Musician David Martin, who recently released the new album "King David's Throne," will perform at the Park Street Tavern, 501 Park St., in Columbus on Wednesday, July 6, at 9 p.m. and at the Lake Park Pavilion in Coshocton, Ohio on Friday, July 8.
Martin was born and raised in Coshocton, the youngest of six. His reputation as a singer was established in the St. Andrews AME Choir. 'My first introduction to pop music was listening to my dad's records on the weekends," said Martin. "He had excellent taste and variety in music; stuff like Jimmy Smith, Mahalia Jackson, Lou Rawls and Johnny Taylor."
In high school, Martin assembled his first band, Sweet Justice, featuring classmate Mary "Vesta" Williams. R&B and jazz fans are farniliar with Williams, who went on to fame with hits such as "Suddenly It's Magic" and "Congratulations". "She was just relentless She had such a drive," Martin said of his Childhood friend and former bandmate "She was the type of a lady who would walk in front of a crowd and just start singing."
While in high school, Martin starred in musicals such as "Oklahoma," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and a memorable role as John the Baptist in "Godspell". Martin continued his studies in musical performance throughout his college years at Central State before heading out west to pursue his dream of a career in music.
In the early 1980s, Martin teamed up with singer-songwriter Tyrone "Master T" Williams of the West Mann, Calif.-based band One Nation. Martin Continued to entertain audiences around the San Francisco Bay Area with bands like Colorblind, the Green Wave and The Marin Allstars.
In 1991, Martin moved to Solano County, Calif., and formed the new One Nation, featuring veterans such as Danny Thomas of Con Funk Shun fame. During the O.J.Simpson trial, Martin wrote and produced a rap single entitIed "Did You Do It O.J.?" The song tells the Simpson saga from both points of view which received critical praise for providing a refreshing perspective that was lacking in much of the media coverage at the time. Martin distributed CDs on the steps of the Los Angeles courthouse and even slipped one directly in the hands of famous defense attorney, the late Johnny Cochran.
In September 2004, Martin wrapped up production on his new album, "King David's Throne" with producer Jimi Fischer, who has worked with such luminaries as The Temptations and Steve Winwood. "Anyway," the lead single received national airplay.
In addition to radio-friendly dance music, the album includes socially conscious message music such as "It's such a different world for me now. Things have so much since I was a kid. It's like,look at all the problems in the world," said Martin. "People need to really focus on what's important such as family and children."
The father of three girls,ages 15, 11 and 2, said that his children help him keep his finger on the pulse of current trends in music. "They've been an inspiration to me musically. They keep me young," he said, adding that his teenager, especially "keeps me on my toes and up to date?" Martin said that he is looking forward to returning to his roots, reuniting with extended family and friends and performing songs from his new album for Ohio audiences.
Following the success of the album's first single, Martel Records released the follow-up single, "Chillin" produced and arranged by urban reggae impresario Rankin' Scroo. A strong reggae influence can be heard on many of the tracks on "King David's Throne". "I grew up loving Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Third World. [Reggae] was a big influence in my life," said Martin, who has emceed numerous events, including the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, one of California's premier reggae festivals. "I listened to a lot of R&B, a lot of rock, a lot of classical. I think it all influences my music."
For more information on David Martin's upcoming performances and the album "King David's Throne," visit Davidmartinmusic.com or Cdbaby.com.
