Martha Tilton was an American singer who achieved her greatest prominence during the swing era. Born on November 14, 1915, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Tilton's family moved to Los Angeles when she was young, where she found her footing in the music industry. Her crystalline voice and effortless delivery soon caught the attention of big bands in the 1930s. Tilton became famous as the "Liltin' Miss Tilton" and particularly shone as a member of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, with whom she scored a massive hit with "And the Angels Sing" in 1939.

During her career, Martha Tilton worked with various other orchestras and had a strong solo career. She was a featured vocalist on the radio series "The Chesterfield Supper Club" and even made appearances in films, further elevating her status as a household name. Following her work with Goodman, Tilton transitioned into recording for Capitol Records where she continued to release successful records. Her work during the 1940s established her as one of the era's definitive voices. Though her recording activity declined in the latter half of the 20th century, her legacy was revisited and appreciated anew with the release of retrospective collections like "The Complete Standard Transcriptions," "The Capitol Recordings," and "The Coral Years," which captured the essence of her contributions to jazz and pop standards. Martha Tilton's music continues to be a touchstone for fans of classic American jazz and swing music, long after her passing on December 8, 2006.

Genres

Big Band

British Dance Band

Swing

Tin Pan Alley

Vintage Jazz

Latest Release

Sway & Swing - Martha Tilton's Relaxing Jazz Grooves

Martha Tilton

Album - 11 Tracks - Released July 28, 2023