Bio

Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music, after receiving the Best Achievement Scholarship, Marta Gómez has developed an extensive music career in the US which has placed her as one of the most interesting singer songwriters on the world music scene today.

Marta and her group perform a repertoire of original compositions based on a vast amount of rhythms from Latin America. On her songs, Marta mixes the joy of the Caribbean with the nostalgia of the Andes adding jazz and pop elements, taking the authenticity of South American indigenous folk music into a hip new realm.

With more than 70 composed songs, This young singer-songwriter not only traverses a whole range of Colombian cumbias and bambucos, Argentine zambas, Cuban sones and Peruvian landos but she also writes the kind of melodies and refrains that translate across whatever language she is singing in. That may be the reason that lead Marta to share the stage with musicians of different genres such as Bonnie Raitt , John Mayer, Totó la Momposina and Mercedes Sosa.

Marta was also chosen to record Kris Kristofferson’s “The Circle” on a tribute to this great American icon. Marta “lifted that song up to when it’s supposed to be, to where it belongs” According to Kristofferson’s own words. American writer John Sandford made a reference to that version of "the circle" on his novel "Dark of the moon" (2007)

In March 2003, Marta’s song "Paula Ausente" based on the book "Paula" by Isabel Allende, won the The SIBL Project International songwriting contest as the best song inspired by a South American book. The song was included on a CD among others by artists such as Tom Waits and David Bowie."Paula Ausente" was also included on the Putumayo Compilation "Women of the world: Acustic"(2007). Her song “La Ronda” was included before in other Putumayo compilation entitled “Women of Latin America” (2004) and in 2005 Marta was chosen by “Fucsia”, a Colombian magazine as one of the 5 Most representative Colombian women of the year.

With five albums under her belt, her self-released "Solo es vivir" was chosen by The Boston Globe as one of the 10 best albums of 2003 and her "Cantos de Agua Dulce" (2004) released by Chesky Records, was nominated for the Billboard Latin Music Awards as the best Latin Jazz Album of the year among Paco de Lucia’s, Nestor Torres’ and Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s. Her album “Entre Cada Palabra” (2005 chesky records) placed Marta Gómez as “The Best National World-Music Artist of 2006” by the Boston Phoenix/

Marta and her group are currently promoting their new album "Musiquita" (2009) released by Aluna Records. The group perform in several cities around Europe on the firs period of 2009 with great acceptance by audiences of all origins

In an interview on the National Public Radio, journalist Steve Inskeep said he admires Marta’s capacity of “turning the bitter history of her native country into sweet music”. (Picture by LaGusto photography 2005)

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The Group

Marta Gomez and her group perform a repertoire composed entirely by original songs based on a fascinating variety of rhythms from all over Latin America including Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Argentina mixed with jazz and pop elements. Originally from Colombia, the singer started to compose songs exploring her roots, but when she met the Argentinean musicians to form her group, they decided to share their musical backgrounds to create a distinctive blend of music that reflects the sound and culture of South America.

Franco Pinna

Franco (Drums and percussion) has performed and recorded with some of the best folklore musicians in Argentina, such as Lucho Hoyos, Cesar Isella, Raúl Carnota and Leopoldo Deza. In the U.S. he has played with Bonnie Raitt, John Mayer, Jeff Ballard, Bruce Barth, Oscar Stagnaro, Chris Cheek, Guillermo Klein and Claudio Ragazzi among many others. He graduated from Berklee College of Music, and he has studied and developed a unique style based on folklore percussion techniques. For more information, visit FrancoPinna.com and My Space

Fernando Huergo

Argentinean bassist Fernando has performed with Mike Stern, Danilo Perez, Dave Weckl, David Sanchez, Dave Liebman, Claudio Roditi, Tom Harrell, Jeff Ballard, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bruce Barth and Dave Kikoski. He teaches bass at Berklee College of Music. He has recorded more than 70 albums and toured with many latin-jazz artists from around the world. For more information visit FernandoHuergo.com and My Space

Yulia Musayelyan

This young multitalented flutist and composer was born in Russia where she studied at the Gnessin School of music before relocating in the States to enter the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Yulia has extensive experience in the classical, contemporary, jazz and world music genres. She has won many awards and distinctions such as the "National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts Award" and the "National Merit Foundation" scholarship award. Yulia has toured the US, England, Scotland, France, Latvia, Venezuela and Cuba with various musical projects. She has performed at the 2001 Montreux Jazz off-Festival in Switzerland. Yulia has recorded with artists of diverse genres around the world such as Marta Topferova, Hector Martignon, The Massachusetts Flute Choir, and the Manhattan School of Music Opera Orchestra among others. For more information, visit yuliamusayelyan.com and My Space

Juancho Herrera

Juancho Herrera started his musical journey with the influence of the Venezuelan music tradition. Juancho has worked as a guitarist and vocalist for several bands while living in Venezuela. Juancho Herrera traveled to the U.S. in 1993 to continue his studies at Berklee College of Music, were he received a scholarship as a guitarist. He has recorded several CDs as band leader and sideman, and has performed in very prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Shibuya Koukaido in Tokyo, Centro Cultural La Estancia in Caracas, Carnegie Hall in New York, among others. He has also performed extensively in Venezuela, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, U.K.and the U.S.

