Described by the New York Observer as "talented and hip beyond her years" and acclaimed as "the best ever British jazz singer" in a recent issue of America’s leading jazz publication Jazz Times, Claire Martin was born to sing.
Growing up in a house full of music in Wimbledon, South London, she’d learned all of Judy Garland’s songs by the time she was 12. But it was hearing Ella Fitzgerald’s legendary “Song Books” that changed her life inspiring her to go to Stage School and then to study singing in London and New York. A further seminal moment came at 18 when she saw the great improvising singer Betty Carter at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club. It confirmed what she already felt - she had to be a jazz singer. Like many singers Martin paid her dues and learnt her craft by embarking on the QE2, singing onboard in the Theatre Bar for two years.
Back on dry land and just 21, Martin formed her first quartet (featuring guitar-great Jim Mullen). Her break came when renowned Scottish jazz label Linn Records signed her in 1991, the start of a creative relationship that is still going strong today. Martin’s 1992 debut “The Waiting Game” (Linn AKD 018) scored rave reviews and was chosen as a Times Album of the Year. Martin achieved one of her ambitions later that year, opening for Tony Bennett at the Glasgow International Jazz Festival.
By the mid-nineties Martin had received the Rising Star and Best Vocalist awards at the British Jazz Awards while receiving rave reviews on her American debut with four sell-out shows in Washington DC. Another ambition was fulfilled with the recording of a live album at Ronnie Scott’s in 1995, an album that moved the New York Times to comment "In an era when young jazz singers tend to sound far too much like their idols, there is no mistaking the voice of Claire Martin who combines a cool, burnished tone with the ear of a born musician".
Increasingly popular across the pond, Martin recorded her fifth album "Make This City Ours" (Linn AKD 066) in New York reaching number 1 in the prestigious Gavin Charts and staying there for two weeks - the only European singer to achieve this. Future albums saw Martin collaborate with guitarist/producer Paul Stacey and she even had Noel Gallagher join her on a rendition of the Beatles classic "Help". Later that year she met Paul McCartney and delivered the re-working by hand. Her second album with Stacey featured a duet with cult singer/songwriter John Martyn, who has become a close friend.
Martin has continued to gather awards, winning the Best Vocalist category for the fourth time at the 2002 British Jazz Awards and going onto win Best Vocalist at the BBC Jazz Awards in 2003 (when she performed a duet with a certain Mr Cullum, who won the Rising Star Award that year). Claire was nominated in the Best Vocalist category at the BBC Jazz Awards in 2007, where she narrowly lost out to label-mate Ian Shaw.
Busy as always, Martin and her band regularly tour the Far East, Europe and Australia and was the first jazz group to perform in Vietnam. She also performs regularly with Girl Talk (alongside Mari Wilson and Barb Jungr). She can also be found performing with the Halle Orchestra and the Laurence Cottle Big Band (a smash hit at this year’s Cheltenham jazz festival).
Claire’s latest album (her 11th for Linn Records) is a wonderful jazz literate cabaret duo recording with renowned composer, pianist and singer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett entitled “When Lights Are Low” (Linn AKD 260), launched in September 2005 with a month at London’s Pizza On The Park. This year they celebrated Sir Richard’s 70th birthday with a major UK tour in March and they performed at many music festivals including the City of London, Cheltenham, Henley, Warwick and Lichfield.
Somehow she also finds time to work as a broadcaster, working as co-presenter of Jazz Line-Up on BBC Radio 3 interviewing the likes of Michael Brecker, Andre Previn, and the occasional terrified young singer.
Claire Martin lives in Brighton with her daughter.
For further information - www.clairemartinjazz.com
For further information -
www.clairemartinjazz.comThe Guardian
this long-standing local class act continues to grow
more >>Jazz ReviewIn short: a gem of an album, pulling off the difficult feat of simultaneously showcasing Martin's unrivalled vocal gifts and celebrating the extraordinarily moving quality of Horn's music. Strongly recommended.
more >>The Jazz RagThe result is wholly listenable - a happy hour of music.
more >>Record CollectorMartin sings with her now familiar emotional power, maintaining her concentration with the song in hand, and always remaining totally believable.
more >>Jazz Times(Her) voice is one of the most satisfying instruments in jazz.
more >>BBC Music Magazine
Claire Martin shows why she's one of today's most sought-after singers
more >>Die WeltwocheClaire Martin ist eine dergrossen Jazzsängerinnen der Zeit.
more >>East Anglian Daily TimesClaire Martin is now more than a superb singer. . .she's also a fine entertainer who can hold court in the top concert halls of the world down to the cosiest and intimate cabaret club.
more >>Limelight
As befitting someone whose musical intelligence, jazz spirit and individuality make her the complete singer, England's finest jazz diva stamps her own personality on each track.
more >>Audio and Video ReviewYet another stunning release on the world-renowned label Linn Records.
more >>Jazz UKAs beautifully done as you might expect from such a class act.
more >>The Star LedgerIt's hard to imagine Horn not being impressed with Martin's tribute.
more >>MojoA quiet beauty for admirers of small-hours jazz.
more >>The Sunday PostAnother great album from a British jazz icon - CD of the Week
more >>The ObserverMartin has a perfect jazz voice - warm, textured and subtle.
more >>JazzwiseClaire Martin ticks that final box and moves closer to becoming the complete jazz singer she's always threatened to be.
more >>Independent on SundayA superior vocalist for a long time - (Claire Martin) has developed real grain and character in her voice.
more >>The Sunday Times
Martin's smoky voice has never sounded more authoritative.
more >>MojoPerhaps Martin's best album.
more >>Audiophile AuditionIt's hard to pick and choose from so many good tracks...Very highly recommended!
more >>Yorkshire PostAn exceptionally fine album from one of the best singers around.
