Describing the sublime Ms. Martin in a Star Tribune profile, Michael Anthony set this scene:  “Playing to a packed house and dressed in an elegant velvet pantsuit with a gold lamé vest, she was doing tunes from her latest CD Songs From My Heart.  Among them was a sexy, hard-swinging 'I Concentrate on You' propelled by her rich, resonant alto and unerring rhythmic sense.”  Songs From My Heart was released in late 2005, one year following her 2004 comeback CD Pieces of Dreams (her first recording since the late 1960s and another critics' favorite).  Her touchingly honest and emotional vocals, and undeniable charisma, hit home with multiple generations.  Torch songs that smolder.

Twin Cities-based pianist Laura Caviani's 2006 CD release Going There, which spotlights her talents as a composer and trio leader, enjoyed a long run on the JazzWeek national radio charts. Music critic Bob Protzman described the CD as "full of warmth and a swinging sense of fun." Her previous CDs have received notices such as "stunningly fresh" from JazzTimes magazine. Caviani has appeared on three Karrin Allyson releases and has toured extensively with the Grammy-nominated singer. Performances with other jazz luminaries include Toots Thielemans, Stan Getz and Diane Schuur.