“GABRIELA MARTINA’S SWISS ROOTS OFFER AN INCREDIBLE RANGE AS SHE PRACTICALLY YODELS HER WAY THROUGH “NARCISSUS” EN ROUTE TO HER MOSTLY ORIGINALS PROGRAM ON NO WHITE SHOES (SELF RELEASE; 55:42 ★★★★)”
– Downbeat, John Ephland
The album ‘Homage to Grämlis’ tells the story about my upbringing on a beautiful dairy farm in Switzerland. It includes traditional Swiss yodel sounds, cow bells, accordion and possibly alphorn explored with many different musical influences (Gospel/R’n’B/Soul/Jazz etc) I have been exposed to during my 13 years of living as a freelance musician here in the United States. Seven musicians are involved in this project who all pursue their own careers, some from different parts in the world and eager to share their knowledge in combination with the purpose of this album.
Nature has always been a huge part of my life and educational work about the cycle of food, nutrition combined with social work to build a better sense of community are major goals in my life. The passion of music and caring for others built up more and more within me, so that as a little girl, I had my dream to become a singer to save the world. I would like to share the story of my family – the work of my parents as farmers in Switzerland that changed the lives of a huge community.
homage to GrÄMlis
Slated to be released on July 14th 2023!
GABRIELA MARTINA – voice & composition & arrangements
VANCIL COOPER – drums & percussion
KYLE MILES – acoustic & electric bass
JUSSI REIJONEN – electric & acoustic guitar
MAXIM LUBARSKY - piano & keys
BEN ROSENBLUM – accordion
Guest musicians:
GUS SEBRING - (US) Alphorn
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Luis Bacqué
at ww.bacquerecording.com. New Jersey.
Assistant Engineer: Alex Conroy
Cinematography by Luis Bacqué
at www.bacquerecording.com New Jersey.
Food is a central part in our lives. Some have too little, some have clearly too much of it. My parents provided fresh food, a pet zoo and school classes were taught right there on the fields and in the stable. Their work taught many school kids where the milk really comes from, they planted trees as a sign for life that continues and squeezed the juice out of fresh apples in the fall to complete the cycle of seasons. Today we distance ourselves more and more from nature. As a result of having a small family farm (and mind you: this is in Switzerland with all its benefits) and struggling for years, my parents had to end their farm business before retirement age and my Dad had to find another job. It is very sad to have to observe how bigger companies are about to take over everywhere in the world they can find something resourceful.
My album tells various personal stories that people will be able to learn from with today’s global issues such as ‘hunger versus luxury’, ‘organic food versus processed food’, ‘farm life versus city life’ etc. In the end it all comes down to: healthy food > healthy bodies > healthy souls.
Through my new music, I have a feeling I will be able to come a step closer to my mission as a musician. Sharing my early life story in such a beautiful musical context can hopefully open some hearts for people in difficult situations.
THE ALBUM - Homage to Grämlis
includes:
This Country – That Country (05:37)
Song for My Father (6:38)
Mother Mary (08:30)
Four Siblings (05:04)
Heaven (04:52)
Mis Bruune Hüüsli (05:02)
Sleeping Beauty (05:55)
Letter to Grämlis (04:10)
D’Heimat Rüeft (Home Calls) (04:03)
Gone Tree (06:10)
Narcissus (03:36)
“Gabriela has the unique ability to send the listener on a sonic ride through beautiful vocals backed up by tight orchestration. It’s beyond easy on the ears .. it’s an elegance that captures the best of where jazz is today and why it was created in the first place.”
– Joe Dimino – Neon Jazz Radio – Kansas City, MO
“Martina’s take of “A Night In Tunisia” is the most powerful I’ve heard since Chaka Khan recorded it in 1981!”
- Jerry Gordon, Serenade to a Cuckoo WPRB 103.3 FM, Princeton University
GABRIELA MARTINA - voice & compositions & arrangments
VANCIL COOPER - drums & percussion
MAXIM LUBARSKY - piano & keys
KYLE MILES - acoustic & electric bass
JUSSI REIJONEN - electric & acoustic guitar
BEN ROSENBLUM - accordion