Marty Jaffe

One of New York City’s most versatile and highly sought after bassists, Marty Jaffe has
performed with world-renowned artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Samara Joy, 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 the Kennedy Center, The
New World Center for the Arts, 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, world
music, classical music, free improvisation and more.