Learn More About the
Man
Behind the Microphone ~ Johnny Martin Talks About Music, Portland,
and His Interests…
Q: At what age did you realize you enjoyed singing jazz and swing?
JM: In 1996 I heard the Nelson
Riddle arrangement of “Summer Wind.” I
was so stunned by the beautiful simplicity of it, and the pure poetry
of the lyrics that I quit my rock my rock ‘n roll band. That song
changed my life.
Q: How did that particular song change your life?
JM: It stopped me in my tracks.
None of the lyrics in any of the songs I had been singing had that
kind poetry to them, or deep sense of meaning.
The arrangement was stunning. I quit rock ‘n roll, and gradually
my whole lifestyle changed. I became a singer.
Q: Which musicians have most inspired you?
JM: I would have to say Nat Cole (he swung so deftly), Frank Sinatra
(a tremendous storyteller), Bill Basie (made a presentation out of dynamics
and empty space), and Johnny Hartman (his voice was a fine tuned instrument).
Q: What other styles of music have influenced you?
JM: I grew up listening to
AM Top 40, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder etc. In high school I got
into Sabbath, Kiss, Rush, and some other metal
bands. I’ve played in 50s and 60s rock bands. I always admired
guitarist Jeff Beck. He has his own unique voice with that guitar and
is all about re-stating things his own way. Contrary to what a lot of
people think, I was never influenced by the old big band records and
singers. Growing up, that type of music was never played in our house.
Q: Where are you originally from?
JM: Though I grew up in Portland,
OR, I was actually born in Longview, WA. My father was a longshoreman
and happened to be working there at
the time. We returned to Portland a few months after I was born and ended
up staying. It’s one of the best places to live.
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Q: Why is Portland one of the best cities to live in?
JM: Oh, it is a beautiful
city. Portland has just the right amount of trees vs. buildings, people
vs. space, and rain vs. sun. It is ninety
minutes from the mountain, and ninety minutes from the beach. We have “big
city” events, but it has a “small town” feel. The people
are what I dig the most - especially the musicians.
Q: What is the strangest thing
you’ve witnessed at one of the
bars and/or clubs you entertained?
JM: Like a lot of
singers, I started singing in coffee houses and café’s.
Shortly after leaving my rock ‘n roll band and attempting to start
over, I was singing with a pianist friend in a downtown café for
no money, only the permission to play. We had an empty tip jar and someone
came by and put 2 postage stamps in it. I thought, what have I done? Two
and a half years later 800 people were giving my sextet and I a standing
ovation at an outdoor concert. You have to stick with it!
Q: Besides singing, what is your favorite thing to do to past time?
JM: I really enjoy video editing, producing, and directing multi-media
music projects.
Q: What do you have in your CD player right now?
JM: Rebecca Kilgore’s CD titled, “Not a Care in the World.” She’s
a world class singer with great style and charm. She’s also a friend
of mine.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
JM: “The shoemaker makes a good shoe, because he makes nothing
else.” This was said by Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of my heroes.
Q: What is the meaning?
JM: To do one thing well…I’ve always wanted that. I have
a talent for design, illustration, film editing, animation, mixing, storyboarding,
layout, production etc. I’ve always been able to do a bit of everything,
but now I just want to become a performer that honors the craft of songwriting
- and one that does so in a casual, easy style. Also the quote comes
from Emerson, and he truly did one thing well.
Q: Could you share one of your long-term goals?
JM: I hope one day to really
deliver a ballad – and deliver it
like no one else. That can take a lot of years. My other goal is to be
around when it happens.
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