Lowell's Music "Gig" Resume
Musical Work History (selected highlights)
1962 - 1964 - First band, "The Playboys", Arlington, Virginia - every weekend - precociously nostalgic high school kids playing "covers" (50's "oldies") of Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Link Ray, Little Richard, Sam Cook; "Soul", "Grease", and "Do-Wop".
1965 - The Gaiety Burlesque Theatre - 9th. Street, Washington D.C. -
7 days per week - 3 months.
1965 - "Sonny Gordon's Original Outcasts" featuring Roy Buchannan - Seven nights per week- House band at Rands Rock 'N Roll Club, 14th & I Street, NW, D.C. - Motown "Soul" featuring "covers" of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, the Isley Brothers, James Brown.
1966 - 1968 - The "Grandeurs" * - 9 piece Motown (weekend) touring band featuring "covers" of the Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell .
1966 - 1968 - Percussionist with the Richmond Symphony *
* These were simultaneous seasonal gigs with optimally offset schedules
1969 - Lowell Martin Trio" (bandleader) jazz, pop, variety - six nights per week in Richmond, Va.
1970 -1971 - Cross-country tour as drummer/soloist/musical director with "Little Egypt", the belly dancer, the highlight of which was a spot on the Johnny Carson Show.
1972 - 1975 - Country & Rock bar bands (Deep Creek Lake, Md.) featuring "covers" of Elvis, Hank Williams, George Jones, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, etc.
1976 -1977 - Cabaret, Show Tunes, Variety, Jazz - 6 nights per week House Band at the "International Inn" in D.C. for 18 months - (band leader for last six months).
1978 - 1986 - Fort Myer Officers' Club Lamplighter Lounge House Band - Swing, Pop, Lounge Variety music for dance-oriented audience plus Wedding Gigs and Special Parties.
1987 - 2001 - Freelance - Study
2001 - Nightwatch - Classic Rock Band with a strong Elvis foundation.
2002 - 2003 - Lionel Ward & The New World Band - Dynamic Elvis Tribute Show - (played with show during the 25th year of Elvis' passing).
2203 - Joined Takoma Crossing - (Relatively new-to-the-scene) Bar Band specializing in obscure 'old school' oriented Jump Blues Repertoire.
2004 - Present - Renamed Takoma Crossing Band "GrooveQuest" - Reinvented Band as a unique synthesis - a dynamic, creative, catalyst of Impassioned Inspiration. Began a Phenomenological/Existential Spiritual Encounter/Psychodrama - Rock 'n Roll Art Project & adventure with co-band leader/partner, Lisa O'Brien, aka 'Groovestress'.
Education Background
BA- Music Education -1973 - Percussion major - Virginia Commonwealth University
Master of Arts & Education in Human Development - 1982 - George Washington University
Musically Relevant Hobby
1958 - 1964 - Lowell served as the Virginia State representative for the International
Jerry Lee Lewis Fan Club - thereby soaking in the positive karma of the glory days of Rock [as exemplified by Jerry Lee Lewis' original, unique, performance-art blend of authentic, spontaneous, exuberant, primal self-expression, and world class musical - rhythmic - vocal facility!]
Go to Lowell's main page
Go to Lowell's Bio
Go to 1964 Washington Star Article with Lowell