Everybody has an activity that brings them joy and makes them feel youthful. Music provides that for Andrew Martinez, director of the Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra, and the Lunch Break Big Band at City College. 

“That’s one thing that music does. Even though you get older, your hair turns grayer, you get bigger, more wrinkles. But inside you’re still an eternal kid,” Martinez said. 

Martinez grew up in Santa Barbara, where he started playing percussion at Goleta Valley Junior High. He picked up the saxophone when his music director at the time told all the students who were playing percussion instruments to pick a secondary instrument. 

“I ended up picking saxophone and finally found something I was really good at,” Martinez said. “I remember when I was a kid, being in the car with my mom hearing John Coltrane on the radio. I couldn’t believe he was just improvising all this stuff.” 

John Coltrane was a saxophonist in the 60’s. He was amongst the most influential jazz musicians and was famous for his improvisation with the saxophone in his songs. Coltrane’s style of jazz inspired the next generation of musicians including Martinez. 

After high school, he continued his education at the University of North Texas, where his love for music truly ignited. The University of North Texas is an extremely competitive school for musicians. 

“There were 120 saxophone players auditioning for 45 spots in a total of nine bands,” said Martinez. 

Working in such a competitive environment, his skills further developed. 

“I wasn’t just a big fish in a small pond, I was getting pushed. And just being around that energy and that community was just amazing,” said Martinez. 

Being surrounded by like minded individuals, he was able to get a deeper understanding of what he is truly passionate about.

“The first time I heard Andrew play I felt baited,” said Jim Mooy, assistant professor of music at City College. “The first chorus he eases you in, pulling you in. Then in the second chorus, you get a little more, and by the third chorus, it’s totally blowing you away, you’re like wow, I’ve been baited.’” 

Martinez has been the director of City College’s Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra since 2019 and has also taken the role of director for the Lunch Break Big Band this year, as Jim Mooy stepped down. 

“I met Jim Mooy, who was conducting the Lunch Break Big Band at the time. I had started going to practices and that’s how we connected,” said Martinez. “He asked me if I’d like to teach saxophone during the summer jazz band seminar he had been teaching. And then gradually, I got more opportunities to teach more students at City College and around the area. ” 

Having worked as a solo artist for most of his life, Martinez was faced with some challenges.

“This year is my first year directing both the Monday Madness Ensemble and the Lunch Break Big Band, and so it’s been quite the honor,” said Martinez. “But it’s also a challenge, I had to develop new tools in order to teach, a lot of which I didn’t pay attention to when I was going to school.”

Martinez reflected back to a student teacher he had at UNT. Will Campbell, who was traveling with a renowned musician, Harry Connick Jr, doing arena tours. A life Martinez had dreamed of living back then. 

After touring the country, Campbell had come back to teach. When Martinez asked why he came back, Campbell elaborated on his refined mindset. 

“Andrew, some people get joy out of playing with the world’s greatest rhythm section. Others get excited when they’re teaching a student and they suddenly get it.”  Campbell said.

After having lived both ends of the spectrum Martinez understands the joy of teaching the next generation. 

Martinez came across a newfound appreciation for music when he changed his career path to teaching.

 “Seeing the light go on in students’ heads when you explain a concept, and they get it. That is why I do it,” Martinez said.

“It’s much more fulfilling within your soul because you’re helping someone. I think that’s why we’re here, to help and give information to not make the same mistakes again,” said Martinez. “As all the people who came before me were gracious enough to pass their knowledge down to me, I want to be able to help those who come after.”