ELLIE MARTIN

MORNING GLORIES

Independent label

Ellie Martin, vocals/composer/lyricist/background vocals; Peter Eldridge, piano/background vocals; Kurt Krahnke, bass; Olman Piedra, drums/percussion; Keith Ganz, guitar; Rob Avsharian, percussion/drums; Andrew Bishop, saxophone; Ben Wolkins, trumpet.

According to her publicist, Ellie Martin is a self-proclaimed ‘vocal jazz nerd.’  The singer, songwriter is a mother of two and holds a degree in voice from McGill University, a master’s in Vocal Jazz Performance from the University of Toledo, then Martin continued her educational journey by achieving a Doctorate in Jazz Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Her graduate study was on the life and work of the jazz icon and vocalist/composer, Jon Hendricks.

I mention that she is a representative of higher education and that she is a mother, because Ellie Martin has intertwined her love of music, academia, and motherhood into this current album project.

These elements are also reflected in her compositions.  Her songs have a premise. She writes about  her deep, spiritual love of nature, life and children. Sometimes, when we are faced with something that threatens our stability, we have a renewed appreciation for every moment of life.  We appreciate every wonder of nature and each precious joy of life.  Her opening song bursts with energy and youthful spirit, mirroring images of her children playing freely in the rain. This song captures the innocence of youth and loving life.  The tune is called “Love and Light.”  It’s arranged in a Brazilian jazz kind-of-way. Her husband, Olman Piedra is prominent, adding his percussive brightness to the tune.  Andrew Bishop adds his lovely saxophone solo to the mix. The hook is plush with background vocal harmonies. This song should get lots of airplay.

The second tune celebrates this season titled, “Spring’s Around the Corner.”  Her original tune swings, propelled by the drummer. Ellie Martin phrases like a jazz singer.  Perhaps if they had turned Kurt Krahnke up (in the mix) on bass, his brisk, groovy walk would have supported Martin’s vocals. Martin shows off her scat skills on this tune. However, most of her original repertoire I would not qualify as strictly jazz. Some songs are very pop oriented, and that’s not a bad thing.

Much of her music and lyrics are born from her own rebirth. Blessed by becoming a cancer survivor and a caring mother, Ellie Martin is profoundly aware of both the beginning and the end of life. This realization is reflected in all of her original music. “Little Flowers in Bloom” is a lovely, heartfelt tune that dances on the high wire of Pop. She balances pop and jazz like a tightrope walker.

The horns added to “Asking Us to Change” support this rhythmical production in a harmonic way, showcasing special guests Andrews Bishop on saxophone and Ben Wolkins on trumpet.  At first, it sounds like a composition influenced by Stevie Wonder’s style of writing. This is followed by “Morning Glories” (the title tune) that depicts a lovely little vining flower that blossoms at dawn. It is another very pop-sounding ballad with a pretty melody. The guitar of Keith Gantz is dynamic during his solo.

Ellie Martin offers us thirteen original songs, with one song sung in French, “Pays de Desir.”  Her music reminds us to embrace our life moments before they slip away.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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