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

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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.

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The album features Marlon McClain, who offers the incredible guitar heard on the “Tom’s Diner” track, Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra and the late Wayman Tisdale.

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‘Tom’s Diner’ offers several singles including “Rise,” “Let’s Wait Awhile, ” “Summer”, a nod to Kool & the Gang’s “Summer Madness," and a smooth jazz rendition of a longstanding favorite “Tom’s Diner” featuring McClain, a member of the Pleasure and The Dazz Band. The new release has already received incredible feedback from listeners around the world, being hailed as a stunning instrumental interpretation of Suzanne Vega’s original song.

According to Martin, the decision to release a version of Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” came because, like many, he’s always enjoyed the song. He decided to capture it in his own style while honoring his first voice, the trumpet. The official video for the namesake single has already been released on YouTube, giving fans everywhere a first glimpse of this reinvigorated classic.

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