Susannah Martin, Vocalist - Bio

Susannah Martin is acclaimed for her enticing vocals in styles of jazz, pop, classic rock and brazilian/latin jazz. Her current bands include Susannah Martin Jazz Combos,  Flor de Bee, MMK (Miller, Martin & Ki )Trio, Earth Speak, Dusky Groove and successful touring bands, The Dynamite Divas and 3MKi (aka Miller, Miller, Martin & Ki). Her fluid, sultry voice is colored with jazz and r&b, along with a spicy international flair ignited by her multi-lingual singing in latin styles. Her keen vocal control, joy of rhythm, free emotional palette and skills at improvisation and scat-singing raise her performances to scintillating heights.

Susannah also enjoys coaching students in private voice, contemporary a cappella choir and also leads piano bar singalongs in Sedona, AZ.

Susannah Martin is the consummate performer, as talented as she is beautiful. She brings class and polish to any stage. A true delight to behold. ”

Tucson Jazz Society

Based in beautiful Sedona, AZ, vocalist Susannah Martin also enjoys performing occasionally in San Diego, CA, the hometown that started her music career 25+ years ago. Her formal arts education started with voice and music training at the age of ten at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and continued at the University of California at San Diego and also at Willamette University in Oregon, where she earned a music degree in 1995. She continued her vocal jazz studies with Kitty Margolis in San Francisco and with Madeline Eastman and Kurt Elling at the Stanford Jazz Institute.

MORE Quotes & Testimonials:

Susannah Martin is just what audiences need to hear in a rising and expanding talent: honesty, swing, class, good notes, tasteful repertoire…sexy attitude, excellent audience rapport –she’s delicious!”
- Kurt Elling (Blue Note recording artist, Chicago jazz vocalist)

Susannah has amazing stage presence and her voice is, well, divine.”
- Lori S. from Sedona, AZ

Thank you, Susannah, so much for making our evening so festive and fun!!
You have such a beautiful way of performing no matter what the venue is!  I loved the mix from Janice Joplin to Opera!                 
- Polly C. from Sedona, 2015 


“…I love the way you attack a song…like someone that really loves you and wants to wake you up in the most gentle way.”
- Greg A. from Sedona, AZ

 

 

Adept at many styles, Susannah has sung with Motown, Classic Rock, Top 40 and R&B/Funk bands, as well as Chamber and Avant-Garde ensembles, Gospel choruses, Big Bands, Jazz combos, Latin jazz ensembles and A cappella vocal groups.She has thrilled audiences across the U.S. with her performances at concerts, festivals, clubs and on cruise ships and has also released two albums. Her debut album , “Tropico Sur” (released in 2002 and recorded with Argentinian guitarist, Pablo De Luca), is a delightful blend of bossa nova and bolero favorites. Released in 2014,, "Baby Boomer Blast" is a rollicking tribute to great classic rock hits of the 50s, 60s & 70s and is ignited by the full guitar and vocal sound of her band, 3MKi (aka Miller, Miller, Martin & Ki). Her most recent album release with world jazz duo, Flor de Bee, presents "Romantic Vintage Latin, French & Gypsy Swing Classics" with fun vocal improv & a charming twists -like "Autumn Leaves" as a rousing cha cha in French,  and a laugh chorus on the folksy "Mama Don't Allow"!


A strong proponent of music education & participation, Susannah has served passionately as director of jazz choirs and vocal jazz workshops, as private vocal coach, and as arts administrator. As program director of Urban Harmony, she built a network of community a cappella choirs in the San Francisco Bay Area. As program manager for Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, she cultivated and promoted current and next generation jazz talent and helped produce a national jazz festival. Also a teacher herself, Susannah coaches contemporary a cappella choir, vocal workshops and individual singing lessons in Arizona.