Chanteuse, girl-next-door and perceptive poet all rolled into one, the Washington Post calls Barbara Martin’s music “… as American in style as it is universal in emotional intelligence.” Over a career spanning more than twenty years, Barbara has performed country, folk, New-Wave rock and toured the singer-songwriter circuit. But when Barbara began listening to Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Billie Holiday and working with blues and jazz guitarist Mac Walter and bassist Steve Wolf in the early 90’s, she realized blues and jazz were her musical raison d'être. Keyboardist and singer-songwriter Eli Staples' songs make a unique blend of influences from country, soul, and jazz, combining the singer-songwriter work of James Taylor, the harmonies and soul of Donny Hathaway, and the lyrical pianism of Keith Jarrett. He will be performing his original songs and some of his favorite songs this evening. “....the most valuable player award goes to Eli Staples...” - Baltimore Magazine.