JERÓNIMO MARTÍN
Jerónimo Martín (Bilbao, 1974) is an eclectic musician who works interchangeably in the fields of classical music, jazz, free improvisation and composition.
He began to study music theory at the age of eight and piano at the age of ten. Back then, in between scales, he already felt a need that would determine his future as a musician: the need to express himself freely through his instrument. A natural inclination towards improvisation and composition which, over the years, would only become more acute.
Educated at the Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga Conservatory in Bilbao, where he completed his higher level studies in Piano, he spent his early youth immersed in a rich musical environment: from formal classical training to performances as a keyboard player with rock bands and the discovery of the world of jazz. A blend of styles that would become another of his hallmarks.
Intrigued by the fortuitous phenomenon of improvisation and encouraged to discover its remotest secrets, he completed his training in Barcelona, where he studied jazz at the Taller de Músics. He later studied the BA in Jazz at the Higher School of Music of the Basque Country, Musikene.
During the first stage of his professional career, he combined teaching with recitals as a soloist or accompanist, without ever abandoning his compositional work and research into improvisation.
In 2004 he decided to focus on what he defines as «a vital need»: music creation. The Jerónimo Martín Trio and, in 2008, the Jerónimo Martín Sextet were born, groups with which he gave free rein to his creative impulse and with which he participated in festivals such as the Jazzaldia in Donostia/San Sebastian, Getxo, Salamanca or Prague.
In 2006 he began his recording career with Piedraescrita (Errabal Jazz), followed in 2012 by Quinoa (Errabal Jazz). His next two albums are pure improvisation: Capturas (2015) and Durango Concert (2020).
In 2021 he premièred and performed his first work for bands entitled Versos libres para piano improvisado y banda (Free verses for improvised piano and band). He has composed music for theatre and dance groups, and has participated in several film soundtracks.
As a performer, he has given recitals as a soloist and with different chamber music ensembles, and has accompanied the Bilbao Municipal Band for several seasons. In addition, he has collaborated in recordings, concerts and as an arranger, with musicians such as Kepa Junkera or Mikel Urdangarin.
In his latest album he reaffirms and develops the musical concepts expressed throughout his creative career. With Tokian (2023, Errabal Jazz), recorded with 30 musicians, Jerónimo Martín achieved his vital “centring”, the result of a continuous commitment to himself and the acceptance of his deepest identity, the recognition of his true drive.
Always working on new projects and without stopping his research activity, he has not abandoned his teaching work. On leave of absence as a piano-keyboard teacher at BilbaoMusika, he created and directed the school’s Big Band during its first three academic years.
Interested in applying new creative methodologies to music teaching, he carries out constant research in this field as a teacher and performer, which has led him to complete his training in different free and guided improvisation techniques such as Conduction, Soundpainting or Music for People.
He has been piano accompanist at the Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga Conservatory and piano accompanist for dance and singing at the Basque Higher School of Performing Arts, Dantzerti.
He is currently a saxophone repertoire pianist at the Jesús Guridi Conservatory of Music in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
