"Shirley Horn was about to record three of my original songs ("Lotus Blossom," "A Lovely Dream" and "Is It Love") before her untimely passing. Larry Willis and I were about to include our collaboration, "The Day You Said Goodbye," on our second album. Sadly, Larry passed away before we could record his marvelous song.
Music is too important not to share, and I am presently offering my original music and lyrics for your future projects."
"I have had the privilege of working with scores of jazz legends and notables including Larry Willis, Cyrus Chestnut, George Colligan, Charles Covington, Richard Johnson, Unified Jazz Ensemble, and the list goes on – so many great musicians performing before audiences at music festivals, concert venues, jazz clubs and private social events throughout the mid-Atlantic region. I partnered with the gifted pianist/composer Clem Ehoff to co/write and produce several award-winning recordings. I have held long term engagements at most of the premier area hotels and first-rate venues in the region.
"My CDs are in regular rotation at radio stations world-wide, and my music is included on more than 30 CDs produced by EQ Music and Elm Records based in Singapore."
REVIEWS
Gail Marten is an adept lyricist, pulling interesting little rhymes out of unusual places. You don’t often see wordplay like this unless you’re reading the lyrics of the likes of Porter or Kern. The tunes underpin the lyrics connecting a laid back vibe to each song (even the up-tempo ones) and serving to enhance the effectiveness of the words. (Jeremiah Sutherland, Bull Frog Music)
From the funky opening with the title track, “Is It Love,” to the wistful closer “Dream With Me,” Marten makes her points clearly with the words she’s affixed to tunes. The songs have a steady, mature quality. They are straightforward, yet evocative for the most part. They clearly draw on Marten’s life experience without lapsing into the mawkishly confessional. Two songs strike me in particular as both worthy performances here and promising vehicles for others. “Who Would Know” sets a lyric about the lure of secretive over the sensual sashay of a jazz waltz. The supple dance rhythm captures the song’s sense of emotional approach and withdrawal. Marten provides the music for “Her Point of View,” an arch tribute for feminine thinking set over a groove that’s two parts funky and one part latin with an occasional fillip of tango.(David Dupont, Cadence Magazine)
"You are a tunesmith/wordsmith/jazz singer of such talent that you are, as Duke used to say, Beyond Category. Your Intelligence, maturity and hipness put you In Touch." – The Spotlite
Is It Love is a triumph in lyrics and arrangement, all original from mainstream to Latin. Adorned with accolades as recent as “Is It Love” gathering up first in the 2005 UK Songwriting contest, Ms. Marten has a unique way about
inging balance to her craft. This can be felt through the way she performs and composes her music. As you filter through the jewel box of Is It Love, you experience the eclectic selections and acute sounds that make up this pleasing production. Sound manipulation and execution is important to the bondage of moods the music dictates throughout Ms Marten’s effort. Ms. Marten has this Latinesque temper piped in throughout this journey of love. Many of the cuts seem to display different attributes and sides to this at time heartless feeling called love. . . “Dream With Me” is such an example of pure unfiltered passion-coated lyrics. . . For fans of jazz after hours or amid a hidden café with that other set of eyes adjoining yours, this is the music score . . . quintessential song for those times that one always hopes to dream about. A fine addition to your casual collection and for those special moments where jazz is the only fit! (Karl Stober, Jazz Trenzz)
