Ellie Martin (Class of 2000)

Recognized in both the vocal jazz performance and scholarship worlds, Ellie Martin is a highly respected vocalist, educator, and Jazz studies scholar. She is currently the vocal jazz instructor and vocal jazz ensemble director at the University of Toledo, and Toledo School for the Arts. In addition to her teaching, Ellie continues to perform nationally as well as internationally.
From an early age, Ellie had a deep interest in music and first studied with Barb at West Side Montessori until she graduated in 2000. From 2004-2008 she completed her bachelor’s degree in voice at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. In 2010, she completed a Master’s degree in vocal jazz performance at the University of Toledo, where she worked closely with the legendary Jon Hendricks. In addition to Hendricks, Ellie studied with and performed regularly with legendary Detroit pianist, Claude Black, and bassist Clifford Murphy at Murphy’s jazz club.

In 2016, she earned her PhD in Jazz Studies from the University of Pittsburgh where she studied with Dr. Nathan Davis, and Professor Geri Allen. In 2017, she was a featured artist at the 16th Annual River Raisin Jazz Festival, and in 2018 she performed at the Pittsburgh International jazz festival as part of the Geri Allen tribute. She continues to perform with Jerry Mackenzie, the Rich Michaels trio, the University of Toledo faculty group, and the Ellie Martin Quartet. She continues to teach, compose, perform and research vocal jazz, and hopes to record an album of her original compositions in the near future.
 

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