Long Beach, CA (Top40 Charts/ Doug Deutsch Publicity Services) K.K.
Martin presents "Blues For The Rising Sun," a Long Beach-based Blues Relief Concert to aid the victims of Japan's earthquake and tsunami, Sunday, April 17, at The Gaslamp, 6251 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, Sunday, April 17, 4-10 p.m. No cover; all donations go to the Red Cross to aid victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Info: (562) 596-4718.
Entertainment that day to be provided by harpist Papa J and Friends; blues pianist, Ron Tanski; Texas-flavored blues ensemble, Cats-A-Renos;
Orange County's Roadside Revelers; and Long Beach residents, Johnna And the Copperheads, as well as Delta Blues-style guitarist-vocalist, K.K. Martin.
"When we heard the news of the Japan earthquake and Pacific Tsunami our first thought was "will this affect California and those that we love," said event organizer Martin. "Once it became clear that it would not, our thoughts turned to our brothers and sisters whose lives had been so profoundly impacted by this unforeseen and terrible disaster. We felt so lucky and full of gratitude. In our circles, we always talk about working together. We knew we had to do something to help all Japanese people who are working extremely hard to recover.
"As musicians,"
Martin continues, "we wished to turn our performances into a charity concert in aid of the vital relief efforts for the people of Japan. So Blues for the Rising Sun was conceived. We are partners. We need to act like it. We have put our arms around this, if we are going to exemplify the 'we're all in this together' ethos, we can only do it if we all work together."
"As members of this "Global Village" we are our brother's keeper and it is a responsibility we do not take lightly. I'm from Munroe, Louisiana. I understand what it means to be without. I still had family in Louisiana when (Hurricane) Katrina hit, and I had friends who lost everything. I wish I could have done something like this for them. Those people in Japan may not be blood relatives, family or friends but we're all from the same race: Human."
Martin has just released a CD, Naked Blues Vol. II to critical acclaim.
KK Martin - Background K.K.
Martin was a founding member, lead guitarist, singer and songwriter for 80's-era band A La Carte. The group gained considerable renown as one of the most in-demand groups on the then-vibrant Sunset Strip music scene. Exposed in the womb to the music of Jimmie Rodgers. Robert Johnson and Hank Williams, he began touring with his parents at age 10. K.K. was transplanted to California in 1969 and cut his teeth on the local L.A. rock scene at age 16, landing a brief stint with the Albert Collins backup band.
Martin has performed with a Who's-Who in the music business including Eric Burdon, Booker T, Rick Derringer, Johnny Winters, Blondie, and currently, Lester
Chambers of famed R&B/Soul group The
Chambers Brothers. K.K. was a recipient of "Outstanding Blues Artist" at the 9th Annual Los Angeles
Music Awards in 1999. In the last decade, Louisiana native
Martin has reconnected with his Blues roots. He toured with Lester
Chambers of the 60's
Chambers Brothers fame, recording a project with Lester called "Blues for Sale".
Martin has continued to play extensively throughout L.A. and
Orange County as a solo act, and will be performing at Real Blues Festival 2 in May of this year.
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