It is a set of 8 songs: five original songs and arrangements for another three: a modal jazz standard, a Scottish folk ballad and a Spanish copla. I have composed and arranged all the songs inspired by the jazz that has developed mainly in New York during the last 20 years. The intention of this proposal is not to literally copy elements from foreign cultures, but to apply the parameters of composition and musical assimilation of jazz from this era to my own works. My instrument is the voice. I’ve written the music for quartet :guitar, double bass, drums and voice. Flugelhorn, keyboard and electric bass are occasionally included.

The objective of this project is to balance the weight in the word-music relationship. For each song, lyrics hide a concept that can be summarized with a few key words. Thus, the common thread is made up of this set of words that have served as a starting point to develop the composition or arrangement. The text  speaks through the instruments that sound. Ultimately, the content of these words could be understood even if the song was not sung with words. The words have lightened their weight, since their meaning also falls on musical elements. Sounds speak.

CREDITS

Recorded in Camaleón Music Studio, Madrid, ES (2022)

Mix & Master by Mariano Míguez en Ideo Music, Buenos Aires, AR 

Produced by MÓNICA MATABUENA

Record Label ERRABAL JAZZ (hotsak.com)

Photos: Mara Saiz

Graphic Design: LaVita.es

Mónica Matabuena - Voice, Marco Martínez - Guitar, Ander García Bass and Double bass

Miguel Benito - Drums, Guests: Jorge Castañeda - Fender Rhodes and Chris Kase - Flugelhorn

BIO
After years performing traditional jazz repertoire and just graduated from Musica Creativa School, the most contemporary jazz-oriented Conservatory in Madrid, I’ve just found  my own voice expressed through my compositions. I am releasing my debut album “MATABUENAPURA”, a set of original songs and arrangements, sung mostly in Spanish with an aesthetic inspired by contemporary jazz .

I am a jazz singer and vocal coach, I’ve been studying music and voice technique for more than a decade. I am one of these women who got overwhelmed by 2008’s financial crisis linked to a familiar situation (mother with babies ;)). Being working as a meteorologist for over a decade I adapted myself to the circumstances and started studying music in a consistent way. I’ve studied a lot from scratch and been involved in several projects as a traditional jazz singer. Finally, more than a decade after, at my 50 birthday ;) I got my Official Master Degree in Modern Music at Escuela de Música Creativa, (Madrid Conservatory) as well as getting Level III as a Certified Teacher from the Institute for the Vocal Advancement, Now I split my working day between my artistic project and my business: I own a voice studio who teaches music and singing technique and at the same time I am preparing my debut álbum.

Further info here