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Claire Martin was born on September 6, 1967 in Wimbledon, South London, England. She grew up in a house full of music, claiming to have learned all of Judy Garland’s songs by the time she was 12. She also cites Ella Fitzgerald’s Song Books as being the life changing influence that inspired her to attend Stage School and later to study singing in both New York and London.

Her professional career started with her first engagement, aboard the QE2, where she sang in the Theater Bar for two years. In 1991, at the age of 21, Martin formed her own jazz quartet, and was signed by the Scottish jazz label Linn Records. Her debut album, “The Waiting Game” was extremely well reviewed and was selected by The Times as one of their “Albums of the Year”.

Claire has opened for Tony Bennett at the Glasgow International Jazz Festival, won the British Jazz Awards and BBC Jazz Awards for Best Vocalist, has co-presented for the Jazz Line Up on BBC Radio 3, collaborated with composer and performer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett and has recorded a total of 17 albums.

Vocalist Claire was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours for services to music. She continues to perform, tour and record.

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