Tommy Martin took his first Uilleann Pipes lesson from Dublin piper, Mick O'Brien in 1984 at the age of 12. By 1988, with the great help of Mick's tuition he won his first competition at the Annual Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann (traditional music competition festival), an event run by "Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann", (Literally, traditional musicians of Ireland).
His professional career started in 1990 when offered a place in the band for Jury’s Irish Cabaret. A position which he shared with Mick O’Brien. Then in 1996 Tommy took a job organising and playing at Irish music nights in Irish pubs in Hong Kong.
This led to more work in Asian cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore and Tokyo over the coming years.
Back in Europe, Tommy's talent and experience took him to perform in almost every country with many different bands.

Performances varied from solo events to playing with 5 piece folk bands. Since then his gigs have as diverse as being an Uilleann Pipes tutor in New Zealand to performing with "Riverdance" in New York to recording with past members of rock band "Thin Lizzy". In January 2004 Tommy had the honor to play a newly composed piece of music with the Chicago Virtuosi Symphony Orchestra.

As part of the Celtic Woman Christmas Symphony tour in 2011 Tommy performed with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, the Altlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra and many others.
His first solo CD, "Uilleann Piper", was released in 2000 which was followed by his second release, “Shady Woods” in 2005.

Tommy now lives in St. Louis Missouri. When not working with Irelands Music Awards winners Teada, Irish Christmas in America and Emmy nominated Celtic Woman he also makes Uilleann pipes and penny whistles.



With Irish Christmas in America, featuring Grainne Hambly and members of Teada. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2HpaXlqf4E



Discography

Artist                                          Album Name

Tommy Martin                             Uilleann Piper                                2000

Tommy Martin                             Shady Woods                                2005


Also

Joyce Teevan                              A Womans Heart                            1992

John Huie                                   The Honourable Retreat                  1997

Dare                                          Belief                                             2001

Brendan Lynch                           Tunes from the Hearth                     2000

Various                                      Gogartys Music Vol 1                       2000

Amongst Friends                        Ceoltiori Cluain Tarbh                       2001

Various                                      The Cobblestone Sessions                2002

Cruachan                                   Pagan                                             2004

Various                                     The Center for Irish Music - Young Irish 
                                                Musicians Weekend Vol.1                2008    

Various                                      Irish Christmas in America                2008

Pat Liston                                  Dreamer                                          2008

Grace Basement                        Gunmetal Gray                                  2009

Teada                                       Ceol is Cuimhne                                2010

Celtic Woman                            Songs from the Heart DVD                 2010

Buckley and Walsh                     Keeping it Reel                                  2011

Celtic Woman                             Believe CD & DVD                               2011