Most artists who use the nickname, “Doc,” do it out of cleverness, or for marketing reasons, or as a sly way to express their mastery of their instrument. They usually don’t use the name because they are actual doctors, or dentists, as is the case with Phillip “Doc” Martin, who will play at Chayz Lounge on Meeting Street this Saturday night.

Since the release of his 2003 debut, Saxappeal, Martin has proven that he is in fact one of the best on the sax, wowing audiences everywhere from Blues Alley in D.C. to the St. Lucia Jazz Festival and the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival. Martin has also gotten serious amounts of airplay (including on XM Watercolors and The Weather Channel) for tracks like “Deep Pockets” and the title track from his 2009 set, Realization. His latest release, the simply titled EP, Christmas, proves that Martin can bring a heart full of soul to even the most cliched Christmas carol.

But Martin is interesting for reasons outside of music, as well. This acclaimed and successful saxophonist, who studied music at the University of Central Florida and has shared the stage with the likes of Sam Rivers, Marcus Johnson, Sisaundra Lewis, Sunnie Paxton and more, is also a board-certified dentist with a group practice in Washington, D.C.

Not bad for a guy with a No. 1 single on the Billboard charts (“Vibin’ In Time,” featuring Alex Parchment) and a top ten single (“This Doc Is In The House”) that serves as a statement of purpose.

As you might have guessed, Martin doesn’t shy away from his day job at all. In fact, he even called his 2013 album Good Day At Work to reflect the delicate balance between the rigors of life as a dentist and the sometimes exhilarating, often challenging grind of being an independent artist and performer. And one of the photos in the packaging of his 2016 album, Pocket Love, finds him enjoying the best of both worlds, embracing his treasured alto sax while wearing his green scrubs and cap.

“My first love was always playing the sax,” Martin said, “and I continue to strive to be the best sounding alto player you’ve ever heard. If it’s unheard of that a saxophone artist also wants to be the best dentist you’ve ever gone to, that’s a testament to the hard work I have put in so that I may enjoy these two amazing careers. In both worlds, success comes from working with incredible, dedicated people and developing inspiring, enduring relationships.”

Martin’s mix of soulful grit and smooth jazz is the perfect prescription for a hot Saturday night, so head over to Chayz Lounge because the Doc is in. We can’t promise that you’ll get a lollipop at the end, but an evening of great jazz sounds like the perfect substitute.