more >>Evening StandardDemonstrates the poised phrasing and smoky tone that make Ms Martin our most sophisticated jazz singer.
more >>The ScotsmanCLAIRE Martin has remained at the top of the ever-growing heap of UK jazz singers over the past decade and more.
more >>Time OutOur fave female jazz singer, Martin is absolutely peerless.
more >>www.girlsingers.orgMs. Martin is often called "The UK's finest jazz singer." This disc makes a strong case.
more >>The Vortex Website / MagazineIn short: a gem of an album. Strongly recommended.
more >>Rainbow Network WebsiteWhat is impressive is the range of Martin’s voice which is, by turns, soaring, sensuous, plaintive and powerful.
more >>Atlanta Audio SocietyClaire Martin has an intuitive sense of how to handle the emotion in a song lyric, or even a single word.
more >>The HeraldWithout imitating her heroine, (Claire Martin) captures her essence beautifully.
more >>BBC WebsiteShirley's passed the flame to Claire, who's using it to light fireworks. Go girl!
more >>Record CollectorConsidered by many, this writer included, as the UK's premier jazz singer.
more >>The GuardianIf anyone can get away with a Shirley Horn tribute, it's Claire Martin, whose subtle musical intelligence and jazz sensibilities have been deepening for a long time.
more >>Observer Music MonthlyThe complete jazz singer she's always threatened to be.
more >>The First Post (website)Claire Martin shows yet again why she is the classiest and most convincing UK female singer around.
more >>All About Jazz websiteOne of my favorite jazz vocalists.
more >>The TimesThe most intelligent and assured singer in the country.
more >>Jazz TimesFor my money she's not only the finest female British jazz singer of her generation but possibly of all time.
more >>www.jazzreview.comA delightful union of two of the UK's most recognized talents.
more >>Atlanta Audio SocietyThis Linn SACD was a revelation for me.
more >>Evening StandardIn lively form.
more >>Birmingham PostJazz CD of the Week
more >>Good Sound MagazineOne of the best jazz singers around.
more >>Audiophile AuditionVery, very highly recommended!
more >>Sunday TimesAs polished as you could hope for.
more >>Yorkshire PostThere isn’t a better singer than (Claire Martin) around.
more >>Sunday PostAs always with Linn, the recording sounds fantastic.
more >>Scotland on SundayOrder this CD pronto: it's a gem.
more >>Daily TelegraphStyle does not go out of style.
more >>JazzwiseA joy from start to finish.
more >>HMV ChoiceJust over an hour of pure class.
more >>The HeraldA treat of the most sophisticated kind.
more >>JazzReview.comnot only formidable talent but good taste
more >>Jazz TimesListen to Martin dazzle
more >>Good Sound.coman exciting, engaging blend
more >>JazzwiseYou do really feel that you're sitting either in the middle of the group or next to the band
more >>Scotland on Sundayan artist of great musicality
more >>Yorkshire Postanother peach of an album
more >>JazzwiseOne of Claire's best albums to date
more >>Jazz ReviewMartin is breezy, even masterful
more >>The HeraldA superb collection
more >>The GuardianVery classy indeed
more >>The Scotsmanhip-but-sophisticated interpretations
more >>Rainbownetwork.comsexy and seductive
more >>CODA jazz magazineMartin is a true jazz performer
more >>Audiophile Auditionthese tracks are near demonstration quality
more >>Audio & Video Lifestyle Australiawill really get your toes a-tappin'
more >>BBCiwrings passion from every belted-out note
more >>In-Tune International[an] appealing smoky-tinged voice
more >>ejazznewsthe slightly husky tones of her voice make the spine tingle
more >>Jazz ExpressIf her debut was good this one is even better.
more >>The ObserverTo be original without sounding outlandish or just plain dotty is a difficult trick to bring off, especially for singers but Claire Martin has always managed it with grace and poise.
more >>CC NewzI recommend this CD without hesitation.
more >>Audio & Video Lifestyle AustraliaThis album is one classy jazz vocal release that will be hard to beat. *****
more >>LP: Magazine for Analogue Hi-Fi and Vinyl CultureLinn sets the bar with this release.
more >>Her voice is darker and more persuasive than on previous records.
more >>Evening StandardTalent, personality and a refreshingly slick approach.
more >>Brighton Evening ArgusWidely recognised as the best British jazz singer of her generation
more >>Audiophile AuditionVery, very highly recommended!
more >>Jazz UKClaire Martin has been a class act for years.
more >>HMV ChoiceClaire Martin still seems as fresh a talent as ever.
Los Angeles Timesa first rate introduction to the work of this first rate jazz artist
more >>Jazzwiseexemplary timing and indisputable stage presence
more >>Guitaristthis is a real treat
more >>The Observerone of Britain's finest voices
more >>Classic CDher voice smoulders
more >>Sunday Timesone of the few world-class singers
more >>Hi-Fi News & Record Reviewcool, jazzy vocals
more >>Jazzwiseseductively honeyed treatments
more >>Jazz Journal InternationalThis lady simply gets better
more >>The ObserverThe album has a vitality essential to jazz
more >>Jazz on CDIt's a great album
more >>Classical Musica cleverly chosen batch of songs
more >>Gramophoneshe has a soft, husky voice and good intonation and a superb band
more >>Jazz On CDMartin is at home with both swing and ballads
more >>Gramophoneeasily as good as its predec
more >>The Stagea talent to be savoured.
more >>Hi Fi News and Record ReviewLinn can be proud of this one.
more >>Jazz TimesA gifted interpreter of songs, with a wonderful sense of repertoire.
more >>Jazz Journal...blessed not only with a wonderful voice but also the rare ability to use it with style, intelligence and wit.
more >>