MADELINE EASTMAN

Madeline Eastman (born June 27, 1954, San Francisco, California), is an American jazz singer. As one of the queens of jazz, audiences love her bold and original interpreter of the jazz canon and for her lively onstage persona. Madeline Eastman is a creative singer with an appealing voice. At 18, while watching the movie "Lady Sings the Blues," Madeline became enchanted with Diana Ross's portrayal of jazz legend Billie Holiday. Not yet realizing how serious and dedicated she would need to be, Eastman considered becoming a jazz singer. She has listened deeply to Miles Davis, particularly his mid-'60s quintet with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams. Among vocalists, her prime inspiration is Carmen McRae, one of jazz's most incisive lyric interpreters. "There's the holy trinity – Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae – and for me it was really Carmen from the beginning," Eastman said.  In 2004, read more...