Proudly presenting Live at @Belmont Villa – Session LXXIX:
MARIA GRAPSA QUINTET – Maria Grapsa (rhodes, compositions), Becca Wilkins (vocals, lyrics), Luke Chakrabarti (alto saxophone), Sam Ingvorsen (double bass) & Anmol Mohara (drums)
Unscripted, unedited, real, raw, live music.
Massive thanks to everyone that came down to a Full House Pizza Express last month!
I had a lovely time playing some original music along some of my favourite musicians: Liam Brennan, Kai Chareunsy, Matthew Kilner, Becca Wilkins, Emma Rawicz, Tommy Fuller. Thank you to Kaibi and Jonathan Trotman for the lovely captures of the night.
I am very happy to announce that I have received the Help Musicians Transmission Fund Award! I’m in the process of writing new music and this support could not be more appreciated and helpful at this time. A BIG THANK YOU to Help Musicians for believing in my music and giving me this opportunity!
Brand new original music coming soon!
We recorded live this duet version of the song “Pure Imagination” around this time of the year last year.
Matthew Kilner on tenor sax
Maria Grapsa on piano
Very special thanks to our sound engineer Niccolo Conti, videographer Gareth Howell Videography and his assistant for this session Joe Kessel.
I hope you all enjoy this festive period and you keep dreaming for whatever you wish to dream for.
Happy holidays to all!
I was thrilled to participate in Rebekkah Lycett’s major project ‘IMPASTO- A musician’s sketchbook’.
Eucalyptus Trees by Olivia Murphy: I. Light Green II. Darker III. Blue IV. Lighter V. Ripples VI. Red
Creative Director and original artwork: Rebekkah Lycett
Evening Live Artist: Fawn Clements
Synesthete: Joseph Spinoza
Videography: Gareth Howell and Brandon Wall
Musicians:
Rebekkah Lycett – Saxophone, Becca Wilkins – Vocals, Jonno Gaze – Drums, Asaph Tal – Double Bass, Emily Hopper – Harp, Maria Grapsa – Piano, Zach Stephens – Violin, Vanessa Chuang – Violin, Aimee Lucas – Viola, Matthew Phillips – Cello, Olivia Murphy – Director and composer
Lyrics ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me
Oh no, it’s just the nearness of you
It isn’t your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation
Oh no, it’s just the nearness of you
When you’re in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams come true
I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you‘ll only grant me
The right to hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness of you
I’ve created the new project ‘Dialogue in’ , a series of live studio recordings full of improvisation, spontaneity and musical dialogues. This project attempts to talk about the importance of being in the moment, present with ourselves and each other, communicating in a genuine way whilst creating music. With the cross-disciplinary project, I am hoping to open a dialogue in between artists, musicians of all kinds and audience. The live videos and audio recordings will be available across all online platforms. I will be posting a new video every week on Sundays.
The first video features Louis, Matthew and me. We walked in the recording studio and we were discussing what to play and record. This ‘Dialogue In’ project of mine came “out of nowhere” so we went for that jazz standard.
This is the first time we are playing all together, the three of us. We took the time to meet each other musically and connect in a special way. This is why we love improvising. The music allows us to have a free, genuine and respectful dialogue in between us.
CREDITS
Sound Engineer: Niccolo Conti
Videographer: Gareth Howell
Musicians: Matthew Kilner (tenor sax), Louis Stringer (d. bass), M. Grapsa (piano)
Performing the jazz standard and popular song “Out of nowhere”, composed by Johnny Green, first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1931. Green dedicated this song to his first wife Carol who persuaded him to abandon his financial career in order to pursue his musical career.
-M
Colectiva – Alternative Act of the Year
Comprised of some of London’s most exciting female musicians, this all-girl Latin band explores the spaces between Afro-Latin music and Jazz while reflecting on themes of sisterhood and female empowerment. Their sound has resonated with audiences all over London in its short life and also got the thumbs up from the judges.
Latino Life Magazine- Lukas Music Winners 2019
Lukas Awards- Alternative Act 2019 winners
