Blue Nile 12.18.09 - The Future is Now.

I always enjoy playing at the Blue Nile. It's one of the three clubs in New Orleans that I consider landmarks in my musical career. When I was in high school I played every Sunday at the Maple Leaf with Trombone Shorty to next to nobody. It's also where I played less than 48 hours before Hurricane Katrina... when we paraded around uptown not knowing what was in store for us. When things started to pick up, we played almost twice a month over at the Blue Nile. The crowds ranged from sparse to sold out. It was home. We used to play 5 hour sets !! How did we ever accomplish that!? Eventually, through the Tips Foundation and the ever growing shows I played there with Trombone Shorty, Tipitinas became a favorite of mine. Each of these buildings are special not only to me but to anyone who frequents them.

Blue Nile was special last Friday when, for the second time, I played there with my own band "Happy Jack Frequency", warming up the stage for the Soul Rebels. The air was vibrant; the music and energy flowing before the first downbeat was ever counted off. The Saints were at 13-0, still undefeated and there was an NFL Network camera crew set up to tape excerpts of the show.

Armed with our Saint's t-shirts and a new set list that we had been rehearsing diligently over the past few weeks we hit the stage opening up with the Beatles' Come Together and The King's of Leone's Use Somebody. Man, did we sound good. Hands down, this was our best show as a group. Accompanied by the tremendous efforts of our bassist Charles Lumar learning the music only one week before the show (our other bass player is in national guard boot camp right now), the band hit a musical high. Guitarist Matt Clark and I worked out some vocal harmonies and I even brought my saxophone to take some solos. Why hadn't I been doing that before?



Looking back at the last decade of my musical career, (the weekly gig at Maple Leaf began in 2001) so much has changed. Record companies have died, MTV no longer plays music, and youtube and facebook have become (what seems to be) the source of everything. And all this without mentioning 9/11 or Katrina, or anything else. It was never simple, but I feel as if things are less clear cut right now; which is both beautiful and appalling at the same time. Where do we go from here? To where do I, as a musician or a band leader chart my course? The future is now and the slate has been wiped as clear as it will be for our lifetimes... most likely.

The truth is that we have nowhere to go, but have the ability to go anywhere we could (or couldn't) possibly imagine.

The time is now... this little project of mine, is about to become 10 times greater than before but i won't count those eggs before they're hatched so...

stay tuned to the Happy Jack Frequency.

Love Letter to the World

Music is music and can always be enjoyed, but some songs rise above all others and touch us in a place that is more human and primal than we could ever imagine had existed. The energy of the moment reaches into us and massages that small invisible string that connects us all and for a moment, we are gripped by something more powerful and knowing than us or the artist. My friends, you've experienced the warm embrace of God.

The funny part is that we're taught that we're individuals and that we are each unique (which is quite true) but just as equally are we all connected and equal. Aren't we all distant cousins in the end? From either the church or the scientists view, we were all created by something whether it be a primordial "man" or a one cell organism in the ocean. At one point our ancestors were directed and that which is earthly (physical and mental) evolved. To say were are animals is a truth but it's equally an understatement to the human potential.

What I've learned is that what separates us from most other living organisms is our power and our desire to improve ourselves mentally and physically. More people are running marathons (26.2 miles) than ever because we (humans) generally love pushing ourselves beyond our "limits".

As an artist, I push myself consistently and look up toward the masters for admiration and guidance. I've been learning on piano the song by Claude Debussy "Claire De LA Lune" which isn't easy by any means. But the beauty of this masterpiece drives me to it. It has pushed me further because when Debussy's brilliance and emotion drip from my hand to the keyboard, the composer and I are connected (as all humans are) but in a special and imitate way.

Great and popular songs will be massed produced as frequently as mcdonalds hamburgers but in the end nothing can compare to a piece of music that grips you inside and with one simple vibration, changes your mood, your outlook, and anything else that needs a positive twirl. That's the beauty of music!

And so how does one achieve this? Well, through practice, talent, and understanding that every true artist must suffer and feel that when he writes that song, or paints that picture, he is painting the reflection of God. The God of christianity, islam, hindu, judaism, and governing science of tao. Music has achieved something no church in history has... a direct and tangible image of existence... one with hierarchy... the power of music just IS.

