koz, Patti Labelle, Grover
Washington Jr., Richard Elliot, Philip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire, Tina Marie,
Kirk Whalum, Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris, Sarah McLachlan, Stanley Turrentine,
Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves and many others.
Martin has recorded and mixed numerous top charting and Grammy winning albums including
“Best Contemporary World Music Album” with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 2005, 2014,
and 2018, Najee “Rising Sun” in 2007, “Jazz Record of the Year” with Esperanza Spalding
in 2009, Terri Lyne Carrington’s “Mosaic Project” in 2011, Dianne Reeves “Beautiful
Life” in 2014, Spyro Gyra’s “Vinyl Tap” in 2019 and Pieces of a Dream “Fired Up” in
2021 and Dan Wilson’s “Things Eternal” in 2023. Martin also pioneered surround sound
mixing for Telarc and Concord records and was nominated for a Grammy for “Best Surround
Sound” album in 2005. Martin also worked on projects earning Emmy and Addy awards
for television and advertising.
Upon relocating his studio to Tennessee in 2006, Walters completed his BA in Independent
Studies at East Tennessee State University. Martin began teaching courses in jazz
and audio production at the university in 2008 and currently serves as Professor of
Practice in Recording Arts and Director of Contemporary and Jazz Music studies.