EPK
Marta Duarte d'Almeida
MUSICISTA * MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST * SINGER-SONGWRITER * COMPOSER * ARRANGER
Biography
Portuguese singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger Marta Duarte d’Almeida began her musical journey as soon as she could walk, as the youngest child of a musical family in Portugal’s cork region, Alentejo. In a garage band with her older siblings, teenage Marta acquired her first taste for performing live music. After moving to Portugal ‘s capital city, Marta studied at JBJAZZ and at Hot Clube de Portugal in Lisbon.
Marta‘s infinite thirst for creating music without the limits of genre or instrument then took her to study Jazz and Modern Music at Lusíada University in Lisbon, and Performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She became the first woman in Portuguese history to graduate as a professional jazz guitarist. Since then, Marta has added many other instruments to her skillset. The extraordinary performer, musicista, multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger has won several international awards.
Marta’s astonishing instrumentalism, distinctive voice and captivating presence take her audiences into a magical, multi-genre world, free of conventions where all of Marta’s compositions, interpretations and performances come enfolded in her unique charisma.
Marta has created a variety of projects such as a storytelling show, cultural soirées, musical theater performances, a music festival, her band “MaZéi”, her solo project “Marta and The Boat”, and performs internationally in various formations under her own name.
Albums
Alcanchais, with her band MaZéi (2017)
Christmas with Marta (2020)
Marta and the Boat – Live from the Middle of the Atlantic (2022)
OVERSEAS (2026)
Singles and EPs
Ó Amor Todo, Ó Amor Às Vezes (2018)
Êxodo (2019)
Esmeralda (2021)“
The Higher Hope (EP, 2023)
Overseas (2026)
Latest Album
OVERSEAS
For her latest album OVERSEAS, Marta Duarte d’Almeida has assembled an inter-continental and multi-cultural collective of virtuoso artists who join her in bringing her artistic vision to life.
OVERSEAS is a journey into life and the after-life, oceans and shores, our inner and outer worlds. It was recorded around the world and with over 20 fellow musicians, on 5 continents and across 4 oceans, in studios from the Austrian Alps to the Singaporean skyscrapers, from the Indian jungle to the historic streets of Boston.
Once more, all of the tracks come out of the pen of Portuguese artist Marta Duarte d’Almeida, who demonstrates her songwriting and arranging excellence. It is her clear creative vision that unites the many different musicians, instruments, styles and (musical) languages of this album into one. OVERSEAS sings with the depth and hopefulness that is so typical for Marta Duarte d’Almeida’s work.
The genre-defying album is rooted in Jazz, which the artist spent her educational years on (she studied Jazz and Modern Music at Lusíada University in Lisbon and Performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston). However, as anyone who has followed her work will know, Marta Duarte d’Almeida always revels in her Portuguese roots and enjoys going on world music adventures for her compositions.
With musical mastery, Marta Duarte d’Almeida and her internationally acclaimed fellow musicians bring OVERSEAS to life. Audiences can expect an adventurous performance – rich in energy, storytelling, and surprise – where musical boundaries remain deliberately open.
OVERSEAS is performed in various formations. It was recorded in collaboration with many appraised artists from countries such as Austria, Colombia, Cuba, India, Iran, Singapore, Switzerland, and USA.
Released with KlangfaBrik label. The cover is an original work by Marjan Poodat.
Technical Rider upon request (depending on formation).
Distinguished double bassist, composer and arranger Herwig Hammerl (Austria): studied at Vorarlberger Landeskonservatorium, active arranger and producer of music for theater, founder of the „Bäckerei“ music studio. He has performed with renowned artists such as Peter Madsen, Harry Sokal, David Helbock, Alfred Vogel, Kesivan Naidoo and others.
Accomplished and versatile Cuban Cellist Yenisey Rodriguez (Cuba): studied at Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA) and Escuela Superior de Arte in Havanna. Performed with Wiener Jeunesse Ostschweiz, Ensemble Concordanza, SALINGARI Kollektiv, Andreas Paragioudakis, Peter Herbert, Martin Grabher, Njamy Sitson Group.
Jazz pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger Alizon Lissance (USA): studied at Berklee College of Music, where she is a longtime educator and faculty member. Winner of the Boston Music Award. Bandleader of The Love Dogs, performed with Daena Giardella, LaVern Baker, Mighty Sam McClain, Shirley Lewis, Toni Lynn Washington and others.