He has collaborated and performed with several artists including: Claudia Acuña (Jazz), Haydee Milanes (Cuban/Pop), Tsidii Le Loka (South African vocalist Tony Award winner), Nestor Torres (Grammy Award winner), Lila Downs (Grammy award winner), Eric Wainaina (Kora Award winner), Jerry Rivera (Salsa-Pop), Aquiles Báez (Calle 54, Paquito D Rivera, Giora Feidman), Rebecca Fanya (Marc Anthony, Harry Belafonte), Pablo Ablanedo Group (Argentinean Jazz), Jenny Sheinman Quartet (avant-garde jazz, Bill Frisell, John Zorn), Francisco Pacheco (Un Solo Pueblo), Yordamis Megret (Bamboleo), Brazooca Band (featuring Alon Yavnai, Didi Gutman, Paulo Levy), Crossroads Ensemble (collaboration with Mattan Klein), among others. Currently Juancho is working on the promotion of his latest CD which was produced in collaboration with Producer/Engineer Fernando Aponte, can be heard at My Space

Roberto Cachimuel

Born in Otavalo Ecuador, Roberto started playing Andean music at the age of 8. Roberto is founder and active member of the Group Yarina, a music and dance ensemble based in the US. He left Ecuador at the age of 14 to perform in Colombia and Italy before settling in Boston in 1991. Roberto has performed and recorded with many distinguished musicians such as Alex Alvear, Raul Midon, Jean-Baptiste Bocle, Marta Gomez, Leo Blanco, Michel Gonzalez and more. He is self-taught in native South American instruments such as: zampoñas, quenas, pallas, rondador, charango and more.

You can hear Roberto's music atMy Space

Awards and Appearances

Awards

Jun.2006 Boston Phoenix “Best National World-Music artist”
Feb.2005 Billboard Awards: Nominated as best latin jazz artist
Jan.2005, Billboard Jazz charts top ten album "Cantos de agua dulce"
Jan.2005 "Fiesta Jazz" in Melbourne, Australia: Best Non-Instrumental Latin Jazz album of the year: "Cantos de agua dulce"
Jan.2005 World Music Europe chart top ten album "Cantos de agua dulce" and "Entre Cada Palabra"
Dec.2004 Putumayo World Music: Marta's song "Canta" from her CD "Cantos de Agua Dulce" was chosen as one of the 10 best songs of 2004, and will be featured on their "Best of 2004" CD
2004 "Just Plain Folks" music awards: Best latin song (Second Place): "Tú"
2003 The Boston Globe: "Solo es Vivir" is included among the 10 best CDs of the year
2003 Blink Music Contest (Cambridge): Best pop song: "Tú"
2002 SIBL Project Contest (San Francisco): Best Song Inspired by a Latin American book: "Paula Ausente", inspired by Isabel Allende's "Paula"
2000 Alex Ulanowski composition award (Boston): "Confesión"
2000 Best Achievement Scholarship (Berklee College of Music,Boston)
1996 Ramón Antigua contest (Bogota, Colombia): First Place
1995 Ramón Antigua contest (Bogota, Colombia): Second Place
1993 Luna De Plata festival (Bogota, Colombia): First Place, Best original song: "Solo"
1992 Calatrava (Cali, Colombia): First Place
1991 Canario de Plata festival (Cali, Colombia)

