CELEBRITIES OF THE YEAR: FROM THE MOST BORING TO THE MOST TALENTED

MOST TALENTED AND LUCKIEST CELEBRITIES

Her official biography includes the following: In March 1996 Claire appeared as guest vocalist with Martin Taylor and sang alongside legendary violinist Stephane Grappelli who said "Claire Martin is a wonderful artist, she swings and has such warmth to her voice". Claire won the British Jazz Awards as Best Vocalist in 1997. In 1998, Claire's next record produced by guitar ace Paul Stacey featured Noel Gallagher of Oasis fame playing on a beautiful rendition of the Beatles classic "Help". Later that year Claire was fortunate enough to meet Paul McCartney and deliver her re-working by hand! This album entitled "Take My Heart" also featured Jason Rebello and Mornington Lockett alongside a worldclass line up of top British jazz musicians. The second collaboration with Paul Stacey resulted in "Perfect Alibi" her seventh album for Linn Records and released in 2000. One of the many highlights from this recording is the duet with cult singer/songwriter John Martyn who has become a close friend. Claire won the Best Vocalist category in the 2000 British Jazz Awards, for  the third time. Also in 2000 Claire started presenting the jazz magazine show "Jazz Line Up" for BBC Radio 3. Among the musician's she has met and interviewed are; Michael Brecker, Tania Maria, Andre Previn, Joe Locke, Hugh Masekela, Mike Stern and Pat Martino. In 2001 Claire released "Every Now and Then", The Very Best of Claire Martin - with personally chosen tracks from all the previous seven recordings. Touring took her and her band to the Far East, Europe and Australia, with festivals in Germany, France, The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and Canada. The Claire Martin Quartet were the first ever jazz group to perform in Vietnam as part of a festival organized by the British Council. Early into 2002 Claire won her fourth award as Best Vocalist at the British Jazz Awards. Her latest release "Too Darn Hot" was regarded by John Fordham as "her best and most ambitious disc" in the Guardian. Produced by Richard Cottle "Too Darn Hot" features the cream of British talent and features Nigel Hitchcock, Gareth Williams, Laurence Cottle, Clark Tracey and Ian Thomas. Special guest artists include pianist Geoffrey Keezer and two string arrangements by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett played by the Tapestry String Quartet. The Observer named it CD of the week. In July 2003 the third BBC Jazz Awards named Claire Vocalist of the year. "Talented and hip beyond her years.... the most exciting jazz star to soar to my attention in a decade" Rex Reed - The New York Observer. Grosso modo: Claire Martin reigns as the queen of romantic Jazz! Ms. Martin is listed in the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment.