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| Vocalist/Songwriter ELLIE MARTIN's Debut of All Originals "VERDANT" Nothing focuses your attention on the important things in life more than confronting - and beating - cancer and then starting a family. Watching her children living in the moment and playing with abandon made ELLIE MARTIN realize that you cannot take anything for granted. Despite a successful and rewarding career in academia, the singer and songwriter decided it was time to follow her dream and record an album. VERDANT, Martin's debut recording, showcases her wide-ranging vocal and compositional talents. The album comprises 12 original songs that mostly follow the arc of her life in the last few years, reflecting her experiences as a woman, a mother, and a cancer survivor. Martin's voice is light and warm as she skillfully navigates through her program of bebop, Latin grooves, ballads, and swing, undaunted by challenging intervals. The songs on VERDANT come directly from Martin's life. Audiences in the Midwest, where she tours extensively, have had plenty of opportunity to hear Martin in concert. With the release of VERDANT, a larger audience will finally get to enjoy the depth and breadth of her artistry. Martin has a PhD in Jazz Studies and is currently the vocal jazz instructor at the University of Toledo, as well as Toledo School for the Arts. She has performed at the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival, the Sunset Jazz Festival, and the Michigan Jazz Festival. She was the featured vocalist with the National Arab Orchestra in San Antonio Texas, and she has performed alongside jazz luminaries Geri Allen, Terri Lynne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, the New York Voices, Jon Hendricks, and Afro Blue. Personnel ELLIE MARTIN vocals PETER ELDRIDGE piano, background vocals (10) ARIEL KASLER guitar (1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10) KURT KHRANKE bass OLMAN PIEDRA drums, percussion KEITH GANZ guitar VICTOR GONҪALVES accordion (3) ANDREW BISHOP clarinet (1) BEN WOLKINS trumpet (7) MIKE HARRISON background vocals (2) All compositions by ELLIE MARTIN Tracks 1. Living for the Now 3;12 2. As Time Goes 4;57 3. Dancers Serenade 3;24 4. Never Will I Worry 5:12 5. Love Somehow Will Heal 3:44 6. Renewal 5:08 7. Steel Eye City 6:15 8. Verdant 4:49 9. Lucianita 4:31 10. Lady Liberty 5:08 11. Step Into Your Essence 4:34 12. Moments 5:25 write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |