Martin Swinger: Biography
Martin Swinger : Songs Worth Listening To
Martin's repertoire of 'Songs Worth Listening To' run the gamut from infectiously bright, upbeat and witty, to astounding and powerfully moving. A concert includes award winning originals, swing and jazz standards, traditional and contemporary Americana selections, with some tastefully un-classifiable gems to freshen your ears.
Martin has produced four CD’s - SCRAPBOOK, MOCKINGBIRD, AMERICAN SEEDS and BearNAKED with a history of cassettes, 45's and "LIVE! At The Family Dawg!" albums recorded with musical friends.
He also writes songs for local Cable TV shows, radio stations, schools, community musical productions and songs for private clients.
Musician - Performer Worth Listening To
Martin connects with his audience. He's a performer you’ll be glad you experienced live. His talent is evident from the moment he walks onstage. He is simply an astounding musician with a comfortable presence, a powerful voice and creative guitar skills.
Martin's strength of performance, fluid tenor voice and incredible vocal range are compelling enough to capture the attention of any audience. (He once brought a room full of teens playing pool to a sudden stand-still with an A Cappella performance!) Recognition for his songwriting and performing talent continues to grow. He is a Kerrville New Folk Finalist and Festival performer and led workshops and performances at Boston Folk Festival. He was featured on the “Kerrville 2000" and “2001" and other compilation CD's. Martin performed at this years "Big Taboo" Festival in Provincetown and is featured in a recent book, FOLK MELLINEUM by Dr. Tom Gruening.
Closer to home, Martin was opening feature at Maine Governor Angus King’s “Arts in the Capitol” series and annually emcees a stage for the “Day in Capitol Park” on the Maine State Capitol lawn. He sings the national anthem for the State Senate and has performed at L.L. Bean’s “Discovery Park” and at their flagship store in Maine. Martin celebrated nine years as host and producer of an original cable television show, “ALIVE! From Johnson Hall”, a popular concert series featuring Maine musicians, which continues to broadcast to 120,000 homes across Maine.
Personal History
Music is an honored Swinger family tradition so Martin was singing solos in public by the first grade and writing songs by his teens. Early years in Georgia were spent playing piano, ukulele and guitar, making music with friends and family and singing in school and church choirs.
He formed his first band while a Junior in High School, discovered poetry, Paul Simon and Harry Nilsson, then attended Valdosta State College in Georgia where he wrote music for several productions.
Martin began to take his personal songwriting more seriously in his 20's when his first "adult' song, "Look Who's Cryin' Now" earned a ‘Certificate of Merit’ from The American Song Festival. Martin moved to Berea, Kentucky where, for 8 years he toured with Mitch Barrett as a duo called MANDALA and gained fans in the Virginia/D.C. Circuit. After moving to Norfolk, Virginia he collaborated with Mike Munden and Brent Gable in a band called JUST PLAIN FOLK and then 15 years ago, moved to Maine where he currently lives, writes, performs, teaches and gardens.
Radio Exposure
WERU Ellsworth, ME : CD's, recorded jingles, live interviews, Full Circle Fair live performer
WUMB Boston, MA : CD's, live interviews Boston Folk Festival live performer
WCLZ Portland, ME : CD's, live interviews, recorded jingles
WMPG Portland, ME : CD's, live interviews, recorded jingles
WHQO Skowhegan, ME : CD's, live interview
WHRO Norfolk, VA : CD's, live interview
Sirius Radio NY, NY : CD's, live interview
KOOP (WebCast) Austin TX : CD's
WJFF Jeffersonville, NY : CD's, Pride Day Festival live performer
WOMR Cape Cod, MA : live interviews, CD play and taped live performances.
Music Educator
Martin parlays his love of songwriting into education and teaches songwriting to students from kindergarten to adulthood. Visit his other site, www.swingersongwritercircle.com for more info about his work as an educator.
ImproVox - Info: www.ImproVox.com
Martin performs A Cappella Improvisational music with a quintet called ImproVox. ImproVox offers concerts and vocal improv workshops. To learn more, visit 'related projects' on the navigation bar.