Collaborations
OVERSEAS Musicians
OVERSEAS is performed in various formations. It was recorded in collaboration with many appraised artists from countries such as Austria, Colombia, Cuba, India, Singapore, Switzerland, USA, including:
Grammy-winning double-bassist Luques Curtis (USA): studied under Andy Gonzalez and John Lockwood, and at Berklee College of Music. Highly active in the Afro-Latin and New York jazz scenes. Performed with Eddie Palmieri, Stefon Harris, Ralph Peterson, Christian Scott, Joe Santiago, Christian Sands and others.
Grammy-nominated drummer and percussionist Túpac Mantilla (Colombia): studied at New England Conservatory, founder of the global percussion network PERCUACTION, director at Panama Jazz Festival, director of Colombia’s Percussion Group TEKEYÉ®. Played with Bobby McFerrin, Esperanza Spalding, Zakir Hussain, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, Julian Lage and others.
Internationally awarded jazz pianist Claude Diallo (Switzerland): studied at Berklee College of Music Queens College in New York, learned under Charlie Banacos and Danilo Perez. Leader of his trio “Claude Diallo Situation”, finalist at Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition, performed with James Williams, Louis Cato, Jennifer Holliday, Kenwood Dennard and others.
Internationally demanded world percussionist Claudio Spieler (Austria): a student of Hakim Ludin, Alex Acuña, Luis Conte, Swapan Chaudhuri. Winner of the Austrian Jazz Prize as part of the Austrian Syndicate. Performed with Konstantin Wecker, Peter Madsen, Mamadou Diabate, Abbos Kosimov, Mehdi Nassouli and others.
Highlights
In 2026, Marta released OVERSEAS, an album with over 20 international musician collaborators. The album was awarded two first prizes at a Swiss music competition.
In 2026, Marta was invited to perform OVERSEAS at the exclusive Lisbon Living Room Sessions.
In 2024, Marta was awarded a merit-based scholarship for the prestigious Berklee College of Music’s Performance Program and performed at Berklee Performance Center and The Red Room at Cafe 939.
Marta was awarded several prizes for her arrangement and performance of “Barco Negro” and “Remain” in 2023 and 2024 in two international music competitions.
With her graduation from Lusíada University in 2018, Marta became the first female jazz guitarist of Portugal. Her alma mater consequentially invited her as a guest speaker for “Jazz and Modern Music in Portugal: The Musicians of Now” in 2021.
With her band project – MaZéi – Marta successfully produced and performed in her own annual music festival (“Festa MaZéi”) in Lisbon’s Casa do Alentejo for five consecutive years, each attracting hundreds of fans and music lovers.
In 2021, Marta’s single Esmeralda was chosen for noted editorial Spotify playlists (EQUAL playlist series focusing on empowered women artists, Indie Lusitano playlist collecting the “excellent sounds of the new generation of Portuguese artists”).
Top Venues
Berklee Performance Center (Boston, USA)
The Red Room at Cafe 939 (Boston, USA)
Waves Vienna (Vienna, Austria)
FAQ Bregenzerwald (Bezau, Austria)
TAK Theater (Schaan, Liechtenstein)
Theater St. Gallen (Switzerland)
CCB Belém (Lisbon, Portugal)
Casa da Música (Porto, Portugal)
Fábrica Braço de Prata (Lisbon, Portugal)
Lisbon Living Room Sessions (Lisbon, Portugal)
Castelo de S.Jorge (Lisboa, Portugal)
Festival Verso Adentro (Aracena, Spain)
MAGIS (Cracow, Poland)
Lava Jazz (Açores Islands)
Press & Reviews
Magazin für Kultur und Gesellschaft, 2026
.”None other than pianist Peter Madsen (…) is thrilled by the colorful musical mix of jazz and world music from the Alentejo-born Marta Duarte d‘Almeida: “Around every corner is another surprise! (…) This is music to pay attention to, music to enjoy on many levels, and music that will take you on a very special journey! I highly recommend it.” It’s the kind of enthusiasm you’ll want to share after just a few bars come out of the speakers.”
jazz.pt, 2026
A música é uma forma de atravessar oceanos.
No novo álbum apresenta uma proposta de jazz em diálogo com a linguagem da folk, contando com a participação de músicos como Alfred Vogel, Claude Diallo, Luques Curtis, Túpac Mantilla, Claudio Spieler e Herwig Hammerl, entre outros.
Diário Do Alentejo, 2021
“Marta is a master of several musical instruments and possesses a charismatic voice that takes the audience on a journey through the magical world of jazz and Portuguese folk, all blended with the art of storytelling overflowing with energy and emotion.”
Meia De Rock And Açoriano Oriental, 2019
“A one-girl show. The self-titled musicista has brought us her jazz, her Alentejo songs, her stories told through her music (…) she has an expression that entices (…).”
