Doug Martin

Local Jazz Composer Celebrates Music Success in Cannes Film Festival's Palme D'Or Winner "Anora" OTTAWA, June 19, 2024 /AP Newswire/ -- Local Ottawa area jazz composer Doug Martin and his bandmates, are in shock and processing their good fortune following the success of "Anora," a film that recently clinched the prestigious Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, which film includes three of Martin’s songs. The indie film, a modern-day comic Cinderella story romance, and drama, between an exotic dancer who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, is set against the backdrop of New York and Las Vegas. For three of the background songs in the movie, there is also an Ottawa area connection. Doug Martin, renowned for his evocative saxophone melodies and decades-long contribution to Ottawa's music scene, expressed elation upon learning of his music's inclusion in the award-winning film. The selected tracks—"Kafka Was Here," "Monday In Utopia," and "The Shadow Lounge"—underscore scenes in "Anora,” enriching its narrative with Martin's signature jazz flair, and his, and his bands’, performances. Reflecting on the unexpected recognition, 77-year-old Martin remarked, “When I heard that the movie won the Palme d’Or my heart rate elevated significantly. It feels fine indeed to know that three of my songs are in a movie judged to be the best in the world. I am more excited about my prospects than I have been to date. It reinforces my belief that I made the right decision all those years ago to take a chance on a life in music.” Martin originally obtained a Master of Arts in Psychology from Ottawa’s Carleton University, but decided that his path was music composition, teaching, and performance. The musicians performing the songs are fellow Ottawa music teachers Ian Card and Yves Laroche on piano, Doug Martin on saxophone, Jeff Asselin on drums, and Tom Denison on bass. Norm Glaude was the engineer on all of the tracks, which were recorded at the Morning Anthem Studio in Cumberland, Ontario. The tracks are originally part of three of Martin’s four jazz albums, recorded with different incarnations of his band. The albums have previously received critical acclaim and airplay on platforms like JazzFM91 in Toronto, and several of his tunes appear on various Broadjam Top 10 lists. Other songs from the albums have been heard on the Bosch: Legacy television series. Martin’s present group, the Martin-Card-Laroche Trio, is preparing for their next live performance at Ottawa’s Montgomery Scotch Lounge on the evening of July 6, 2024, promising an evening of soulful jazz that echoes some of the cinematic resonance of "Anora." As Anora is the highlight of the film festival season, and a favorite contender for Oscar nominations, Doug Martin and the Martin-Card-Laroche Trio, are looking forward to toasting the film’s, and its screenwriter and director Sean Baker’s, continued success, and more musical opportunities in the television and film industry. They are impatiently waiting to see the film once it opens for wide release, starting on October 18, 2024 in the United States, where its North American rights have been secured by Neon. For more information on Doug Martin, and to listen to his and his bands’ music, visit soundcloud.com/dugglas or search "Doug Martin" on Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes in conjunction with the name of the tune. Contact: Doug Martin Email: dougmartin2@yahoo.ca, 613-799-9558

Alfred, ON