People Get Ready | skipmartinmusic

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

'TOM'S DINER'

“My first voice was the trumpet. I had to honor that.”

Skip Martin

Toms Diner Vinyl Jacket PRINT_edited_edi

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Credits

Executive Produced by Skip Martin

Produced by Skip Martin, Tom Schuman

Trumpet. Vocals & Arrangements: Skip Martin

Engineers: Jack "JackEL" Lozeron, Clarence "Dr. Bobb" Ross, Tom Schuman

Mixing: Jack "JackEL" Lozeron, Clarence "Dr. Bobb" Ross, Tom Schuman

Mastering: Herb Powers (Tom's Diner), Jack "JackEL" Lozeron & Tom Schuman

Vinyl Mastered by Phil Soussan for Blue Cat Tales

Photo Credit: Shawn Blair

Artwork: Jonathan Moskaluk, Kill The Box Design

About This Project

Skip Martin, Grammy & Emmy Award-winning vocalist, trumpeter, songwriter, and producer—best known for his legendary tenure with Kool & the Gang and The Dazz Band—returns with a bold new solo project: Tom’s Diner. This genre-blending album is a vibrant tribute to timeless songwriting, anchored by Martin’s love of melody and his "first voice": the trumpet.

Inspired by Suzanne Vega’s iconic hit, the lead single “Tom’s Diner” showcases Martin’s masterful reinterpretation, bringing a fresh, jazzy energy to the classic while preserving its hypnotic charm. Released earlier this year, the track features a standout trumpet performance and set the stage for the full album’s colorful journey.

Tom’s Diner serves up a musical “menu” that guides listeners through “Breakfast,” “Lunch,” and “Dinner” — each course filled with rich sonic textures, unexpected collaborations, and a fusion of jazz, R&B, funk, and soul.

The album artwork reflects this vibrancy with a splash of energetic color, echoing the spirit and groove within the music.

Highlights include:

“Tom’s Diner” feat. Marlon McClain – a soulful trumpet-forward take on the Vega classic.
“Tell Me” and “Let’s Wait Awhile” – reimagined classics that explore the depth of Martin’s vocal and instrumental versatility.
“Summer” feat. Tom Schuman – a breezy, layered jazz track cover of Kool & the Gangs Summer Maddnes perfect for warm nights.
“Heaven Can Wait” – a heartfelt closer reflecting themes of love and legacy.

With Tom’s Diner, Skip Martin delivers a deeply personal, sonically adventurous, and joyously nostalgic experience that reaffirms his place as a visionary in modern music.

About The Artists

Marlon McClain is a legendary guitarist, songwriter, and producer best known for his work with the pioneering funk and R&B bands Pleasure and the Grammy-winning Dazz Band. As a founding member of Pleasure, McClain helped shape the band’s signature blend of jazz, funk, and soul, contributing to classics like “Glide” and “Joyous.” He later joined the Dazz Band, known for their hit “Let It Whip,” adding his distinct sound to their electrifying stage presence and chart-topping success. With a career spanning decades, McClain has worked with a wide range of artists across genres and continues to produce, record, and innovate through his solo projects and collaborations.

Wayman Tisdale was a chart-topping jazz bassist and former NBA star whose smooth, melodic playing helped redefine contemporary jazz. After a standout 12-year professional basketball career, Tisdale fully embraced his lifelong passion for music, releasing 8 acclaimed albums that blended funk, soul, and jazz with signature warmth and groove. His breakout album Power Forward and the No. 1 Billboard jazz hit Ain’t No Stoppin’ Me Now solidified his place among the genre’s elite. Known for his infectious spirit and uplifting sound, Wayman collaborated with top artists and left an indelible mark on the world of smooth jazz.

All Things 'Tom's Diner'

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Grammy-winner Skip Martin is leading a dynamic and heartfelt crusade, with 29 major recording artists that have joined together... Combining the legends from R&B, country, rock and gospel, bringing an earth-moving sound, to this timely rendition of Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready".

Yahoo.com

“People Get Ready” contains so much in such a short ride…the train of life keeps moving and it’s up to all of us to invite everyone on that journey. This song makes that dream feel and sound possible.

Garth Thomas-Hollywood Digest

Skip Martin and his friends have taken the “People Get Ready” baton and honor its legacy. This song continues to be a driving force, and a spiritual gift to humanity. Music, after all, connects us all. What better way to continue giving back to the community and creating special bonds than the amazing song “People Get Ready”. Skip Martin and his friends are just stunning.

Mindy McCall, Indie Pulse Music