Born: 17 January 1879, Perry, KS
Died: 4 March 1929. Los Angeles, CA
Although not a roll artist himself, his name is familiar to roll collectors as tireless demonstrator of Gulbransen player pianos, his 'Martin Method' of teaching player piano owners how to create musical expression from their rolls being heavily publicised, including with the Gulbransen Instruction Roll series.
The son of a Wichita farmer, he worked for J. W. Jenkins Music Co in St. Joseph, Missouri and Kansas City, and then ran his own music store (Martin & Adams) in Wichita, Kansas from 1909. After selling his business in 1918 became involved with Gulbransen in about 1920, travelling nationally and to Australia demonstrating the Gulbransen player in both live demonstrations and radio. Gulbransen billed him as 'a businessman who worked too hard - his health failed - his physician suggested he take up the study of music during his convalescence', concealing the fact that he had a long career in music and implying that he was entirely ignorant before acquiring his Gulbransen!
In 1920 he relocated to Los Angeles and opened the Martin Music Co store, at 734 South Hill St.
He died 10 days after being struck by a car, causing a badly broken leg and other injuries. Thought to be on the road to recovery, he was felled by a sudden heart attack while listening to a radio broadcast of the presidential inauguration, shortly after telephoning his office. Universally mourned by the trade, he was survived by his three brothers, three sisters, and widow. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Los Angeles.
A eulogy to John, published in the Western Music & Radio Trades Journal.
