Juliana Martina – Laman (Juliana Martina/AudioMaze, 2023)
Juliana Martina’s latest album, Laman is a real gem! I stumbled upon this incredibly talented vocalist recently, and her music is like a breath of fresh air in the world music scene.
Born on the sunny Caribbean island of Curaçao within a Colombian family, Juliana Martina brings a unique mix of Colombian and Caribbean vibes to her soulful, jazzy vocal style. Imagine silky-smooth vocals infused with the warmth and colors of her diverse cultural influences.
Juliana’s musical career started on her native island, but at the age of ten, she packed her bags and headed to Europe. This cultural mashup has shaped her sound into something truly special. She honed her skills at the conservatory of Rotterdam, specializing in the traditional music of Latin America.
What sets Juliana apart is her deep connection to Latin-American and Caribbean folklore, reflected in her lyrics written in Spanish and Papiamentu – the language of Curaçao, Bonaire, and Aruba. Her music gracefully weaves together Colombian traditions with a modern jazz flair.
Last April, Juliana had a standout performance at Muziekgebouw aan ‘t Ij in Amsterdam, where she collaborated with the internationally acclaimed reed quintet Calefax. She’s been making waves, earning a spot as a finalist at the Días Latinos Awards and playing to a packed audience at the Amersfoort Jazz Festival 2022.
Not stopping there, Juliana was chosen as one of the ‘Young Creators’ for the On The Roof talent trajectory in 2022, delivering a sold-out performance during the On The Roof concert series in August.
Musicians: Juliana Martina on vocals; Jean-Jacques Rojer on guitar; Kamil Zawiślak on grand piano; Adam Żuchowski on double bass; and Luis Mora Matus on drums.
Buy Laman.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
