Rebecca Martin is a renowned American jazz and folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She was born on April 24, 1969, in Rumford, Maine, and grew up in Augusta, Maine. Martin was raised in a musical family, and her parents were both musicians. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a singer and pianist. Martin started playing the guitar at the age of 12 and began writing songs soon after. Martin attended the University of Maine, where she studied music and theater. After college, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. In 1994, Martin formed the group Once Blue with guitarist Jesse Harris. The group released their self-titled debut album in 1995, which received critical acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. After Once Blue disbanded, Martin released her first solo album, Thoroughfare, in 1998. The album featured Martin's original songs and received positive reviews. In 2002, Martin released her second solo album, Middlehope, which was produced by Larry Grenadier and featured jazz musicians Kurt Rosenwinkel and Brian Blade. The album showcased Martin's unique blend of jazz and folk music and received critical acclaim. In 2004, Martin released her third solo album, People Behave Like Ballads, which was produced by bassist Scott Colley and featured jazz musicians Bill McHenry and Larry Grenadier. The album received rave reviews and was named one of the top ten jazz albums of the year by The New York Times. Martin has also collaborated with other musicians, including pianist Fred Hersch, saxophonist Mark Turner, and guitarist Lionel Loueke. In 2010, Martin released a collaborative album with Hersch, titled When I Was Long Ago, which featured Martin's original songs and jazz standards. In addition to her music career, Martin is also a visual artist and has exhibited her paintings and drawings in galleries in New York City and Maine. Martin has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. In 2005, she was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2012, she was awarded a MacDowell Colony Fellowship for music composition. Martin has also been a guest artist and lecturer at various universities and music schools, including The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and the Berklee College of Music. Martin continues to perform and record music, and her most recent album, Twain, was released in 2017. The album features Martin's original songs and was produced by her husband, bassist Larry Grenadier. Twain received critical acclaim and was named one of the top ten jazz albums of the year by NPR. In conclusion, Rebecca Martin is a talented and versatile musician who has made significant contributions to the jazz and folk music genres. Her unique blend of jazz and folk music, combined with her soulful voice and thoughtful lyrics, has earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. Martin's continued success and creativity in both music and visual art make her a true Renaissance artist.

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