Martha Lorin
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Martha Lorin

Band Jazz Singer/Songwriter

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"Martha Lorin in New York"

New York Times music critic John Wilson says of these collaborations that Martha's "lyrics, with music by Frank Collett, stand up well in the company of such established gems as Strayhorn's "Day Dream" and "Easy Living" by Ranger/Robbins.
- New York Times


"Blues Over Broadway Review"

"Martha Lorin possesses a smooth-as-velvet voice enhanced by thoughtful, lyrical phrasing. Listeners are drawn in further by the taut, perfectly discrete ensemble which compliments this intimate romp among the riches of the American Songbook."
Love the CD.
Mark Rynearson - Music Director..DMX Music
- DMX Music Director


"Blues Over Broadway Review"

AT LAST, A SINGER WHO DELIVERS A SONG THE WAY THE COMPOSER INTENDED. THE WAY MARTHA LORIN SINGS THE SONGS IN HER CD "BLUES OVER BROADWAY" MAKES ONE FEEL THEY HAD BEEN WRITTEN JUST FOR HER! THERE ARE ONLY A FEW ARTISTS THAT CAN INTERPRET A SONG THE COMPOSER'S WAY AND MARTHA LORIN'S APPROACH TO EACH LYRIC HAS THAT FEELING. "BLUES OVER BROADWAY" BREAKS NEW GROUND WITH EVERGREENS LIKE "ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE" AND "I'M GONNA SIT RIGHT DOWN AND WRITE MYSELF A LETTER".
HER VOICE IS A THING OF BEAUTY...CLEAR AND DISTINCTIVE AND HER PERFORMANCES OF SONGS BY ELLINGTON, BACHARACH, PORTER, STAND OUT. I BELIEVE MR. ELLINGTON WROTE "SATIN DOLL" (CUT ONE) JUST FOR HER.
Jim Stone - WLNZ Lansing, MI
- WLNZ Radio


"For Ella Review"

"Lorin's warm contralto caresses the classics. No one can duplicate Ella's incomparable style, but your ears relish this elegant homage."
Dave Burns...Jazz Times - Jazz Times


Discography

Don't Slam That Door - The Many Moods of Martha Lorin - 2008, Blues Over Broadway - 2004, Come Walk With Me - 2000, For Ella with Paul Smith - 1996, The Time is Now - 1993, The Best Is Yet To Come - 1980.

Photos

Bio

Growing up in Pueblo, Colorado, Martha Lorin found herself at a crossroads of diverse cultures. Martha's early vocal development was nourished by two generations, her Welsh grandmother, Sarah Dalton, a highly touted popular singer of the 1920's, and her jazz pianist/singer/songwriter mother, Margaret Dalton.

Martha had her first club gig at age 19 at Enrico Banucci's "Hungry Eye" in San Francisco, where she met long-term mentor, pianist Shelly Robin.

After the tragic loss of her husband, Capt. Bruce Walker (shot down in Viet Nam and still MIA) Martha moved to Germany with their one year old baby girl for two years. Upon returning to the U.S. she completed her B.A. in American Literature at the University of Maryland, after which she moved to San Francisco to resume her singing career.

Martha's first solo album, "The Best Is Yet To Come," was co-produced by Joni Mitchell's producer and sound engineer, Henry Lewy. After its release Martha toured Japan and the Philippines, and then spent a year in Los Angeles where she met and collaborated with pianist/songwriter Frank Collett. Several of those compositions will be included on Martha's 2008 release, "Don't Slam That Door."

New York Times music critic John Wilson says of these collaborations that Martha's "lyrics, with music by Frank Collett, stand up well in the company of such established gems as Strayhorn's "Day Dream" and "Easy Living" by Ranger/Robbins.

After living in New York City for some years, Martha now calls Milford, Pennsylvania home. She has served the Annual Milford Music Festival as its director and assisting with concept development. The 2004 festival featured numerous fine and musically varied groups. The main stage heard performances from Bill Mays, Jerry Vivino, Nestor Torres and The Harlem Baptist Gospel Choir; and Martha took a break from her directing duties to sing a couple of tunes with the Russ Kassoff (Martha's partner on Blues Over Broadway) Big Band. The festival is still going strong.

Martha is constantly exploring the jazz landscape with a spirit of lifting and broadening her musical acumen. Her explorations have presented the opportunity to work with a wide range of world class musicians, including, Paul Smith, Benny Green, Richard Wyands, Harvey Schwartz, Eddie Marshall, Monty Budwig, Leon Joyce, Butch Miles, and Mark Isham.

Martha has done studio work throughout the United States and occasionally appears as the headliner at such NY jazz clubs as Iridium and Birdland.

Acclaimed bassist Don Miller said of working with Martha after a recent gig, "She is one of the finest vocalists I have had the pleasure to work with. I also appreciate her organization, attention to detail, and absolute PERFECTIONISM! She is the kind of singer who lifts the music to another level and inspires us all to play better. Unfortunately that is not often the case, which makes me appreciate all the more when it IS!"

"She is a wonderful singer who has a timeless quality and yet is a fresh voice on the jazz scene." -- Tommy Flanagan