Rebecca Martin Contributes to ‘My Life is Bold’ an Arts for Life Project

Rebecca Martin along with Becca Stevens, Gretchen Parlato, Tillery, Aaron Parks, Kate McGarry, Taylor Eigsti, Harish Raghavan, Larry Grenadier and others contributed to the newly released album “My Life is Bold” an Arts for Life Project.

A release date will be scheduled soon, and all proceeds from the CD will be donated to ‘Arts for Life’.

“Music is an integral part of the vital support services the Arts for Life team offers to young patients and families. Arts for Life Music Fellow Colin Allured describes his job as “growing happy cell” where cancer cells used to be. In 2009, Becca Stevens sang at an AFL fundraiser and she and her father, William Stevens, had the idea to set some of the children’s poetry to music for the event. The response to those two songs was so strong that discussions of a CD began, including Becca’s brother Bill who is a composer and recording studio engineer.

Producer William Stevens says, “We were overwhelmed by how many composers and musicians were willing to give so much time and creative energy to this project. But it didn’t stop there. The CD was made possible by the generosity of patrons, by free time provided by recording studios in North Carolina and New York, with the encouragement and support of the AFL staff and board, and most of all by the children in Arts for Life and their families who showed us the power of art to inspire, to change, and to heal.”

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The New York Times Raves….twice in a week.

The New York Times gives enthusiastic reviews of Rebecca Martin’s new album “When I Was Long Ago”, and  in support of her next live performance in New York City on Thursday, December 16th 2010.  Showtimes are 7:30pm and 9:30pm at the JAZZ STANDARD. For tickets, visit this LINK.‎

“The jazz singer Rebecca Martin can sing slow swing with a supreme sense of centering around the pulse, re-designing melodies and making her voice crinkle at emotional points. And when the drumming goes away completely, she grows stronger…the musicians give her molasses swing and empathy and lots of empty space, and she takes care of the rest.”

 Ben Ratliff, The New York Times

“On her gorgeously intimate new album ‘When I Was Long Ago’ the singer Rebecca Martin addresses a program of jazz standards as if sifting through treasured momentos”.

 Nate Chinen, New York Times

About the Songs…

When I first began to think about making a record of standards, it was clear that searching for the original vocal read would be an important aspect of my effort. As a songwriter and a singer I have found that many of the beloved old classics have been changed a great deal whether intentional or not. Verses, lyrics and arrangements have been deleted or changed and in some cases quite dramatically. Going back to the earliest vocal read to hear what might have been the author’s original intention was a real education. I encourage all musicians to do it. 

I thought of these songs as “elders” instead of “standards” to remove the heroic connotation and to allow there to be space for the song to simply be. Read more

“When I Was Long Ago” to be Released In France on September 28th, 2010

“When I Was Long Ago”  will be released on Naive records  in France on September 28th.

NPR: Your Favorite ‘Great Unknowns’ in Jazz

 

Rebecca Martin Record Release Concert on Tuesday, August 31st in New York City

Come celebrate the release of Rebecca Martin’s latest recording ‘When I Was Long Ago’ at the Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2) on Tuesday, August 31st 2010. She will be accompanied by Larry Grenadier (Bass) and Bill McHenry (Tenor Saxophone).

This special event will be ‘donation only’ at the door to accommodate and to thank fans during these hard economic times.

Records will be available that night for sale, or pre-order yours now by visiting this LINK. Read more

“When I Was Long Ago” Ready To Pre-Order

It’s here!

You can pre-order your copy by following this LINK

The official release date is August 31st. Rebecca and the trio will perform at the Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2) that evening (Tuesday, 8/31) at 8:00pm. In these challenging economic times, the group has decided to make their record release a donation only which will allow everyone to attend. CD’s will be available that evening with an opportunity for autographed copies.

Rebecca On Video Arts in Japan

In addition to the states, the new album by Rebecca Martin “When I Was Long Ago” will be released in Japan on Video Arts Music on October 20th, 2010.  A confirmation of plans and scheduled tour dates to follow.

In the US, the album will be available in stores nationwide (and at your favorite online distributor) Tuesday, August 31st on Sunnyside Records.

Audio/Video Teaser Trailer For Rebecca Martin’s “When I Was Long Ago”

Film maker James Dean Conklin made this video/audio teaser of the new recording ‘When I Was Long Ago’ out in stores nationwide on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010.

The West Coast and Record Release

“When I Was Long Ago” by Rebecca Martin. Photo Credit Todd Chalfant, c2010

It will be a busy couple of months as we prepare to launch the release of my new recording “When I Was Long Ago” (Sunnyside Records) on August 31st, 2010. It’s a simple and elegant recording of standards that feature Larry Grenadier (Bass) and Bill McHenry (Saxophone). We made it live to two track with James Farber and Paul Antonell at the helm at the Clubhouse Recording Studio in Rhinebeck, NY.

I approached these songs as a songwriter, searching for the first vocal performances of each to assure that the melodies, lyrics and harmony were intact – and as close as possible to the author’s original intent. It’s an honor to sing a song that spans 75-plus years. Kind of an ancestral project in a sense. Setting out with this intention certainly brought new meaning to these old songs.

A concert to launch the album is being planned for 8/31 at the Rockwood Music Hall’s  2nd stage. It’s their concert ‘hall’. Our performance will begin at 8:00pm.  I have decided to make the door charge a donation only, making it affordable for everyone who wishes to come.   I’m happy to be able to offer this to my fans on this very special occasion.

Prior to the release, I’m traveling to the West Coast where I’ll be performing several concerts before launching the first songwriting program called ‘The Songwriter Track’ at the Stanford Jazz Workshop in Palo Alto, CA.   Follow the links below for tickets or information to register for any of my classes. Read more