Marty Elkins' debut recording on Nagel Heyer Records features Herb Pameroy-tpt, Houston Person-sax, Tardo Hammer-pn, Greg Skaff-gtr, Dennis Irwin-bass and Mark Taylor on drums. These are the cream of the crop as far as musicians go . . . having worked with such greats as Charlie Parker, Annie Ross, Johnny Griffin, Stanley Turrentine and Chet Baker to name a few. She is a force to be reckoned with as she weaves her way in and out of up tempo songs, ballads, bossa novas, and swing tunes. Marty is equally comfortable with a swinging seven piece band as she is with an intimate trio. Ron Della Ciesa, of WGBH/Boston says of her latest release, Marty reminds me of some of the classic big band singers like Rosemary Clooney and Anita ODay. Shes a staunch traditionalist who polishes songs, then wears em proudly, states Jeff Levinson from Hot House Jazz Magazine. This CD swings, and its not the kind of arm-twisting swing that so many singers and bands attempt to accomplish, but an innate, natural swing that makes you want to nod your head and tap your toe. Stanley Crouch says in his review of her CD, Being a true person and a true artist are two very different things. You have to be able to do something that no one can teach you beyond a certain point. Marty has achieved this and more. To sound like yourself is a very difficult thing. And what I mean by that is, not just to not sound like Billie Holiday or Sarah Vaughn, but to have something inherently special, so that people can say, I know that singer! And to add style, and timing and an aesthetically pleasing quality to a song til you breathe life into it, is no mean accomplishment. Weblinks: www.myspace.com/martstress