Back Where He Belongs: A Musician Blessed with Soul

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By Ruth Ann Ruiz

The Post Newspaper Features Editor

He’s been a respiratory therapist with Shriners burn unit in Galveston for 36 years. The children he cares for inspire him—not just at work, but in his off hours as a musician.

“Working with the kids is what inspires me,” said Marty Garcia. “The true grit they show despite all that they have gone through—they believe in happiness and want to be happy. It’s what all kids want.”

As a returning, founding member of Mambo Jazz Kings (MJK), happiness is what he delivers to the band’s audience. Though he is not in the spotlight at the front of the stage, that’s the way he likes it.

“Marty and I met in 1966 at Steven F. Austin Junior High School,” said Art Lopez, director of  MJK. “We started the idea of getting a side band going, and Marty told us he was a singer, so we said come on, let’s do it. Marty just came and sang with a megaphone or something like that.”

Lopez went on to speak of the fun they had playing music at Christie’s Beachcomber, where they were paid with a soda pop and money from a tip jar.

“Marty was one hell of a front man,” expressed Lopez.

The two went different ways after high school. Lopez joined the Air Force and Garcia joined the Army.

When both returned to the area, still wanting to perform in a band together, Lopez learned that Marty had taken up playing organ via lessons from a local preacher. These new skills were incorporated into the band they formed as adults, MJK.

 He was singing from the organ bench while his fingers and feet coordinated to deliver the musical sounds of a warm texture with expressive dynamics to the soul music he loves.

Marty moved to playing the keyboard and discontinued singing while he was still performing with MJK.

Through the years he has played with several other bands in the area including; New Creation, Zaire and Tom Katz.  But the soul music of his youth in the East End of Galveston drew him back, and now he is once again playing with the Mambo Jazz Kings.

“I’m glad I’m back in the genre of music that I have always enjoyed,” said Marty. “I’ve always loved soul music—I grew up in the black neighborhood, and between Art and the black music, I kind of got adopted to soul music—this is a blessing to me to be playing the music I love.”

The Mambo Jazz Kings will be on stage for their 24th Mardi Gras show, bringing their soulful sound. Look for them on the Corona Main Stage, 2300 The Strand, Galveston, on Saturday, February 7 from 2:00 pm till 4:00 pm.