Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 4pm
Pianist Jim Martinez, based in Rocklin, began his musical career at the age of four, receiving 16 years of classical training. He has amassed a list of musical accomplishments encompassing nearly all styles of music. Martinez, 61, is a Steinway Piano Artist and has performed/recorded with Jazz notables Lionel Hampton, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, Cheryl Bentyne (of the Manhattan Transfer), and many others. His performances have taken him from New York to Sydney, Australia.
Martinez worked as pianist/musical director for Joan Rivers and Bob Newhart at Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe. Jim’s annual holiday concert, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” features the jazz music of Vince Guaraldi, with his trio. He has also performed this show with pops symphony orchestras around the US, from California to Florida.
His jazz quartet was the first jazz group to be featured at “Music in the Mountains” in 2002 and 2003. Former Artistic Director, Paul Perry said, “Your show just sold out. It was the fastest sell-out that we’ve ever had!” Jim has thirteen CD’s to his credit as a leader. Four of these are “Jazz Praise,” his arrangements creatively combining church hymns and jazz. His 2015 CD, “Good Grief! It’s Still Jim Martinez – A Tribute to Vince Guaraldi, Charles Schulz & Peanuts” peaked at #10 on the national radio jazz charts, and was on the JazzWeek charts a total of 26 weeks.
Martinez’s current trio includes Sacramento bassist Kerry Kashiwagi and drummer Scott Gordon.