The words are limited but the love is infinite and our lives are a roller coaster, any way you spin it.

1: Find the Truth
2: Adhere
3. Live


Love,

James

Happy Jack Frequency Biography

Happy Jack Frequency is the solo project of New Orleans musician James Martin. Still in his early 20’s, James has earned his stripes by performing on three different continents and forty-two of the fifty Unites States of America. In addition to his experience, James also has had the advantage of working alongside greats such as Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and Lenny Kravitz for example. His hast gig included tours and studio work as a founding member of the New Orleans favorite, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave.

It was during this time that James honed himself as a performer and a songwriter. He made it his challenge to captivate the crowd when he took stage but to also captivate them with the words and music of his songs. “When I was a little kid, I would put on shows for my family. My grandmother would announce me and I would run down the hall into the living room to sing and dance to a record” Nothing much has changed in the past 20 years or so and James always knew that he would be on stage one day singing his own songs to large crowds. This is something James considers a true blessing.

A studious performer, James has evolved into a charismatic front man; a skill that rivals only his crafty songwriting. “On the current release which I made at Music Shed Studios with Grammy Award winning Chris Finney, many of the songs were written between the years of 2005 up till the beginning of 2009. And so much of what I was going through during those times, Hurricane Katrina, love, pain, heartbreak, fighting back through marathon running and marathon music making… all these concepts find their ways into the lyrics and context.”

Interestingly enough, James always asks for outside opinions but records full demos of the songs he’s currently writing as part of his creative process. So by the end of 2008, James had amassed about 3 albums worth of material which he decided to cut down to 1 album to record professionally in a top notch studio. Having already been through the recording process for the self made demos, James went into the studio and recorded all the various parts and instruments himself minus most of the percussion which was done by in the demand studio drummer Joey Peebles.

The result exceeded James’ expectations and so suddenly what was to be a songwriting demo became a full blown album. As James began shopping around his album looking for shows and opportunities the question would always arise “The band sounds good, what’s the name, and who else is playing?” “Well, aside from some of the drum parts, it’s just me” James would say uncomfortably”. But all this was about to change. James hired his long time bassist friend Matthew Sexton to fill the bottom, guitarist Matt Clark to make the songs shine, and Drummer Eric Heigle to help put that tap in your foot.

Know a full four piece band playing all of James’ original music plus several great covers, Happy Jack Frequency has been tearing up local New Orleans Venues such as Tipitinas, One Eyed Jacks, Howlin’ Wolf, and the Blue Nile.

Happy Jack Frequency offers an intoxicating hit of energy both prevalent in their music and live shows. With a genuine and honest combination of pop rock and electronic, Happy Jack Frequency delivers a can't miss sound.

Monday Morning Live

  
Download now or listen on posterous

Monday Morning Live.mp3 (3018 KB)

James Martin

JamesMartin@JamesMartinMusic.com

www.HappyJackFrequency.com

Posted via email from jamesmartin's posterous

Tipitina's 8/27/09

There's just something about Tipitina's that can't be paralleled anywhere else. I've played the Filmore in New York, that was fun. I've played the American Embassy 4th of July party in Paris... Also fun... But over the last decade of my professional experience I've enjoyed playing at Tipitina's so much more. I needed to make a great showing there with my own group. Well... Mission Accomplished!! Musically, it was our best show to date. The energy was superb, the sound was great, and each member of the band knew it and carried their own part to the 10th degree. This equation equals fun for the band and fun for the band equals fun for the audience and from there it's just a big circular effect.

We changed up the set a little bit and played a new song... Addicted To You... which is available for listening and download from this very blog. We also had CD's for sale as well as t-shirt give-a-ways. The t-shirts were a big hit and as I threw out the newly pressed shirts the atmosphere was feverish. Several members of the audience even made sure to change as soon as they got their shirts. So cool. With that said, I apologize to those who were unable to get shirts or CD's because we sold out of both. Our next show is at cafe Prytania on September 12th and I'll have more of both there.

I'll also post up some pictures by local photographer Jerry Moran from the show. I can't wait to see them. Jerry showed me some samples and they looked amazing.

You're tuned to the Happy Jack Frequency... next stop, Cafe Prytania September 12.

