Martin Grosswendt

About

Martin Grosswendt and Susanne Salem-Schatz

Start with two compelling voices, an uncanny sense of harmony and a deep grounding in traditional American music. Add stunning guitar work and a warm, intimate performance style, and you have Martin Grosswendt and Susanne Salem-Schatz.

Martin is internationally known as an interpreter of pre-war blues and other roots music, playing early in his career with folk legends such as U. Utah Phillips, Rosalie Sorrels, and Jim Ringer & Mary McCaslin. A veteran of Boston’s roots music scene, Susanne slips seamlessly into any genre; soulful blues singer one minute, sassy honky-tonk gal the next. Martin and Susanne’s performances strike a deep emotional chord. They share their deep love and respect for the roots of classic blues, old time, and early country as they make the music their own, presenting it with style, grace and wit.

Martin and Susanne sang together for several years in a popular Boston Honky-Tonk and Western Swing band before they began touring as a duo in 2015. Their first CD together, Old Songs, New Hats, was released the same year; a new recording is in the works.

The tastiest set of music I’ve heard in years.
— Chris Applin, Good Times Café, Hinesburg, VT

Martin and Susanne are a revelation. They play with a seamless grace and power that make you think that the blending of their considerable talents and gifts was inevitable. The depths of their repertoire, skills, and musical knowledge are humbling. The walls still resonate the good time had by all!
— Wayne Beach, Concerts at Phippsburg Congregational Church, Phippsburg, ME

These folks are talented, versatile instrumentalists with powerful harmonies and a warm stage presence. I am already looking forward to a return visit.
— Karie Miller, First Encounter Concert Series, Eastham, MA

Together Martin and Susanne explore the highways and byways of traditional and vernacular American music in a unique and compelling way that’s all their own. If they come your way, don’t miss them.”
— Andy Wallace former Program Director, National Folk Festival; Associate Director, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival; and Associate Director, National Council for the Traditional Arts