Photo Credit: Joseph Mendez
Audra Mariel is a jazz vocalist who works and resides primarily in the Tri-state area. She has been acclaimed for her unique sound, and sincere interpretations of timeless standards. Mariel frequently performs with A Real Human Jazz Band--Tom Monda (guitar), Cody McCorry (bass), and Joe Brown Jr. (drums), as well as with Art Deco --Joe Accurso (piano), Doug Clarke (guitar), and Gary Mazzaroppi (bass), Night Lights Jazz, and many other ensembles. She has also had the privilege of touring and recording with Frank Vignola, through whom she also worked with Mark O'Connor, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Al Caiola.
The release of her debut self-titled album in January of 2014 garnered some attention for Mariel. The album was very well received, and in less than a year since its release had been played on radio stations across the country, namely by the legendary Jonathan Schwartz-- both on his weekend program on WNYC, and his own internet radio station (The Jonathan Channel). Schwartz described Mariel as “a real singer,” and spoke fondly of the album and the artist. With Mr. Schwartz' kind support, Mariel has since gone on to perform at Frank Sinatra's 100th Birthday Celebration at Symphony Space, and Jonathan Schwartz' 47th annual Christmas Show (which was broadcast live on December 18th 2016 at Birdland in NYC).
In addition to her work as a jazz vocalist, Mariel writes and performs original music by layering and looping live vocal tracks using the pseudonym “Martin Howth.” All loops are generated live, without the use of pre-recorded tracks, nor digital effects; varied sound is achieved solely through manipulation of the human voice. The name is a spoonerism inspired by the “heart in mouth” idiom; it speaks to the feelings evoked with the inception of the project, and nods to the fun places ones heart may end up— on one’s sleeve, in one’s mouth, lost, broken, mended. The music has been described as ethereal, even meditative, but also features catchy hooks and thoughtful lyrics. Martin Howth’s debut album, The Wayward Warbler was released in December 2018, and is available on all digital platforms, and CD. The second release, The Flurmannerys Present: A Howth Concert, is a live recording made in spring 2019, and is available on BandCamp and CD. Her third album, Distant Dissonance, is pending release in 2023.
Born in Long Island, New York, and raised in New Jersey, Mariel's great affinity for an eclectic mix of music styles was instilled in her from a young age, as was her propensity for the arts in general. For over ten years, she worked as a teaching artist, traveling to various schools and theatres in New Jersey. She has appeared in countless regional productions as well as regional theatre tours, and holds an AA and BFA in Theatre Performance from Brookdale Community College and Kean University, respectively.