In addition to being a longtime Board member of Music in Schools Today, Marshall Lamm was the publicist of the renowned west coast jazz club Yoshi's for eight years before launching Marshall Lamm Promotions and Public Relations in January of 2006. Prior to Yoshi's, he founded Astor Place Recordings in New York, an imprint of Profile Records, the home of famed rap group Run-DMC.

MuST
Tell us about your work with young people at Yoshi's.

Marshall
I do so much with young people from my involvement with Yoshi's. I started the Yoshi's matinee series almost four years ago to create an environment for families and kids, and to cultivate the future jazz lovers. I instituted a student discount and promoted the fact that Yoshi's is all ages for all shows. I have worked with the Young Musicians program at Cal and have worked extensively with the Oaktown Jazz Workshop by hosting youth workshops at Yoshi's with the major artists that come through the club. I also book and promote the annual Jazz on 4th Street festival in Berkeley that benefits the Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble.

MuST
Have you ever mentored a young musician?

Marshall
Several, including the Moss Brothers and their bass player, 14-year-old Kyle Wilson. I get phone calls from parents and young musicians who need advice or guidance about how to have a career in the music business, how to make a CD or how to get a gig.

MuST
Do you have a favorite story about your career in the music business?

Marshall
I worked at Profile Records in New York, the home of Run DMC and other rap artists. I started a primarily jazz label with Profile called Astor Place. On several occasions, rappers would come up to the office and have a beef with someone, or there were threats and the like. One day, MC Hammer and Eric B, a DJ, came up to the office. I was a big Eric B and Rakim fan, so I went to introduce myself to them and as I got closer, MC Hammer looked at me and motioned into his jacket like he was pulling a gun out to shoot me or something. It was more funny than scary. Now I can always say MC Hammer pulled a gun on me.

MuST
Can you tell us about one of the highlights in your career?

Marshall
A Grammy nomination for the third CD I put out on Astor Place, Conrad Herwig's the Latin Side of John Coltrane. Plus, making a CD with the Moss Brothers and Jason Newsted.

MuST
How did exposure to music and the arts affect your early life?

Marshall
My mom is a big music fan, from Carole King to Cat Stevens to Tina Turner to the Beatles. My dad is a BIG jazz fan. We went to concerts as far back as I can remember, and my family on Saturday nights would go to plays or opera or the ballet or to concerts. We didn't grow up watching TV, so music was always on the stereo and radio. None of us are musicians, but all of us are very aware of cultural arts, and are very thankful that we grew up with such a strong appreciation of performing arts.

MuST
At what age did you decide to pursue a career in music/creative arts?

Marshall
I never decided to be in the music business. It just happened. I had a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Morocco in 1993. I went to New York to visit some friends, and met Jodi Petlin, a publicist at Verve Records. I helped her in the publicity department for two weeks just to kill some time before I went to Morocco to start the program. The first day I was at Verve, I was on the phone with Ray Brown and Abbey Lincoln, and rode in a limo with Herbie Hancock. Needless to say, I thought being in New York and working in the music business was much more fun than a career in academia.

MuST
What is the earliest musical experience you can remember?

Marshall
Going to see Miles Davis when I was five years old in Dallas at the Algonquin hotel.

MuST
Was there an important person in your life who provided a positive influence on your becoming involved in music?

Marshall
Duke Dubois at GRP Records. He passed away several years ago, but he had a profound effect on my life, as well as the lives of many others.

MuST
What part of your career do you value the most?

Marshall
The relationships I have made with people. And all the free tickets and CDs! Just kidding.

MuST
What part would you do differently if you could go back and start over?

Marshall
I would have won the Grammy!

MuST
What advice would you give to young people seeking a career in the music/performing arts business?

Marshall
Write thank you notes!

MuST
What would you caution them to avoid?

Marshall
Not writing thank you notes!

MuST
Why should music and art be taught in schools?

Marshall
If music and arts are not taught in school, where else can they be taught? To enhance lives of kids, obviously.

MuST
Are there any other thoughts you would like to share?

Marshall
Never give up, and have a firm handshake!

MuST
Tell us why you support Music in Schools Today.

Marshall
MuST is one of the best youth music programs that I have worked with. The people involved truly care about the future of the arts and are committed to seeing that kids can realize their dreams.