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Marsha grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Allentown, PA in rural Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Her family came to the Philadelphia area in the mid 1700ís. Descended from great, great uncles who were soldiers in the Civil Warís Bucktail Regiment to gypsy fortunetellers and artists living off the land that they farmed, her lineage is historic and colorful.

The youngest of three children, she began playing piano when she was five. Her mother, a gifted musician, was the local church pianist. In third grade, when given the opportunity to choose an instrument to study, her parents insisted on the saxophone.

But she didnít limit her studies to sax, having studied flute and clarinet, as well as voice and guitar, while continuing her study of piano. Each year she was selected to participate in district and countywide festivals and played with local rock bands in high school. ìWhen I saw Phil Woods perform in nearby Reading, PA, I knew then that saxophone was what I would pursue in life.

She continued studying classical saxophone with David Bilger and classical piano with his wife, Doreen Bilger. Awarded several prestigious scholarships, Marsha began her undergraduate work at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and received a Bachelor of Music in 1991 and holds a Masters in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music.

She has studied privately with Eric Person, Ron Kerber, John Blake, Larry McKenna, Jim Pugh, John Stubblefield and Sir Roland Hanna. In June 2002, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Musicís Professional development Fund awarded her a grant to study with the renowned Jimmie Amadie.

She moved to L.A. in 1991 and began playing with contemporary jazz and rock musicians for the next year. "By the following year, I felt beckoned by the east coast and bought a one-way ticket to New York City and have been in New York since 1992 and may never give up my Manhattan views."

Her music spans the gamut of Latin, Funk, Jazz and Rock. She has performed with Grover Washington, Bill Watrous, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, John Stubblefield, George Gee and his ìMake Believe Ballroom Orchestraî and with Paul Schaefer in a guest appearance on The David Letterman Show.

In and around New York City, Marsha plays with her own ensemble, performing in both private and public venues. As well as performing each month for recovering patients at NYU Hospitalís Rusk Institute.

Visit Marsha's website, www.marshaheydt.com, for more information.

Release Date: October 30, 2007

The title “One Night” came to me while sitting on my roof, looking towards the Manhattan skyline. I have been blessed living in the Big Apple surrounded by my friends and colleagues. This recording is a compilation of the various experiences I’ve had as a student of both music and life. I’ve chosen both original material and some of my favorite standards, adding a new twist. I am thrilled to share my debut CD, “One Night” with you.

CD Reviews

"Heydt gets special coming out of nowhere points for her groove packed cover of 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy' which is a proving ground for any swinging musician. Enough of an ace to share space with aces like Grover Washington, Randy Brecker and others, her updates on classics and standards will have you wondering where she's been all your life. Tasty stuff you're sure to enjoy."

— Chris Spector, Midwest Record, www.midwestrecord.com

"Not many female saxplayers in her age, and she's good."

— Kjell Andreassen, Radio Denmark, www.radioholstebro.dk