Arranger/Producer Bobby Martin 1930-2013

[Zoneboy]

Grammy Award-winner, a San Diego resident, arranged 'Soul Train' TV theme and worked with Whitney Houston, The O'Jays and others

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Bobby Martin worked mostly behind the scenes, but his musical contributions were heard by millions, thanks to his luminous work with such greats as Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, The O'Jays, the Bee Gees, jazz sax great Benny Golson and a young R&B vocal dynamo named Patti Holt, whom he renamed Patti LaBelle. A 10-year resident of Eastlake in San Diego's South Bay region, Martin was 83 when he passed away here Friday. The cause was "an unexpected illness," according to Belinda Foster, his publicist.

A mainstay of the famed Philadelphia Sound that dominated much of soul music in the early and mid 1970s, Martin excelled as a producer, arranger and songwriter. His best known arrangements included Billy Paul's 1972 chart-topper, "Me and Mrs. Jones," and the infectious theme song to the weekly TV series "Soul Train." His many other credits included records he made with artist as varied as The Jacksons, Dusty Springfield, Lou Rawls, Etta James, Lesley Gore, Wilson Pickett, Archie Bell and jazz saxophonist John Handy. He won a Grammy Award in 1978 for his arranging work on songs on the film soundtrack for “Saturday Night Fever.”

Martin first began to gain attention in 1959. It was then, after a stint playing in the band of jazz luminary Illinois Jacquet, that Martin began working with a young, all-female vocal group. At his suggestion, the group renamed itself Patti LaBelle & The Blue-Belles. His impeccable, jazz-honed arranging skills quickly attracted the attention of two aspiring songwriters and producers, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who in the 1970s earned international fame as the heads of Philadelphia International Records.

Gamble & Huff, as they were known, brought Martin to their label early on. He soon was adding his magic touch to classic records by Paul, The O'Jays, The Three Degrees, MFSB, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Intruders, Jerry Butler, Lou Rawls and more.

Gamble & Huff paid tribute to Martin in a joint statement, saying: "He was the greatest arranger. We were able to work together with him to come up with a fantastic sound. He was part of a group of arrangers with us that included Thom Bell, Norman Harris and Roland Chambers, and a vital part of the MFSB team who made major contributions. Bobby was tireless. He used to work all night on arrangements for us. Remembering his work ethic, and what it was like to just be around him, reminds us what a great time it was to be in the music business... We send our sincere condolences to the Martin family. He will be truly missed."

A native of Lockland, Ohio, Martin was born May 4, 1930. Inspired by jazz vibraphone pioneer Lionel Hampton, Martin started off playing vibes and marimba. In high school, he was good friends with fellow student Frank Foster, a budding jazz saxophonist, composer and arranged who went on to play in (and later lead) the Count Basie Orchestra. He cited Foster as an early inspiration and mentor.

"Lionel Hampton was my biggest influence when I (first) heard him in 1946," Martin told an interviewer. "(Working With) Gamble & Huff, it wound up into a long career of hit records."

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[Penny Lane]

RIP