Martha Reeves and The Vandellas at Jazz Cafe

Responsible for an enviable string of hits - 'Nowhere to Run', 'My Baby Loves Me', 'I'm Ready For Love', 'Jimmy Mack', and, of course, the Motown anthem 'Dancing In The Street' - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas have become synonymous with 'the sound of young America.' It was precisely 50 years ago that a young Martha Lavaille, a soulful performer with a strident voice, joined the A&R department of the fledgling Motown label in Detroit where she would look after Little Stevie Wonder during office hours. Within a year, she had caught the eye of label boss Berry Gordy and recorded her debut album with a new band and new name - Martha and the Vandellas - and was on the way to becoming one of Motown's most successful and enduring recording outfits. This year Martha Reeves celebrates her 70th birthday, yet with the same distinctive voice, presence, wit and energy, she continues to thrill audiences around the world. She has established herself as singer-songwriter with few limitations - rock, jazz, country, gospel, blues and classical and her performances illicit rave reviews.