Already an established artist on the acoustic music scene, it was shortly after completing the Leverhulme Artist Development programme, a scholarship awarded to only 5 people in the country and run by acclaimed venue The Stables founded by Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth, that Martyna sat down at her piano and unknowingly began to write her first jazz song.
Despite a longstanding love of jazz having spent hours as a teenager pouring over old jazz records and guest singing with various big bands it wasn’t until a meeting with jazz pianist John Bowman in 2007 that Martyna found her own voice in Jazz and has continued to develop it ever since.
Following the release of her critically acclaimed Oh Butterfly EP, Martyna is currently back in the studio recording a number of original jazz works that capture the magic of the cool jazz era. With an exciting new line up that adds vibes and cello to John Bowman's trio, there's more than a hint of intentional nostalgia and a clear nod to influences such as June Christy and Julie London in both her writing and live performances.
"Martyna has an incredible voice, it will take you to places you'll want to visit again and again." Richard Allinson BBC Radio 2
"Classic song after classic song." BBC Radio London
ignite
Our free ignite series takes place in the relaxed atmosphere of the Royal Albert Hall's Café Consort and features performances from talented artists, from gypsy jazz to Celtic folk.
Keep an eye out for exclusive ignite lunch offers available every Friday. The full Café Consort menu is also available - click here to see the sample menu.