This performance highlights vocalist Heidi Martin as a conjurer of the vocal and dramatic majesty of jazz legend Abbey Lincoln’s indomitable life force. Lincoln, heralded for her pioneering music, acting and civil rights activism, comes to life while Martin takes listeners through a series of affirming events and revelations, enveloped in gorgeous music and poignant history. Artist talk-back after the show.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Heidi Martin is a Washington, DC native, and began her two-decades plus music career after studying with Professor Calvin Jones at the University of the District of Columbia and continuing privately with jazz royalty, drummer/vocalist Grady Tate. Since making a 1999 debut in the New York jazz scene via her engagement at Birdland, she has become a successful recording artist, composer and sought-after collaborator. Continuing in NY, she has played major clubs such as The Blue Note, Knitting Factory, Zinc Bar, Cachaca, and Metronome and is very active in DC at Bohemian Caverns, Blues Alley, and the 18th Street Lounge. Her bands are often comprised of leading artists and have included some of today’s most exciting contributors to jazz such as Russell Gunn, Tarus Mateen, George Colligan, Eric Revis, George Burton, Orrin Evans, Gregoire Maret, Kris Funn, and DonVonte McCoy. Martin has also been showcased at many area festivals including the DC Jazz Festival, WinterJazzFest NYC, and the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. Internationally, she has performed at the Pori Jazz Festival and Casablanca’s Kenzi Hotel. Martin has independently released three highly acclaimed recordings: “See Hear, Love” (2008), “HIDE” (2005), and “Alone Together” (1998).
“Heidi Martin’s voice has a heavy Rickie Lee Jones bottom with a suggestion of Joni Mitchell and Betty Carter and just a hint of Janis Joplin in the finish. Martin has a vision-oneness with all-and she promotes it with her lyrics. She cuts to the chase with little conversation, more Hemingway than Faulkner…demanding inventive recording that pays the listener dividends in the thoughtful consideration and insight.” — All About Jazz
“Spirited and Self-assured” ~The Washington Post
“I have seen Heidi Martin TRANSFORM into Abbey Lincoln! It was quite stunning. If you are an Abbey Lincoln fan – and even if you’re not – you should go and see Heidi’s show!” ~Jessica Boykin Settles, Jazz Vocalist & Educator, Arranger of Howard University’s Afro Blue