Appearances

European Tour (2009):
Fundacion Canal Isabel II Madrid, Spain (March 09)
Teatro de Arrecife in Lanzarote – Canary Islands, Spain (March 09)
Teatro Leal de la Laguna. Tenerife, Spain (March 09)
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain (March 09)
Palacio Revillagigedos in Gijón, Asturias, Spain (March 09)
Moods jazz club in Zurich, Switzerland. (February 09)
Nefertiti jazz club in Gothenburg, Sweden (February 09)
Dunkers Kulturhus auditorium in Helsingborg, Sweden (February 09)
The Barnasants Festival of the song at the Sala Luz de Gas in Barcelona, Spain (February 09)
Bee Flat jazz club in Bern, Switzerland (January 09)
Tropentheater in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (January 09)
Wereld Cultuur Centrum Zuiderpershuis auditorium in Amberes, Belgium (January 09)
Handelsbeurs auditorium in Gante, Belgium (January 09 )
Blue Note(NYC,2008, 2006,2005,2004)
Birdland(NYC,2007)
Detroit Festival of the Arts (2008)
"Lotus World Music & Arts Festival" in Bloomington, Indiana (October 08)
Earth Day concert at the Corona Theater for the CBC Radio, Montreal, Canada (April 09)
"Sofia Quintero Art and Cultural Center" , Toledo, Ohio (Nov. 08)
"Mercat de musica de VIC" festival in VIC, Spain (Sep. 09)
Museo del Barrio "women on the verge Summer series" (NYC, 2008)
"Cali-Cuento, Cali-Canto 2008 Festival" Barcelona, Spain (Sep.2009)
Joe's Pub in New York City (2009, 08, 07,06,05,04)
Smithsonians Institute , Washington DC (2007)
“Zappa” jazz clulb, with Idan Raichel in Telaveiv, Israel (Feb 08)
Philadelphia Book Festival (2008)
Teatro de la ciudad (Mexico City, 2007)
Museum of Jewish Heritage (NYC) with Idan Raichel (Oct. 07)
The Taos center for the Arts (New Mexico oct 2006)
Ilfeld Auditorium (las vegas, NM 2006)
The Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club (Miami, FL 2007, 2006)
The United Nations's World Refugee Day at the National Geographic Museum (Washington DC, June 2006)
Musiques du monde Festival (Montral, canada. April 2006)
Musik Fest (bethlehem, PA. August 2007)
The Great Waters Music Fest (Wolfeboro, New Hampshire , September 2007)
The Reed Whipple Cultural Center (Las vegas, NV Sep 2006)
City Folk Festival(Ohio, July 2005)
NJPAC Summer Festival (New Jersey, 2004, 2005)
Cosquin festival (Cordoba, Jan 2006)
Martinus Hall (Finland, Mar 2006)
The Getty Museum (LA, April 2005)
The Japanesse-American Museum (LA, Sep 2005)
The National Hispanic Cultual Center (Albuquerque ,New Mexico 2007,2006,2005)
Globalquerque at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Sep 07)
Great Waters Music Festival , Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (Sep. 07)
Peña del Colorado (Buenos Aires, Dec 2007, 2005)
Jazz Voyeur, buenos Aires, Argentina (Dec 07)
Teatro San Martin, Tucuman, Argentina (Dec 07)
Lincoln Center's Summer Festival (NYC, Aug 2005)
The Jewish Museum (NYC, 2007, 2006,2005)
The Arts and Ideas Festival (CT, 2005, 2004)
Notorius (B.Aires, Argentina, 2005, 2004)
Centro Cultural Virla (tucuman, Argentina 2006, 2005,2001)
Teatro Santa Maria (B.Aires, Argentina 2004)
Teatro la paz (Tucuman, Argentina 2005, 2004)
The SXSW Music convention (Austin, Texas 2005)
Gimnasio Moderno Auditorium (Bogota, Dec 2004)
Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center (Cambridge, 2007,2006,2005,2004)
California Public Library 20th years aniversary (San jose,California nov 2004)
Telemundo News (New Jersey, Oct 2004)
El Taller LatinoAmericano (new York, 2007,2006,2005,2004,2003)
SOBs (New York, 2006, 2004
Symphony Space with the putumayo music concert "women from latin America" (new York, Oct 2004)
Biblioteca Alberdi (Tucuman, Argentina, Aug 2004)
Ghandi (Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 2004)
La Vaca Profana (Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 2004)
Satalla (New York, 2005,2004)
North Eastern University (Boston, March 2004)
The Boston Phoenix Jazz Festival (Boston, July 2003)
The Regatta Bar (Cambridge, 2007,2006,2003)
The Orpheum Theater (Boston, opening for Bonnie Raitt and John Mayer, April 2003)
Grandma's Deli (Vancouver, Canada, 2006,2005,2003)
The Jorge Hernández Cultural Center (Boston, 2006,2005,2004)
The House of Blues (Boston, March 2003)
Ryles Jazz Club (Cambridge 2007,2006,2005,2004,2003,2002)
Berklee Latin Culture Week (November 2005, 2003,2002)
Berklee Voice Week (February 2005,2002)
Scullers Jazz Club (2006,2005,2004,2003,2002)
New York Argentinean Jazz Festival (2001)
Newyorican Poets Cafe (New York, 2003)
Berklee Performance Center (Boston, 2006,05,04,03,02)
NPR's Morning Edition with Steve Inskeep (2004)
WGBH with Erick Jakson (Boston, 2007,2006,05,04)
WGBH with Marco Werman (Boston 2004)
WBAI with Mario Murillo (New York 2004)
RCN With Jose Gabriel (Bogota, Colombia, 2004)
Arriba Bogotá (Señal Colombia TV Network) (Bogota, Colombia, 2004)
RCN Network: "Yo, José Gabriel" Late-Night TV Show (Bogota, Colombia, 2004)
CARACOL Noticias (TV news) (Bogota, Colombia, 2004)
Route 66 (radio show) (Canada, 2004)
WCRA Radio (Boston)