BIO : Martha High was born in Victoria, Virginia and raised in Washington, DC. While attending high school Ms. High joined “The Jewels”, a Washington, DC based female singing group. “The Jewels” caught the ears and eyes of James Brown and soon became the opening act for his shows traveling extensively with his revue. Their first album debut with James Brown was in 1967. Mr. Brown recorded and released several records featuring “The Jewels” prior to their breakup. However, Ms. High stayed with Mr. Brown for 32 years as the leader and member of Mr. Brown’s background vocal groups - “The Soul Twins”, Martha And The Honeybees” Martha and the Lazers”, and “The Bittersweet”.
In 2000 Ms. High left the James Brown Band to pursue a solo career. Her latest single is entitled “The Big Payback” and is Ms. High’s tribute to The Godfather of Soul Mr. James Brown. In 2008 Ms HIGH come live with the Shaolin Soul Defenders (french group) with a tour and a brand new cd. She's actually in studio in Paris ... Interview !

Fonkadelica : Thanks U Miss Martha HIGH, for accepting our interview …

Fonkadelica : Our first question is in the memory of the Godfather of Soul, Mister Brown, who died last year. What was your reactions, our feelings when you realised that he was dead ?

Martha HIGH : At first ... I was in disbelief ; totally not accepting. Saying, "this can't be true".
How did they let this happen. I'm speaking of all the people constantly around him. Why didn't they look after him better than that ? I was hurt ; I felt this would not have happened, if I was there. I kept my eye on him, all the time. I knew when he was sick or not.

Fonkadelica : Tell us about your best reminds with him ? Best moments ?

Martha HIGH : I remember his million dollar smile ; how he loved his hair to be almost perfect ; he loved compliments of how he dressed and how he loved to sit around sometimes and tell jokes. Mr. Brown love to laugh at times. He wanted to see who could tell the funniest jokes. He always thought his jokes were the funiest (not) ha,ha,ha,ha !

Fonkadelica : Is there some badest moments ? Some bad days with him ?

Martha HIGH : Yes there were moments and days of bad feelings. I never liked being around him when he had arguments with his wife. His unhappy moods would be taken out on us by having rehearsal's that lasted for hours.

Fonkadelica : What is the better lesson you remind from him ?

Martha HIGH : Stay on top of your business, be in control of your life. Give 100% on stage, whether you have 20 person's or 20,000. Always give a smile to your audience ; they thought enough of you to come to the show, let them know you appreciate there presence.

Fonkadelica : For You, is the homage was good ? Good as the popularity of the man ? Or it could be better, and why ?

Martha HIGH : Good knowing such an extra ordinary man. Mr. Brown, created "Funk", he mastered it. He heard every note it took to get the groove's he put down. Yes Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Bobby Byrd, laid it down what he wanted but it wouldn't stop there ; he'd come right behind them and put his touches to it ... and it would be on like popcorn ! I really don't think, the funk that J.B., created can get any better, but it's still deeply appreciated by all. The music became popular, from the Man !

Fonkadelica : You lost some good friends last year, James B, Bobby Bird, Lyn Collins ……. What are your feelings about that ?

Martha HIGH : I'm very sad....there was a tour being planned for Bobby and he had said to me,...he wanted me to be on tour with him and I had accepted. I really haven't gotten over his death. Bobby Byrd, was truly a brother to me, such a loving warm hearted person ; he and his wife Vicky Anderson always opened there home to whomever needed help or a place to stay. My children and I had lived with his family in the past. Our children grew up as cousins.
I always felt Mr. Brown, would be there for me forever. Even tho I hadn't worked with him since he invited me as a guest at the Apollo Theatre ... I knew I could pick up the phone and call him anytime or could come back " home ", as he would call it. I got frighten after awhile because I realized he wasn't there for me. He always believed I was coming back to him.
Two great icons,... such a great lost to the music world, but they left so much behind for the younger entertainers to groove off this music called," funk". It's embedded in me.

Fonkadelica : Martha, now you are a front lead singer with a solo career. Is it easy to be in front now ? To lead a group ? What are the differences with your backing singer stuff ?

Martha HIGH : (smile) A lot of business and decisions, Mr.Brown dealt with.... I felt, "he didn't have to go there like that !" but I find myself dealing with those same situations ! I've started thinking to myself ...,"ooh man ! now I understand why Mr.Brown did or said those things !"
When I was in the background, all decision's were made by Mr.Brown. He chose the songs, the style of outfits, colors, the shoes and the color of our hair. He is the reason, I'm a blonde to this day. He had made me the oversee'er, of all the ladies on the show. At one time I was the payroll master for the entire show. I had the right to hire and fire, the singers. I was his hairdresser for many years, so I traveled with him even when we wasn't gig- gin and I worked in his office in Augusta, Ga. from time to time.
I'm thankful and blessed to have been a right hand (wo-man ) to Mr.Brown. He treated me like I was his sister and then he was like a father too. I was 18 yrs old, when I joined him. He told me to watch him and listen to everything that goes on around him.
Now, being in front is not easy, honestly, but... to have been groomed by the "Hardest Working Man in Show Business", for 30 plus years ! I have the desire to step out on "faith", and say, " I can do this". The big difference is, 'It's my Thang, I can do what I wanna do ! All praises to, "God".

