Help Maria Grapsa release her DEBUT ALBUM!

I'm finally recording my debut album! I have been writing my own music ever since I remember myself. Over the last few years, I have been performing it alongside my band around the UK. We are now entering the recording studio to capture all these tunes and make this band's debut album!

"I first heard Maria Grapsa as a pianist in a large group working with American saxophonist and composer Tim Berne. I was immediately impressed by her ability as a pianist and her skill as an improviser. Maria has written some excellent compositions which deserve to be recorded."

[Tony Dudley-Evans - Programme Adviser to BMusic Birmingham &the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Promoter of the TDE Promotions programme]

Finding the funds for creating an album is currently very challenging for most artists, so I'm setting up this crowdfunding to gather £3,000 - this amount will cover some of the musicians and engineers fees and the studio hire. It will also cover costs of mixing, mastering the tracks, manufacturing CDs/Vinyls and distribution.

All who donate £10 or more will receive an advanced copy of the album. Make sure to write "CD" or "digital" in your notes so I know which format you prefer.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

All best wishes :)

Maria

https://mariagrapsa.com

About the why:

Maria's band, made up of exciting young improvisers, has already been making an impact in prestigious venues such as Birmingham Symphony Hall, Jazz at the Crypt, London Jazz Festival and the Pizza Express Live Soho. The music about to be recorded has been well received in all the performances. The band is now one step away from releasing this much-anticipated debut album.

About the music:

Piano song, improvisation and modern jazz writing are the means that Maria Grapsa portrays her journey through the interior. As a classically trained, explorative jazz musician, she empowers her sextet to flow free form through original compositions; steam hard in tenor jazz and intricate, emotionally-charged cinematic ballads. Maria’s Greek roots and folk, middle-East, Latin influences, all meet the jazz tradition in a unique way. 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. Watch out for the album landing summer 2023.

The band:

Becca Wilkins (vocals), Matthew Kilner (tenor saxophone), Liam Brennan (alto saxophone), Kai Chareunsy (drums), Tommy Fuller (double bass), myself (piano, compositions & arrangements)

Engineers/producers/mastering:

Niccolo Conti, Ben Markland, Tom Waterman