Take Five With Dave Martin

Meet Dave Martin: Dave Martin has been producing music for more than twenty years; recent project include Carolyn Martin's Swing, Vickie Carrico's Never Been Hurt, and Jeff Skorik's Love Songs. He's recorded bands and singers too numerous to mention, and is the owner and operator of Java Jive Studio, in Nashville, TN.

As a bassist, Dave's performed and recorded with singers well known, once known, and unknown; with bands playing all kinds of music; from show tunes to riff rock, from second line to polkas, and from blues to Beethoven. And he's performed with the All Bass Orchestra. Duke Ellington once said, "There are only two kinds of music, good music and bad music. Dave has played both.

Instrument(s): Bass.

Teachers and/or influences? Ray Brown, Tim Bogart, Eddie Gomez, Johnny Smith.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when... ...as soon as I started playing

Your sound and approach to music: Music isn't defined by genre, only by quality. Therefore, I try to play good music (unless I'm being paid a lot, in which case, I'll settle for money).

Your teaching approach: I tell my students that the craft is at least as important as the art; developing the craft of playing and performing music necessitates a firm grasp not only of the technical aspects of playing an instrument, but a knowledge of all music - whether closely related to what the student wants to play or not.

Anecdote from the road: it was kind of unusual to be the first Americans staying in a small (former)East German town since about 1945... walking around, we could see curtains in the houses move as people peered out at us...

Favorite venue: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why? Carolyn Martin's Swing CD - www.cdbaby.com/cd/carolynmartin2. As the producer, I think that it's the best record I've ever done, and as a bassist, I'm not ashamed of the way I played on it.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically? I try to help artists focus on their strengths, and help them create the project that they imagine.

Did you know... I played sousaphone in high school.

How do you use the internet to help your career? Primarily e-mail, though I have a studio site as well as a site for my label, Cuppa Joe records. I also spend a certain amount of time at audio forums (I'm a moderator on at least two forums), and try to maintain a certain presence in a few music forums.

CDs you are listening to now: Joey DeFrancesco. Goodfellas; Spike Jones, Spike Jones Is Murdering the Classics; Peggy Lee, Miss Peggy Lee; Spade Cooley, Anthology; Jimmy Smith, Dot Com Blues.

Desert Island picks: Ella Fitzgerald, Live In Berlin; Rosemary Clooney, Songs From The Girl Singer; Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery, Dynamic Duo; Count Basie, The Complete Decca Recordings.

How would you describe the state of jazz today? Interesting.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing? Young people have to be interested, and learn to play.

What is in the near future? Currently mixing a trad/jazz project with the Titan Hot 7, a western swing project for John England and the Western Swingers, and finishing a bluegrass/classical project of my own. And of course, I'm looking for new acts to produce or record.

By Day: Does owning a recording studio count? www.javajivestudio.com

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