Kim Martin (kimgmartin.com) has taught more than 1000 drum students in the DC area over the last 25 years. Several have auditioned successfully for premier big bands/jazz ensembles, such as Whitman HS, Richard Montgomery HS, Rockville HS, Wooten HS, Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS, Miami University, Blues Alley Youth Orchestra, Montgomery College, and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Kim, himself, formally studied the drum set for four years in Bethesda, Maryland. Then he was referred to jazz great Joe Cusatis in New York City, and studied with him for six years. Kim has mastered jazz concepts, big band orchestration, chart reading and classical snare drum methods. He also learned and applied advanced matched/traditional grip positions and the associated finger techniques.

Kim’s has appeared at Kennedy Center and Blues Alley, with formal appearances on both Arlington and Herndon Community TV. Kim has performed for politicians and luminaries, such as Dick Cheney, Tim Russert, Hillary Clinton, Antonin Scalia, Laura Ingraham, Vincent Gray, Terry McAuliffe and Jesse Jackson.

Kim was a founding member of doom metal pioneers Force and Iron Man. Simultaneously, Kim played drums for the Bill Potts orchestra and soul legend Phil Flowers Sr.'s much later renditions of the “Flower Shop.” Early, full-time, variety work included bands, led by Avon Lucas, Skip Mahoney, Orville Saunders and Joe Hall (original Blackbyrds members), and Glenn Douglas. Kim performed for several years with the original Daryl Davis Band. Kim has also appeared at Blues Alley with jazz vocalist Christian Josi and pianist Sean Lane.

​

Chuggalug has gigged and recorded with Kim since 2014, and we look forward to many more.