Guitarist Eric Martens has been an active performer and instructor in the Midwest since 2003. He currently serves on the faculty at North Dakota State University and as Instructor of Classical and Jazz Guitar at Concordia College.
Martens has performed with nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians such as Ignacio Berroa, Will Kennedy, Terri Lynn Carrington, Gregg Bissonette, Rex Richardson, and Phil Woods. He has performed in master classes hosted by world-renowned groups and musicians including classical guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening, lutenist Phillip Rukavina, and the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet.
In 2014, Martens recorded with saxophonist Grant Larson and his band in a marathon session lasting over six hours. The result was Passages, a collection of original compositions and a unique arrangement of the jazz standard “Yesterdays.” It was released on the Dazzle Recordings label and can be found on iTunes, CD Baby, or Amazon.
Martens holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College and a Master of Music degree from North Dakota State University, both in guitar performance. He has studied with classical guitarist Mike Coates and jazz guitarists Dan Phillips and Dale Bruning.
Martens is a highly sought-after guitarist in the Fargo-Moorhead music community. He performs regularly with a number of well-known local groups including The Carluster Crumplebee Orchestra, Twelve Strings, and Kapeesh, and also works as a session musician.