“This is a highly assured and engaging debut, offering an enticing and contemporary blend of cinematic, classical and 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.”
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