James

Circle Bar - 7.25.09

Always on the run, I had just come from a wedding of some friends of mine from highschool. Congratulations Sandy and Robert. It was a nice wedding and it was great seeing all the old friends. It was hard leaving early to go to the show but I was pumped about playing that night and eager to perform.

The more we play the better it gets and coming off of a great show at One Eyed Jacks last week, I was impressed that we were able to kick it up a notch at Circle Bar. There's just something about the intimacy of that club that just really gets it going. It's a special place (as are so many others in New Orleans). John Marcey, on his second show with us, really started showing his chops as a guitar player and let loose on a few amazing solos. It's always fun when you can tell the other band members are having a blast.

I've been getting alot of response from our rendition of House of the Rising Sun. BTW, it was Matthew Sexton's (bassist) idea to play that one. The thing I've been hearing alot is "I like how you mashed up House of the Rising Sun with St. James Infirmary". There's a history lesson here and I was talking to a fan last night about this. Don, I hope you're reading this:

Don was at an Animals show at the House of Blues and overheard Eric Burdon of the Animals taking credit for writing House of the Rising Sun... ehhhhhh... I don't think so!! As with many folk songs, it's often debated where they came from our who penned/contributed what but the original recordings of House of the Rising Sun were done in the 1930s. One of those recordings was done by Alan Lomax. The song was being performed and recorded in the 40's more commercially by legends such as Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie. In 1960 it was recorded by John Baez. Bob Dylan recorded it in 1962 on his first self-titled album. Dylan also apparently thinks he wrote the song and often takes credit for it as well but stopped playing it because when the Animals released it 2 years later it became so popular that fans accused Dylan of doing a lousy Animals cover.

So why does House of the Rising Sun and St. James Infirmary work so well together? THEY EVOLVED FROM THE SAME FOLK SONG!!! Which is most likely an 18th century English ballad known as Unfortunate Rake. Louis Armstrong made St. James Infirmary international in 1928. Billie Holiday performed it as did Joe Cocker and even Van Morrison who recorded it on his 2003 Grammy Nominated album What's Wrong With this Picture?.

Renew, Reuse, Recycle. The battles of yesterday are the battles of today and they all make for great lyrics. It's all been sung before. Evolution is a pretty fascinating thing, especially when we can pinpoint it in music. Where are the origins before the 18th century? What land or civilization will it take us to? We're all connected here. All I know is that some unknowing English family is probably due a gazillion dollars in royalties for their great grandfather's battle with gambling and prostitution.

One Eyed Jacks - 7/17/09

I had been waiting for this date for awhile. Flowtribe is always a great band to see live and after checking The Gills out on myspace I was an instant fan. It also marked an end of an intensive two week period where I was teaching a music summer camp for young children and still playing gigs till the wee hours in the morning. Summer is always rough for live shows in New Orleans... it's hot, people are on vacation, and all those college kids are back home but everyone did such a great job promoting the show that a few hundred people showed up. It was great. People were dancing and jumping around enjoying those drink specials by superfly vodka and of course I was sporting my "Brad Pitt for Mayor" t-shirt from the guys at Storyville that also helped put the show on.

Getting rid of my pre-show jitters and physical pain (physical exhaustion), I took a healthy shot of Jack before going on stage. Yes! I know, One Eyed Jacks, Happy Jack, Jack Daniels. I hadn't had time to eat dinner and wow did that jack hit the spot. We kicked the set off with Can't Explain by the Who. The great John Marcey who was filling in on guitar had a screaming solo and people were way into it. By the time we played Piece of Mind and Center of the Universe, the crowd (which was steadily growing) was moving toward the dance floor and getting into the music. Our little medley of Monday Morning, House of the Rising Sun, and St. James Infirmary was followed by our version of Sunshine of Your Love. It was great seeing everybody singing along and moving to the music. That's what it's all about. From there we said our fairwells and closed out the show with "Tammy". I think it's one of the best songs I've had a part in making. Me and Q. Corvette put that one together. It's so fun to play, easy to dance to, and a lyrically humourous and playful. This seems to be where my writing is going. Which makes me want to play more of my unreleased material in the live shows. I think next Saturday at the Circle Bar, I'll bring my synth and we'll start playing some of them. By the way, anyone who wants to here the demoed versions of my latest material need only to ask for them.

