If you have taken History of American Pop and Rock and Roll, you know who professor Robert Martinez is. If you haven’t taken the class, you have probably at least heard stories.
The San Bernardino native has been teaching at BC for 17 years. Martinez is a professor of music, and, along with teaching about the history of rock ‘n’ roll, he is the conductor for the Desert Community Orchestra in Ridgecrest. This is the first year of his career at BC that the professor is not the conductor for the BC orchestra.
If you have heard any of his stories, you know professor Martinez had a very busy and exciting life before coming to BC. Martinez has been involved in composing, conducting, performing and teaching music.
“Two things inspired me,” Martinez said when asked how his love for music started. He then referred to watching a live rock ‘n’ roll concert while in grade school, and seeing Leonard Bernstein performing.
In the 1960s Martinez toured as a drummer with the Calvin Jackson Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, and also played drums in rock ‘n’ roll bands.
“I spent my life being a pro musician first,” Martinez said.
In 1975 Martinez graduated from San Diego State University, with a master’s degree in Music Composition.
He then started a new path in his music career by composing commercial music.
Martinez later got a job teaching college preparatory music in L.A. County, but he decided he wanted to work with more serious musicians.
“There was an opportunity to teach music, and I was fortunate enough to get it,” the professor explained when asked about getting a job at BC.
Martinez said his musical taste, “Depends on my mood.” He then stated that he listened to serious classical music, rock ‘n’ roll, country, jazz and film music.
When asked who his favorite artist or band was, Martinez grinned, then he began to name his favorite artists in each genre.
He started with classical music and Mozart, moved on to jazz and Duke Ellington, and last rock ‘n’ roll, naming the Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles.
“Mostly I love music that has meaning in its performance.when the music touches heart and soul, and not just the mind.” Martinez paused, then said, “And you can quote me on that.”
Martinez described his best musical experience playing flute on the “Today Show” at the Bicentennial Celebration in San Diego.
Martinez said he favors playing the flute and drums in all styles of music. He is not currently performing with these instruments and when asked if he planned to again Martinez replied, “The world is open to me.I’m just beginning.”