How often is one lucky enough to recognize the signs of a unique, soulful musician on the verge of a long and promising creative cycle?
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Phillip “Doc” Martin; preferably known as “Doc Martin”, a rising saxophone stylist who’s heartfelt, humble melodies are wooing live audiences on stages across the country. And if Martin has his way, music fans all of world over will soon consider themselves just as fortunate.
Doc Martin’s latest CD, Realization, features 14 new songs that just don’t passively fit the traditional smooth, instrumental or funky rhythm genres. His tunes flex, bounce and bend offering audiophiles a “new sax” diagnosis. Martin plays his horn with a warm and clear tone supplemented by a chronic range that takes you on a soulful and energetic journey with the likes of classical soul crooner like Donny Hathaway, Gerald Levert and James Brown.
Jazz superstar Jeff Lorber says “Doc Martin plays with the energy of a live club recording; something sadly missing from most smooth jazz artists these days”. The legendary George Benson proclaims Doc Martin is “someone to watch for!”
Born in Indiana of Jamaican parents, Martin grew up in South Florida and first began playing music in the Broward County public school band program. By 14, observers began to recognize that Phillip’s talent lay in his mastering of the intricacies of his horn, the music and the performance. He became a leading soloist at South Plantation High School Jazz Band and was honored as a first chair selection to Florida’s All State Jazz Band. Following his ambition, he went on to study at the University of Central Florida where he was soon invited to play as a sideman with Grammy Award winner Sam Rivers, Grammy nominee Kirk Whalum, Sunnie Paxton, Wes Hamrick, Davonda Simmonds and Susaundra Lewis and the Sounds of Soul.
As Phillip continued to hone his skills, he became more influenced by noted saxophone players such as Charlie Parker, Everette Harp, Grover Washington Jr., Dave Koz and Gerald Albright. In 2003, he recorded his first CD, Saxappeal, with rising music producer, noted keyboardist and former member of Sounds of Soul, Tony Hemmings. Although the album produced limited sales, several of its tracks became popular on Internet radio and continue to be played on outlets like BETJ and The Weather Channel.
After graduation, Martin moved to Washington, D.C. and enrolled in the prestigious Howard University College of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery Degree after four years of intense study (hence the moniker “Doc”). Along the way, Martin became a member of The Marcus Johnson Project, eventually signing to the Three Keys Music label. Doc Martin has performed in numerous festivals and venues both in the U.S. and Caribbean including the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, Catalina Jazz Festival the Bahamas Jazz Festival, Washington, D.C.’s venerable Blues Alley, Philadelphia’s Dell East, Los Angeles’ Spaghettini’s, the Carolina Music Festival and the Trenton Jazz Festival.
“I want my music to be heard by people near and far, but not only just heard but respected and loved,”
Martin says.
A growing host of fans would concur that he has played his way into their souls already.
“I am trying to stay true to the music. I play from the heart with humility.
I want to soothe souls with my playing,” Martin says.
Martin’s music is food to the soul: a prescription for true, lasting and soulful success.
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