A highly assured and engaging debut, offering an enticing and contemporary blend of cinematic, classical & middle-eastern themes. Improvisations are inventive, the arrangements are first rate and the variety on offer ensures the entertainment level is kept high. All in all, a remarkable debut.
As you step back from ‘Life’ you recognise that this is an album that has drawn its own subtle arc, that’s taken you back and moved you forward, remembering the familiar and finding new ground. The Maria Grapsa Sextet have written excellent first chapter in a story that looks set to run and run.
Piano song, improvisation and modern jazz writing are the means that Maria portrays her journey through the interior. As a classically trained, explorative jazz musician, she empowers her ensemble to flow free form through original compositions; steam hard in tenor jazz and intricate, emotionally-charged cinematic ballads. Each performance unites a band at the edge of unfolding discoveries and projects shapes that are round and together – as a unit they defy dynamics from pin drop knife edge solo performances from the horns to roars from the rhythm section.
Maria’s music is a captivating blend of her Greek heritage, Middle Eastern, folk, Latin influences, and the timeless jazz tradition. A multi-award-winning artist, she has already been making an impact with her debut album, LIFE (Musical Dojo Records 2023)