Heidi Martin

“An original voice whose artistry is both authentic and defiant to genre, a provocative lyricist with a deep sense of social consciousness”

~ Tim Warfield

“A breezy stroll through the Civil Rights movement at a level deeper than the mere political. 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. But there's stll a distinct Southern vernacular in her words.”

~ All About Jazz

“ Heidi brings a singer-songwriter perspective, applies that folk influence from the 60’s, to a whole different genre of music…”

~George Burton

“Martin is a force to be reckoned with, this latest project proves that point!”

~ORRIN EVANS

“Soaring soulful riffs…a wonderful experience for the listener!”

~Vanessa Rubin

In 2006 Martin was hand-picked to compete in the London International Jazz Vocal Competition (LIJC), where she placed as a top finalist among some 107 competitors from over 25 nations.

Award winning vocalist and commissioned composer; Heidi Martin’s latest recording ATTUNEMENT, official release May 26, 2026, Is a non-traditional tribute to Vocalist, Actress, Songwriter, Poet, and Civil Rights Activist: Abbey Lincoln aka: Aminata Moseka.

In 2024, Martin received the Berger-Carter Berger Fellowship from the Rutgers Dana Library Jazz Studies Department to research the Abbey Lincoln Estate. With a focus on the Abbey’s Journals, Heidi composed 8 songs thru aligning with Lincoln’s spirit and philosophy. She reached out to both Marc Cary and Michael Bowie, who both played with Abbey Lincoln for over a decade. Seeing if they could share stories while she was studying Abby's journals. Inspired by their recollections and the depth of research of Abby's personal journals, with her own alignment with Abby's spirit and philosophy, Heidi began composing a poetic tribute. Beyond the traditional tributes to monuments in the music. What you might call channeling. As the poems emerged, she put them to music. With Arts & Humanities Grants from Montgomery County Maryland, She recorded with Marc Cary Piano, Michael Bowie Bass, Eric Kennedy Drums, Ethan Baily-Gould Guitar, Elijah Easton Tenor.

Resulting in a new recording ATTUNEMENT, sharing production with Producer and Bassist innovator Michael Bowie.

In 2023, She premiered a “New Jazz Works” commission by Chamber Music America (2022) entitled “What Love Endures”. The Heidi Martin Ensemble: Janelle Gill keys, Romeir Mendez bass, Justin Faulkner drums, Tim Warfield sax, Josh Evans trumpet, Paul Bollenback guitar, and Paige Brown vocals.

In 2022, She released recording “Gifts & Sacrifices” with Raymond Angry rhodes, George Burton piano, Tarus Mateen bass, Eric Harland drums, Paul Bollenback guitar, Tim Warfield soprano, Josh Evans trumpet, and Paige Brown vocals. The same year; awarded a South Arts Touring Grant to perform Gifts & Sacrifices with the large ensemble in the mid-Atlantic region.

She has performed both nationally and internationally at: Winter JazzFest, DC Jazz Festival, NOMAFest, Black Arts Fest, MadJazz Fest, Pori Jazz Festival (Finland), The Kenzi Sky Bar, Cadet Rouge in (Casablanca, Morocco).

She shared the stage with Dana Murray, Russell Gunn, Raymond Angry, Nicholas Payton (Into the Blue), Tim Warfield, and George Burton (the truth of what I am) , Allyn Johnson, Romeir Mendez, Justin Faulkner, Orrin Evans, Nicholas Payton; appeared on recordings with Russell Gunn (Love Stories), Dana Murray (Negro Manifesto) and Reginald Cyntje (Love Album).

“A singer-songwriter perspective, Heidi Martin applies that folk influence from the 60’s to a whole different genre of music”~ George Burton

“An original voice whose artistry is both authentic and defiant to genre, a provocative lyricist with a deep sense of social consciousness.” ~ Tim Warfield

Four of Martin’s compositions off her first album “HIDE” - were chosen as a soundtrack to REVOLUTION ’67, a documentary about the 1967 Newark rebellion by Emmy-nominated filmmakers Jerome and Marylou Bongiorno.

Awards

2024 Arts & Humanities Grant of Montgomery County, MD to record music written while researching the Abbey Lincoln Estate.

2024 awarded the Berger Carter-Berger Fellowship from Rutgers University, to research the Abbey Lincoln Estate at Dana Library Jazz Studies Dept. 

2023 awarded Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Commission for 9 compositions. Martin created a song cycle on love entitled: What Love Endures...

2022 award South Arts Jazz touring grant to present the music from her album Gifts & Sacrifices. 

In 2006 Martin was hand-picked to compete in the London International Jazz Vocal Competition (LIJC), where she placed as a top finalist among some 107 competitors from over 25 nations.