Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of Sly and the Family Stone, Jerry Martini aka “Papa J” and Monique (KZMOHD Producer) sit down to share their experience at Sundance for the release of the documentary “Sly Lives” (aka The Burden of Black Genius), directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and produced by Joseph Patel.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Jerry Martini, Making A Special Appearance At Official Premiere of “SLY LIVES” Documentary
The legendary co-founder of Sly and the Family Stone, saxophonist Martini is credited by Sly Stone with starting the band in the 60s
Park City, Utah (January 21, 2025) – Founding member of the first, integrated, multi-gender American band, Jerry Martini, will arrive in Park City for the premiere of the Sly Lives documentary, directed by Ahmir (Quest Love) Thompson, at its Sundance premiere on Thursday, January 23rd.
.Recently Jerry Martini celebrated his 82nd birthday on October 1st, in Minneapolis, MN. Sharing the same birthday as President Jimmy Carter, Jerry played Happy Birthday on his beloved saxophone while Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood sang happy birthday to President Carter on his 100th birthday at the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Build Forward Bash.
“It was a great honor to be on stage with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, President Carter, who gave so much love to the world,” says Jerry Martini. Jerry went on to say . . .”It was a very special night of music celebrating President Carter’s latest housing project for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity called The Heights. It looked like a whole city of newly built homes for the community of Saint Paul, MN.
Jerry Martini, aka Papa J, has performed with countless music luminaries including Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, Chris Rock, Mike Bloomfield and Van Morrison. Martini also performed during the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, sharing the stage with Steven Tyler, Jee Beck and Randy Jackson. As a song writer, Martini wrote “One With The Sun” on Santana’s “Barbaletta album. Martini and female trumpeter, the late Cynthia Robinson toured with Larry Graham from 1997 to 2000 with Prince and performed on Prince’s 1999/2000 New Year’s Pay Per View special, “Rave Un2 The Year 2000.
In 1977, Martini started another successful funky rock group called “Rubicon,” releasing two albums before disbanding in 1979. Today, The Family Stone band can be seen touring the country performing the music of Sly and the Family Stone with Phunne Stone on vocals, who is the daughter of Cynthia Robinson and Sly Stone. Martini reflected on the success of Sly and the Family Stone and continues the legacy of the group by praising his touring band that includes: Swang Stewart, performing lead vocals, keys and guitar, Nate Wingfield (Guitar), Frank Klepacki (Drums), Blaise Sison (Bass) and Jimi McKinney (Keys), for keeping guests on their feet – dancing to the music that makes you feel good – paying homage to Sly and the Family Stone by keeping their unique sound in the hearts of EVERYDAY PEOPLE, who buy tickets to see them perform.
Watch this YouTube video of Sly Stone giving Jerry Martini credit for his vision shared of starting and leading the new band in 1966: Sly Stone: Portrait of a Legend – documentary (part 1 of 2) A great early 80’s documentary on Sly Stone from the Portrait of a Legend series . . .
Jerry Martini, aka Papa J is the original founder of Sly & the Family Stone. He is a founding member of the first inter-racial, multi-gender major American Band. He has also performed with countless luminaries including Mike Bloomfield, Carlos Santana, Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, Robert Cray, Willie Lomax, Prince, Graham Central Station, and Van Morrison. He is avid at horn arrangements as well as songwriting including “One With the Sun” on Santana’s “Barbaletta album among others. Through the millennial new year, he, along with Cynthia Robinson and Larry Graham, played with Prince on his 1999/2000 New Year’s Pay Per View special “Rave Un2 the year 2000”.
About Everyday People Project
The Everyday People Project will travel to cities across America spreading love and unity through the music of Sly and the Family Stone under the direction of its co-founder and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Jerry Martini. The Everyday People Project spreads love and human kindness through community partners that support music and art programs in marginalized communities. The Everyday People Project will tour cities with the greatest need and will provide a pre-determined amount of ticket sales to organizations that provide vital services in the community.