I stayed around for the rest of the night. The Gills were fantastic. I really want to hear them live again or even share some more dates with them. They make me want to up my game. I love that. By the time Flowtribe hit the stage I was jumping around and dancing myself. It was such a great time.

You're tuned to the Happy Jack Frequency... next show is July 25th at Circle Bar. It will be a benefit for Silent Cinema who recently had ALL of their equipment stolen. Come support your live local music and join the happening.

James

Behind the Music #1 - Monday Morning

Out of all the songs I've recorded recently, Monday Morning is by far the oldest. 2005 was a crazy year. I was hired (and fired) from Lenny Kravitz' world tour and then Katrina came along changed everything. It was rough and partly because these things separated me from the band I was in at the time (Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave.) and public performance (which I'm addicted to). It also brought me closer to what I've always wanted to do, write music.

I started out on guitar and learned saxophone to play guitar in the high school jazz band. I took a liking to the sax and wound up majoring in Jazz Saxophone in college. Being a professional saxophonist and a full-time college student with two majors, guitar found it's temporary place on the back burner. However, with everything that was going on in 2005, I started playing the guitar more. I started writing again.

For the most part, all the songs I wrote in 2005 were horrible. But all horrible songs have minute glimmers of hope and lead to better songs and ideas. This is how Monday Morning came to be. The songs is simple: Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus and it sounds like a Beatles song (I was listening to Beatles at the time).

It's a Katrina/Love song. It's about surviving and yet losing in the process. The first line "Monday Morning has left me dry" is a direct metaphorical reference to Hurricane Katrina which hit New Orleans on a Monday Morning. I had evacuated and escaped the floods but was empty because of it. I was left dry for better or for worse.

The second motif in the song refers to a girl I met in Rome in early January 2006. It was one of those meetings where you feel like you've known a complete stranger all of your life. It was great. It was my first kiss. A beautiful Brazilian in Rome. Completely unreal. Poetically beautiful and tragic at the same time because my stay with her eventually came to an end... when I "whispered softly and got on a train"... a train to Napoli. Man was that ever a painful experience. The train was so crowded I had to sit on the floor and I was exhausted from the lack of sleep, and I was missing her.

"Thinking about you every night and day" are the written lyrics. What actually saying is "Thinking about Ju..." My "friends" nickname. I love sneaking subtle yet direct messages into the lyrics.

Anyway, some time after Rome, we both had a dream that I was singing this song with my band and she was there at the concert. A bit grandoise considering that the songs wasn't quite in style with what the band was playing at the time and I was rarely featured as a vocalist or songwriter in that group. Two years later, the bands sound had changed, they wanted to learn the song, and incredibly she just so happened to be in Miami (she had never been to the US before) when my band was playing there and I got to sing the song to her. It was the most powerful feeling I had ever felt on the stage.

Sweet/Sour...Love/Pain...Winning/Losing... opposites, yes, but they are dependent on eachother.

We are survivors because we have lost.

It's All in the Name

People ask "why Happy Jack Frequency?" So, to simultaneously answer all of ya'll...

I'm a big fan of Steven King. Not because I necessarily like his genre but because I like the way he paints colorful pictures with words. He creates new ways to ignite the imagination and as a songwriter, I admire that. Anyway, reading The Shining by King, there is a point where Jack Torrance is going insane and hallucinating. One of these hallucinations is a radio saying "you're tuned into the Happy Jack Frequency". Bam! My grandfather and his family once lived in a small town in Plaquemines Parish Louisiana called... Happy Jack. I spent alot of my youth there as did 4 or 5 generations behind me. I like my family history. I like parallels. Most of my songs are created using parallels so it was only necessary, I suppose, that my bands name should also be derived from a parallel.

It's an eternal vibration... such as existence itself... no beginning and no end but rather a continual hum that is as soft and as over powering as the waves of the ocean.

You're tuned into te Happy Jack Frequency.

Welcome

Hello world, my name is James Martin and this is the Happy Jack Happening, the official blog of James Martin and Happy Jack Frequency. Essentially, I'll be using this space to talk about the band, the past, the present, the songs, and all the back stories.

Enjoy !