Press
“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
“{...} GABRIELA MARTINA, THIS IDIOSYNCRATIC SWISS SINGER, WHO SPICES UP HER SOMETIMES MUSICAL-SOUNDING JAZZY SONGS WITH ALPINE SOUNDS AND ROCKING ELECTRIC GUITAR PASSAGES, YODELING INCLUDED. ORIGINAL AND BRAVE AND SOMEWHERE AN EXPERIMENTAL WORK OF ART ... {…}”
CONCERTO-Magazin (AT) by Herbert Höpfl - p.53, 2023
“Even the first few minutes of this album leave no doubt that we are dealing with music of the highest caliber.”
Jazz Fun (DE) | By Jacek Brun
“‘HOMAGE TO GRÄMLIS’ IS A STEPPING STONE THAT 99 PERCENT OF ASPIRING JAZZ MUSICIANS CAN DREAM OF.”
Jazznu (NL) by Rinus van der Heijden, 2023
“WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR IN MUSIC IS TO NOT ALWAYS KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING NEXT. I WANT TO SURPRISE MYSELF AND BE A PART OF THE MOMENT OF CREATION, EXPRESSING MYSELF IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, EVERY TIME I SING.”
DownBeat Magazine (US) by J.Poet - p.66, Oct 2023
English Text Press
DownBeat Magazine (US) by J.Poet - p.66
All About Jazz (US) - featuring ‘Gone Tree’ (audio)
Improv Exchange (US) by Leander Young - podcast
Dutch Text Press
Jazznu (NL) by Rinus van der Heijden
Heaven Magazine (NL) by Eric van Domburg Scipio
Jazzflits (NL) by Hans Invernizzi - p.12
German Text Press
JAZZ’N’MORE (CH) by Christof Thurnherr - p.38
Fifteen Questions (DE) by Tobias Fischer
CONCERTO-Magazin (AT) by Herbert Höpfl - p.53
Other Press
PJ portrait in jazz (JP) by Hiroki Sugita
Culture Jazz (FR) by Yves Dorison
Nettavisen Nyheter (NO) by Tor Hammerø
“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 ★★★★). Her delivery is a blend of jazz with pop improvisation, and her creative, invested covers of Wayne Shorter’s “Witch Hunt” (stunningly sung as overdubbed a cappella) and Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night In Tunisia” (a flat-out rocker featuring guitarist Jussi Reijonen) uproot convention.”
– Downbeat, John Ephland
“…The songwriting and singing both recall Joni Mitchell—one of pop music’s greatest eclectic artists—and Finnish guitarist Jussi Reijonen turns in a memorable rock guitar solo….An impressive debut. Gabriela Martina has a contemporary sound—similar to artists like Gretchen Parlato or even Norah Jones—but with more emphasis on her own songwriting. It’s a potent blend of jazz and pop, stamped with her own personality and aided by a strong backing band…”
-Mark Sullivan from All About Jazz
Musician/composer (librarian by profession) with a special interest in bebop-based jazz and experimental music, writer for All About Jazz
“No White Shoes offers an impressive range of musical settings for Gabriela Martina’s agile voice in her originals and her unexpected takes on jazz standards. Of note are the gorgeous layered a cappella vocals in her treatment of Wayne Shorter’s “Witch Hunt,” the mood swings from the introspective “Us”and “Love Me” to the r&b bump of the title song, and a rocked up take on Dizzy’s “A Night in Tunisia.” Throughout, Gabriela scats liberally while also generously sharing solo time with her very capable band members. The album is a strong showing for Gabriela.”
-Mark Small, Editor, Berklee Today magazine
“Female jazz singers with a timbre, an expressiveness, a voice range and such a feeling for real good songs you’ll find not so often at the moment. Gabriela Martina’s voice is swinging upwards in the highest heights, and in the next moment she’s trying some scat-singing. Amazing!”
-Rainer Bratfisch, Jazz Podium, Germany
“The vocal range is impressive and the phrasing and not delivery reflect Martina’s unique style. […] For originality and pure voice Martina scores five stars. […] “
– by Derek Ansell, Jazz Journal, UK
“Ich brauche das Kribbeln. Vielleicht auch die latente Unsicherheit.”
Gabriela Martina
MORE SWISS PRESS:
Le Temps, by Christian Jacot-Descombes (July 24th 2019)
Tele 1 (June 28th 2019) Yodel competition in my home town Horw (near Lucerne)
‘From Yodel to Bebop” Swissinfo Video (2019)
“The jazz singer with Swiss folk roots'“ Swissinfo podcast (2020)
“States” arrives at a moment of transition for Gabriela Martina and for culture in general. As far as the latter is concerned, we're all familiar with the seismic shifts the planet is experiencing: we're still readjusting to life after a global pandemic, while preparing for a crucial US presidential election that will have repercussions not just for the country, but for the world as a whole - and will certainly be spiritually and emotionally exhausting.”
By France Musique - Open Jazz (FR)
“Even the first few minutes of this album leave no doubt that we are dealing with music of the highest caliber. Beautiful themes, melodies and lyrics, sometimes lively, sometimes solemn and always carefully arranged, cast a spell over the listener. These are musical themes full of nostalgia, with soft colors and a unique atmosphere.”
By Jacek Brun | Jazz Fun (DE)
“Singing poetically allusive lyrics that invite repeated listenings, Martina is backed by a thoroughly modern band with a solid grounding in traditional jazz/blues/rock, giving States a contemporary, of-the-moment feel. Occupying the rare space where intellect and passion co-exist, this is an international musical project that invites thoughtful, heartfelt engagement.”
By Michael Konik | “Thought of Today” (California, US)
“I don’t know if Gabriela Martina will continue with this band, {…}, but States stands as the beautiful and compellingly original work of a supremely talented musician.”
By Jon Davis – Exposé (Seattle, US)
“Martina makes no secret of her influences and although listening to her you find yourself wondering where you've heard some of her tunes before, what ultimately matters is that her approach brings out a pure and personal view.”
By Vangelis Aragianni | Jazzbuzz (GRC)
“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’s music absolutely shines with many moments of intensity, but every so often you are privy to that elusive moment of the music’s whispered breath and being.”
–Raul da Gama, Jazz Global Media, Canada
“One of the most exciting albums to come out this year so far! It is a delightful fusion of jazz, jazz rock, and folk jazz. Definitely a voice to look out for in the future.”
-Ruth Fisher, JazzFM
“What a breath of fresh air! Brilliant songwriter. This CD deserves more attention worldwide! “
– Bradley M. Stone, Host: “The Creative Source,” SoulandJazz.com Radio
“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. Gabriela is a talent that shines on today and will continue to dazzle as her career marches on confidently like a soaring song she puts her touch on.”
– Joe Dimino – Neon Jazz Radio – Kansas City, MO
“… I had the pleasure of performing with Gabriela Martina at the 7th Shure Jazz Voice Competition, hosted by the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2009. Gabriela is an outstanding arranger and vocalist. Her talent and skills have exposed her to many respected and wellknown musicians…”
-Patrice Rushen
Composer/Producer/International Recording Artist/Pianist/ Educator
“The one to really raise the eyebrows is an almost Queen-like read with electrical guitars on a roller coaster ride during “A Night In Tunisia” while pulling out the passion plugs on a delicate piano duet on “Thirsty Flower.” A wonderful white knuckler.”
– by George Harris, Jazz weekly