A couple of months ago I received a package in the mail from an independent label from back east. There were two CD's from saxophonist, Phillip Martin. I immediately popped one in and was blown away by what I heard. I was actually a little crabby that day, and his SaxAppeal and Pride and Joy was just what I needed to feel better. His music definitely took me to A Calm Place.
I was so impressed, I decided to get in touch with him. Here is a part of our conversation:
We recently featured "Good Day at Work" on our AF Daily Refill Newsletter. What is the story behind that song?
I wanted to write a song that depicted a typical day in the my life. Student doctor(dentist) by day, and at night I am a full fledged musician at night. Pulling this task off everyday is so crazy that I had to write a song about it.
Tell me about your background in music.
I started to play the piano at the age of 7. Eventually picked up the sax in 5th grade at the age of nine. I actually quit the sax for a year in the 6th grade. My twin brother, Chris, played my sax, but he quit in 7th grade. I soon took the sax back and haven't put it down since.
How long have you been playing?
To this date 18 years.
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
My earliest memory of music was listening to this really cool song at one of my parents' friend's house and really liking what I heard. It actually made me become interested in playing saxophone. Turns out that song was Songbird by Kenny G!
Who are some of your inspirations?
Some of my inspirations are my parents because they show my everyday that hard work and dedication really pays off in the long run. They started from nothing growing up very poor on the island of Jamaica and now they are very well off living in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. As far as my music goes, my inspiration has come from Grover Washington Jr, Kenny Garrett, Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz, and Everette Harp.
Explain the power of music.
The power of music is very hard to describe for me. Why a combination of sounds can bring out such emotion in people, I have no idea. Music is indeed powerful and life changing! Listening to it moves me also, but not as much as playing it. When I play music I leave the room. I may be there physically, but mentally I am definitely not!
Describe the type of music you do.
The kind of music that I do would be classified as smoothjazz/r&b. I would describe my particular sound as mature and refined.
Explain the type of effect you have on your listeners at a gig.
At my gigs the kind of effect that I have on my listeners is that most of the time they stop what they are doing and listen. After the show, they descibe my playing as soulful and breathtaking. It makes me happy when I move people enough that they have to tell me. This is another reason why I think music is so special and so powerful. I don't know anything else that could make someone that you have never seen in your life want to talk to you, or give you a hug, or kiss. Music moves people and that is what I do at my shows is move you.
I can dig it! So, what would you say is your mission as a musician?
My mission as a musician is to bring happiness and joy to everyone that hears my music and to help other causes by using my gift of music.
Ok. Last question. What's next for Phillip Martin?
What is next for me is to be on a stage near you. I am about to release my sophomore album Pride and Joy. I am hoping that this project will bring my music to places that I would have never dreamed of. I hope to see all of you at a show in your city!
To find out more about Phillip Martin, you can visit him on the web at www.phillipmartin.net.
