Kay Martin Performing

Performing singing was a late-breaking development for Kay Martin—although always a performer, mainly acting. Late 90s she studied at Cabrillo and by 2000 was fronting a jazz band for the late trumpeter Bob Smith every Friday at Positively Front St. , and led a trio longstanding at the Shadowbrook—& elsewhere about town. Within a couple years she released the straightahead jazz CD Softly featuring wonderful local musicians. Kay moved to Los Angeles end of 2002 and sang across the southland, downtown LA club residencies but especially the west side, including years at Santino’s in Santa Monica with many wonderful accompanists, her groundbreaking Four Sweets CD with world-class LA players winning accolades and awards. She also sang with a pop vocal trio for years, Three of Diamonds, and indie /alt/ Americana off and on with the Shady Characters up here. During 2022 Kay traveled and lived in Europe, Wales, and Morocco taking her eclectic repertoire of Brazilian, jazz, indie rock and soul to the streets for “pop-up” as well as formal concerts. She is very content to be back in Santa Cruz area communities, which her heart never really left—& excited to be at VinoCruz! You can check out about her music and career on www.kaymartinmusic.com