"Kay Martin is
new to me, and I'm so glad I found her. She handles
her business and gets into my head in a very pleasurable
way, so that I want more... her voice is smooth, soft,
and delightful..."
—Afrikahn Jahmal Davys,
KKUP 91.5 fm/Jazz Beat
Radio.tv, Jazzline Radio and
TV
"Kay Martin's effortless vocal delivery gently guides
the mind toward life's sweet subtleties: the come-hither
glance from an intriguing stranger, the fizz of champagne,
the glint of sun on ocean waves."
—Damon Orion,
The Santa Cruz Good Times
"Kay's voice is pure, honest, and without pretense or
affectation. I particularly enjoy hearing her sing Brazilian
songs. The way she sings "Triste" is so sensitive and
true to the song's emotion… Jobim himself would approve."
—Jackie Ryan,
Internationally renowned
jazz singer
Sweetly wicked and soulfully wise
Kay Martin makes you feel intimately at
home while taking you places you’re never been. Her
clear, smoky-sweet voice (“more like Jack Daniels than
Glenlivit,” according to one fan) has been compared
to Brazilian great Elis Regina, Helen Merrill, Linda Ronstadt,
and Blossom Dearie. On her debut CD softly, you may hear hints
of these singers, but her complex soulful sound is all her
own. Her jazz standards come alive with fresh rhythms and
compelling phrasings, and her Brazilian interpretations simmer
and groove.
Kay grew up playing guitar and singing folk,
soul, blues and pop
But she considers jazz her deep roots;
such greats as Ella, Sarah, Dinah and Billie, and Louis Jordan,
Louis Armstrong, and the Duke are all “in the cell tissue.”
When she discovered Brazilian jazz—and then fusion—it
was love at first listen, and she’s been singing sambas
and bossas—mixing them up with standards, soul, and
pop—ever since.
From the northern half of California
Kay worked extensively in straight theatre
around San Francisco Bay and in the Santa Cruz area, before
giving in completely to jazz. She studied with trumpeter Ray
Brown (formerly with Stan Kenton and his band) and vocalist
Michele Rivard in Santa Cruz. She also studied with blues
diva Faye Carol, Rebecca Parris, Jackie Ryan, Madeline Eastman,
and the great Sheila Jordan.
Kay relocated to Los Angeles in '03
After performing for a number of years
in many venues around the Monterey Bay, Kay relocated to
Los Angeles in '03, where her performance background stands
her in good stead. There she's been working with some
of the big city
players and in a range of settings. Kay
is a seasoned performer, equally at home sparkling, lilting,
and belting 'em out.
Sharing the stage
Here's a short list of some of the great
performers Kay has shared the stage with in Northern and Southern
California.
San Francisco/Monterey
Bay
Los Angeles
Bob Burnett, lead guitarist with world beat group Pele
Juju
Renowned jazz bassist Stan Poplin
Guitarists Tim Volpicella and John Witkowski
Brazilian guitar maestro Ricardo Peixoto
Saxophonists Scott Nordgren, Gary Regina, and Wes Anthony
Bassists Dan Robbins, Pete Novembre, Josh Wilson, and
Bill Bosch
Trumpeters Bob Smith and Joe Henderson protégé Rebecca
Coupe Franks
Pianists Murray Low, Steve Czarnecki, and Glen Rose
Drummers/percussionists Steve Robertson, Zach Olsen, Gary
Montrezza, and Andy Weis, among others …
"Three More Sounds" duo Henry Franklin and Bobby Pierce
Guitarists Adam Levy, Tom Gramlich, Martin Yarbrough,
and Garrick Stoner
Pianists Dave Ferris, Steve Rawlins, and Andrew Sporn
