Marty Sheller, made his professional debut in 1958 at the age of 18 playing a summer gig at the Woodbine Hotel in the Catskill Mountains. Soon after, he joined a combo led by tenor saxophonist Hugo Dickens, a bandleader who performed jazz, R&B, and Latin music for black social club dances in Harlem. That was just the beginning to an enduring and successful musical journey for Marty Sheller. His musical ability afforded him the opportunity to work with notable artists such as vibraphonist Louie Ramirez, conguero Frank Malabé, conga master Sabu Martinez, and timbalero/vibraphonist Pete Terrace. One evening at a Bronx club gig 1961, Marty met Mongo Santamaria. It was the beginning of a long musical collaboration that lasted until Mongo's passing in 2003. During Marty's first rehearsal with Mongo's band, Herbie Hancock, who was subbing for Chick Corea, brought in a tune that he had just recorded on Blue Note and thought would work for Mongo's band. The tune was "Watermelon Man" which became Mongo's signature song. It also gave Herbie Hancock his first big payday. Marty's trumpet solo can be heard on the original recording of "Watermelon Man". Marty Sheller's skill as an arranger and composer contributed to the popularity and success of the Fania record label from the 60's through the 80's. He also arranged for Willie Colon, Joe Bataan, Rubén Blades, Larry Harlow, Ismael Miranda, Hector Lavoe, Giovanni Hidalgo, Conexion Latina, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Arturo O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Tito Puente and many other prominent Latin artists. He has also worked with Shirley Scott, George Benson, Woody Shaw, Jon Faddis, Idris Muhammad, Steve Turre, T.S. Monk, and David Byrne. After decades of writing and recording for other artists, Marty's dream of recording his own album featuring several of his original compositions came to fruition with his critically acclaimed CD "Why Deny" on his own PVR record label in 2007. Marty Sheller is still a sought out arranger and composer to this day.