One of New York City’s most versatile and highly sought after bassists, Marty Jaffe has performed extensively with world-renowned artists such as Samara Joy, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Catherine Russell, George Coleman, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Cincotti, Karrin Allyson, and Laura Anglade, among others. When not in NYC, Marty tours extensively throughout the US and world with these artists and other collaborators including pianists Ben Rosenblum, David Meder, and his own groups.
Marty was born into a family of extraordinary musicians, including his father Andy Jaffe, a prominent pianist, composer, and educator. He grew up in Conway, Massachusetts and moved to New York City to attend Columbia and Juilliard, where he studied under musical giants Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Drummond, Frank Kimbrough, and Kenny Washington. His accolades include being named a 2012 Presidential Scholar in the Arts and winning the International Society of Bassists’ jazz competition in 2013.
Marty is active as a bandleader and has presented his original music at venues such as The New World Center for the Arts, Mezzrow, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. He currently co-leads an innovative trio TONE FOREST, with longtime collaborators Miro Sprague (piano) and Jason Ennis (7-string Brazilian classical guitar). Their debut album, self-titled Tone Forest, released in August 2024, features original compositions by each member that blend influences from jazz, Brazilian music, classical music, free improvisation and more. They will release their second album in 2027.