Vital Stats
 
Age: 52
Instruments: Vocals, saxophone, flute, clarinet (all woodwinds), harmonica, piano, guitar, percussion, etc. as heard on my CDs.
Bands you perform with: Groove Delux, J.J. Martin solo cyber jazz, J.J. and the Jazzberries, Steve Thorpe's Blues Orchestra, Swingin' Diamonds, Ron Gagney Project
Day job: Founder of the International Jazz Preservation Society (a nonprofit organization), musician, songwriter, poet, sound and lighting engineer, emcee, deejay/veejay, owner of Suncoast Entertainment, The Disc Jockey Shoppe.
     
Before returning to Daytona Beach, I worked in Miami as a captain in the U.S. Merchant Marine, piloting private yachts, commercial vessels and tour cruises by day and working as a musician at night. During one of my tour cruises, I contacted homeland security about a passenger who was asking all the wrong questions.
     
He turned out to be a terrorist with plans of blowing up cruise ships and bridges. Check out this true story and my media tour including appearances on Fox News, "Regis" and "Oliver North's War Stories" at my Captain's Web site: captainjjmartin.com.
 
Hometown: I grew up traveling from base to base. Born at Rhein-Main U.S.A.F. base in Frankfurt, Germany. Settled in Cocoa Beach.
Current residence: Daytona Beach
Type of music you perform: Jazz, blues, R&B, funk, soul, Caribbean, reggae, Latin, rock 'n' roll, classics to classical
Repertoire sampler: "Pleasure," "Mean Streets," "Little Wing," "No Regrets," "Package," "Lost Without You," "Playa Cardz Right," "Damaged," "Low Rider"
Upcoming area gigs: Biketoberfest, 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 16 through Oct. 18, Full Moon Saloon, 700 Main St., Daytona Beach
CDs: I'm currently finishing my new CD, "Sax Machine," available for $15 around December.
Web site: johnnyjjmartin.com.



Taking Notes
 
Who or what inspired you to take up music?
The many live small shows and large concerts I attended. I wanted to be up there!
 
You played in the Sheffield Horns backing Joe Cocker. What's one of your most memorable moments from that gig?
My first solo (and the crowd went wild!).
     
What was the most unusual or memorable gig you've ever played?
When I started playing solo cyber (with a computer song source). I didn't know if it would go over. It's now a regular gig.
 
What musician/celebrity/historical person would you most like to have dinner with?
Jesus Christ!
 
What was the last book you read?
"The Greatest Salesman in the World" by Og Mandino.
 
What CD/tape/music is in your car/home stereo/iPod right now?
The Black Sorrows.
 
What is your favorite movie?
"The Shawshank Redemption."
 
What was the best concert you ever attended?
Rolling Stones in Rio. My friend's company provided security and I got to meet Mick and the boys.
 
"If I didn't play music, I would ... ":
Never give up trying.
 
"I'd sell my soul for ...":
My soul's not for sale. I gave it away a long time ago -- got saved! The things I can change I pray for the best, but realize "it is what it is." Don't make what it's not."