Fonkadelica : Why choosing the Shaolin Temple Defenders as a backing group ? Why some French ? ;)

Martha HIGH : I did some solo touring with my beloved sister, Lyn Collins and Marva Whitney just before I met, Shaolin Temple Defenders. They had also opened a show for Maceo Parker in the past. They got in touch with my manager, saying they would like very much to meet me and also was interested in working together. I was invited to there show, at a club in Paris and was totally impressed with there sound and choice of songs. You can tell they have done there homework on "Funk music", that's what they are about, the old school sounds, which I think they play it very very well. Yes, funk and soul is automatically in my blood, that doesn't mean they can't feel it too! When I was listening to there show, I started to move with the feeling and I said, "Yeah, they got it 'goins', on this could work !" We've been together now over a year. Now ,"We've got the Funk". They are serious about there music and willing to work hard to give the audience a great show. Since they play my era of music so well, I feel at home.

Fonkadelica : Your musical meeting with the Shaolin, tell us more. Where ? when ? why ? How is born the mutual project ?

Martha HIGH : I think I explained how and where we met in the last answer. We want to make music together. They have new ideas and from what I've learned from my experience through the years, I think our mixture of the old school ; new school...comes out to a strong energetic funk & feelin that makes you feel good.
The project, is a start of what we accomplished the first year. We want to invite everyone that wasn't at our concerts to buy this live Cd and to get into our sounds and the ones that were there ... take it home and remininense on what you heard, some good old funky songs from the past.
We are looking forward to some new originals songs to come out soon from both of us.

Fonkadelica : You have a “live album release in may”. Why the choose of a live album ? Is it your choice, or the label/promotor’s choice ?

Martha HIGH : It was the band's choice wanting to put something out together and I agreed ; the shows we had were very good shows. We agreed to the choices and it happened , the label and promoter, is very supportive in the decision.

Fonkadelica : You are actually in studio together, What is the project ? Release date of this stuff ? Tell us more about the songs.

Martha HIGH : Ha,ha,ha ! Yes we were in the studio! and I must say a very successful recording. It's the solo project of Shaolin Temple Defenders. I was asked to co-write and perform a song for there solo cd. The song is soo Kool, I'm very pleased with the outcome , I so enjoyed it. I have no idea when the release date is. You're going to love it!

Fonkadelica : What particularity’s have your next live tour ? Will you play some new songs ? covers ?

Martha HIGH : We are promoting our live Cd. release, so we will be performing some of the songs from the Cd ; incorporating some originals songs that I have written and Shaolin Temple Defenders' wrote. We've done the cover thing ; we would like to share our talent as writers, with new lyrics and music.

Fonkadelica : What do U think about the new deep funk soul stars ? Amy Winehouse ? Sharon Jones, Nicole willis … ? Do You think you are same as them ? In the same category ? if not, why ? explains

Martha HIGH : I have had the chance to see Nicole Willis and Sharon Jones live ; I've listened to Amy Winehouse. I do enjoy there music very much they're doing there thing. We all have our own style. I'm looking at how we dress as performers. I think that plays a part to what category we are placed. I joined Mr.Brown in 1966 up to the year of 2000. give or take a few years. ; I was,' doo whoppin' , at high school hops and Birdland night clubs, starting from 1957 until I met Mr.Brown. The era they are pursuing ...I AM that era, I was there. I'm not trying to get on the band wagon. They are retro's of the era I'm from. It's all good.

Fonkadelica : Do You know that Tony’s COOK will soon release a new album (ex james brown drummer) ? Do You have any plans to re-work with some ex-JB’s ?

Martha HIGH : Yes , I'm aware Mr.Cook has a new release and I wish my brother the very best ! I have worked with many of the ex-JB's and hopefully in the future we can continue to do some projects or shows together. I love all the members that worked with Mr.Brown . I'm like a sister, mother figure to a lot of them, young and old and I'm proud of it. A lot of us still stay in contact by networking. Whenever it's necessary we all come together to help one another. We became a family out there with Brown. I know what a lot of them went through and I still pray for all.

Fonkadelica : What are your favorites cds, actually ? tell us more about your likes in music ?

Martha HIGH : My favorite cd at this moment is ( W.O.M.A.N.) I'm very proud of what we have accomplished, after that... I'm a big fan of Etta James, Chaka Chan, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight. My love for music varies ; when I'm at home I love listening to smooth instrumental jazz, gospel, symphonies, a singer by the name of Will Downing and love the Blues. You will have a chance to hear what I like , when my solo Cd be released at the end of the summer.

Fonkadelica : Thanks U very much… see You live soon, in FRANCE …

Martha HIGH : Thank you....I'm looking forward to seeing you and hoping everyone will come out to jam ! with me and the Shaolin Temple Defenders!

Love Always, Martha High

Martha High et Mpls, le 21 avril 2008

MARTHA HIGH

marthahigh.com

www.myspace.com/missmarthahigh

www.myspace.com/marthadefenders

LES SHAOLIN SOUL DEFENDERS

www.shaolintempledefenders.net

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