EPK
Artist Biography
MUSICISTA * MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST * SINGER-SONGWRITER
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.
On Marta’s multi-instrumentalist and multi-genre stage, she embarks on a journey towards the musical horizons of Jazz, Blues, Folk – and all that lies beyond.
The Portuguese artist creates a sparkling bridge between the known and the new: The curiosity of the ancient Portuguese explorer meets the spirit of the 21st century woman – and what a spirit it is!
Marta studied guitar in JBJAZZ and voice in Hot Clube de Portugal. At Lusíada University of Lisbon, Marta completed a degree in Jazz and Modern Music, specializing in guitar. With her graduation she became the first female jazz guitarist of Portugal. Marta has created a variation of projects such as a storytelling show, musical theater performances, a cultural festival, her band “MaZéi” and her solo project “Marta and The Boat”.
After Marta’s first album “Alcanchais” with MaZéi (2017), in the last years she has released the singles “Ó Amor Todo, Ó Amor Às Vezes”(2018), “Êxodo” (2019),“Esmeralda” (2021), and her second album “Christmas with Marta” (2020). Her third album “Marta and the Boat – Live from the Middle of the Atlantic” (2022) captures her solo-project “Marta and the Boat” live from Lava Jazz Club on the Azores islands. Marta’s most recent release comprises “The Higher Hope”, “Bedtime Memory”, “Guess What” and “Worry Free” (EP, 2023).
Latest Show & New Album
Marta & The Boat
Marta Duarte d’Almeida’s new show takes the audience into unexpected waters.
“Marta’s latest show creates a sparkling bridge between the known and the new. The curiosity of the ancient Portuguese explorer meets the spirit of the 21st century woman – and what a spirit it is! In her multi-instrumentalist stage boat, she embarks on a journey towards the musical horizons of Jazz, Blues, Folk – and all that lies beyond.” – eventbrite.com
We decided to record Marta & The Boat as a live album. The energy of a live concert is so unique, the shared moments, the “convivência” as we say in Portuguese. And “The Boat” is also about sharing, the sharing with the audience, the interaction with and participation in the songs.
To take it back to the image of the beginning: “Marta & The Boat” is not only about the freedom, the exploration, it is also about where it can go to encounter people. It has been great to take this show to many different stages, and this is also very symbolic for me now that I moved away from Portugal and am exploring the big, wide world! Let’s hope that music continues to bring people together, to create understanding and peace – things we need more than ever!” – Marta Duarte d’Almeida, March 2022
Interview
Marta & The Boat
But for me, “The Boat” also carries an emotional meaning of freedom, of independence – as an artist and as a woman – in the world of today.
In the last two years, our notion of time changed. We were stuck in our homes, and for us artists this was quite a huge change from our normal life. In those months I focused on what it is that I love about making music, and I finally had the courage to explore my passion for multi-instrumentalism. So, the Boat became my “exploration space”, my ecosystem to try and play around with all the sounds that fascinated me.
So, from the limitation of being stuck to a certain spot, due to the state of the world, stuck to a certain role as a woman in music, came this incredible liberation, this explosion of freedom. And with that of course grew new songs.
Highlights
In 2024, Marta was awarded a merit-based scholarship for prestigious Berklee College of Music’s summer program and performed at Berklee Performance Center and The Red Room at Cafe 939.
Marta’s arrangement and performance of “Barco Negro” was awarded two first prizes in the UK International Music Competition in 2023.
“Marta and the Boat” was recorded live at Lava Jazz Club, producing Marta’s first solo album “Marta and the Boat – Live from the Middle of the Atlantic” in 2022.
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)
CCB Belém (Lisbon, Portugal)
Casa da Música (Porto, Portugal)
Casa do Alentejo (Lisbon, Portugal)
Castelo de S.Jorge (Lisboa, Portugal)
Expo Mora (Mora, Portugal)
FAQ Bregenzerwald (Vorarlberg, Austria)
Altes Hallenband (Vorarlberg, Austria)
Festival Verso Adentro (Aracena, Spain)
MAGIS (Cracow, Poland)
Lava Jazz (Açores Islands)
Piedras Vivas (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)
TEDx Almada (Almada, Portugal)
Teatro da Trindade (Lisbon, Portugal)
Academics
2024 | Berklee College of Music Summer Program
2018 | Licentiate degree in Jazz and Modern Music, Lusíada University of Lisboa
2016 | Voice Course, Hot Clube Portugal, Lisboa
2012 | General Jazz Course, JBJAZZ School, Lisboa
