Name: Claire Martin introduces Maddie Martin
Start: 2026-04-04T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-04-04T22:30:00+01:00
Location: Verdict Jazz

“Maddie Martin is a star in the making. As soon as I heard her, I knew she was special. She has a warmth and beauty in her voice.”
— Claire Martin OBE
Maddie Martin - vocals
Gabriel Taylor - trumpet/flugelhorn
Joe evans - trombone
Columbus Sandor - piano
Guy Dempsey - bass
Kai Macrae - drums
London-based vocalist Maddie Martin is fast emerging as one of the most compelling new voices on the UK jazz scene. Combining deep respect for tradition with a fresh, contemporary perspective, she brings an unmistakable “old soul” warmth, rich timbre and expressive phrasing to every performance. A natural storyteller, Maddie places lyricism at the heart of her artistry, delivering songs with emotional honesty, wit and stylistic finesse.
Her sound draws inspiration from the great stylists of the American Songbook, including Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O'Day and Nancy Wilson. Yet while rooted in this lineage, Maddie’s approach feels strikingly personal and modern. Her command of phrasing, rhythmic sensitivity and tonal colour mark her out as an artist with both technical assurance and emotional depth.
Since relocating to London, Maddie has quickly established herself as a dynamic presence in venues across the capital and beyond. In the past year she has launched her own jam session in Northwest London, toured with London Concertante, performed regularly with her long-standing duo partner Columbus Sandor, and presented sold-out shows with both her quartet and septet. She made her festival debut at the Swanage Jazz Festival 2025 and released her debut single with The Maddie Martin Big Band in December 2025.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in Classical Vocal Performance, Maddie brings a strong technical foundation to her jazz work, enabling her to explore stylistic nuance and genre crossover with confidence. Since summer 2024 she has been mentored by acclaimed British jazz vocalist Claire Martin OBE. Under her guidance, Maddie recorded her debut EP at Quiet Money Studios with her quartet and horn section, produced by Claire Martin.
Now joined by pianist Columbus Sandor, bassist Guy Dempsey and drummer Kai Macrae, Maddie presents an evening of original music from her forthcoming EP—written by composer and trumpeter Gabriel Taylor—alongside fresh arrangements of jazz standards and Great American Songbook favourites. Together, the quartet delivers a performance rich in swing, intimacy and storytelling—honouring tradition while introducing a distinctive new voice to the stage.