SKIP MARTIN

1. Your new album, MILES HIGH is a serious departure from your previous work, which is perceived, at least, as mostly vocal. What inspired the concept and then the ultimate realization of this primarily instrumental project?

SM:  While rehearsing for a United We Funk Show, Michael Cooper of ConFunkShun saw me playing the trumpet and asked why I hadn’t recorded a trumpet CD. Michael encouraged me to do an instrumental CD. And since playing the trumpet was my first love, I was excited about the possibility and said why not. It took 2 years of starts and stops before completing ‘Miles High’!

2. Does the new album indicate a major change in direction for you as an artist, or would it be more accurate to say that it’s an expansion of and addition to what you’ve already been so successful with up ‘til now?

SM: Miles High is definitely an expansion of what I’ve been doing (I recorded on the horn sections for both Dazz Band and Kool & the Gang over the years) and where I’d like to continue PLUS it’s less wear and tear on my knees ? - less dancing at shows...!

3. Fifteen albums with the Dazz Band…seven with Kool and the Gang so far…plus all the time on the road…that’s an impressive track record. What would you like to add to that resume in, say, the next five years?

SM: Continue doing what I love doing and that is to record my essence/creativity at least once a year. I’m currently working on a learning method and see myself doing more educational based programs. When I have the time I conduct music clinics at schools in Las Vegas and absolutely enjoy passing on my experience.

4. I’m sure you’ve had many an amazing experience in your professional career so far. Is there one particular event, or perhaps a period of time, that stands out as exceptionally fulfilling, exceptionally memorable?

SM: Yeah! One was playing New Year’s Eve 2000 in Las Vegas with the Dazz Band opening for Kool & the Gang on the same stage in my home city... The second would be playing for 500,000 people at an AIDS Benefit in Nairobi, Kenya.

5. You started with music early, performing professionally by the time you were, I believe, 15. At what point in your growing up did you “get” that you could be wildly successful as an artist, and was it a moment in time or more just a gradual awakening to the possibilities waiting for you?

SM: As far back as I can remember I felt like I was going to have an impact on music one way or the other – I didn’t know when but by feeling or knowing this – it helped the hard time pass more rapidly.

6. What have you found to be the driving force behind your accomplishments in your career and life in general…that something deep inside that’s kept you going even during the tough times that we all seem to have to weather?

SM: My optimism – I always see the glass as half full – especially in this industry.

7. You grew up in the Bay Area in California, but now you’re based in Las Vegas. Any particular reason or motivation for that change of environment?

SM: After Cleveland (where Dazz Band was based) and all that snow, I wanted some place warm to start my life and career with Kool & the Gang.

8. Obviously Miles Davis has been a principle influence on your music, at least your trumpet work, and I’ve also heard that Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis, and Donny Hathaway have been major influences in your development as a singer. Who, among today’s high profile artists are you most impressed with and inspired by?

SM: Kym Burrell’s vocals, arrangement and conviction. Kem as a singer, I like his style and Randy Waldman on piano.

9. Stepping outside your music, what else in your life do you find intriguing and worth your time?  

SM:  Anything to do with nature, water, fishing, family, kids, dogs. Living life in the moment - having fun and a good laugh.

10. What things stand out in your mind as future goals or interests for yourself…things you haven’t done or even really learned that much about yet?

SM: Being fluent in 3 or more languages mainly Spanish, German and Japanese. Acting is something I’ve been interested in but haven’t done.

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Bonus Questions

A. Who and what would have been your choices for this year’s Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress?

Best picture – Ray for the life he lived
Best Actor – Jamie Fox
Best Actress – Hillary Swank – you just believed.

B. I haven’t been to Vegas in probably ten years. What would be the first thing you’d want to show me there if I were to come visit?

SM: First thing would be to visit one of the many great restaurants – start off with a great meal while planning your itinerary since there is so much to do – it truly is a 24 hour city!