Martine

This month of May starts very fast indeed! After returning from Switzerland to surprise my mom for her 70th birthday, I am back and rolling with a gig at the Paratii Craft Bar, where Sam, the proud owner is reigning like a king, infusing rhum with banana, clove and cinnamon  - and this is not for sale, I already asked-  and regaling us with soulful american/brazilian cuisine. He is some character, bigger than life and generous, who invited me to play in his bar that he considers his home, so that I can make it mine every other Thursday for a couple of weeks. Rejoyce my friends!

In this adventure, I will bring to your attention the one and only Ashley Pianofingers Webster that I discovered at the famous Monday Night Paratii Jam. She is good, very good and learns fast! Wolf Kienzle will be there too. We could could name him Guitarfingers too, since he is so talented! And if you want to know... yes he is the very tall german guy, and incidentally husband to my very good friend Jennifer!

I will be back at the Paratii May 31, with a crew of film makers from BCC Bellevue Community College (not bbc....) but sill, great project of documentary about yours truly!!! Isn't THAT awesome?

Inbetween, I will be playing at the Seamonster Lounge Thursday May 17 with the great Ashley Webster (piano), Wolf Kienzle (guitar), Arturo Rodriguez (drums) whom I discovered at the Paratii Jam as well and last, but not least, do we need to introduce him, Farko Dosumov (bass).

Ouf. I think I covered it all. For now.

Hey all!

I'm very excited to announce a few gigs for the next weeks -

First, parents, it's time to hire the babysitter and if you are kidless, bring your date to join me and Tim Kennedy for a luscious night at Vito's, on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, from 8 to 11 pm.

It is a first time gig at the famous Italian restaurant  and also first time with Tim, the crazy virtuoso, alias Richie Aldente for the ladies and band member of Gravity.

Then, Saturday, Feb. 18, from 7 to 8:30 pm,  Egan's with a full band! I'm quite proud to play with the talented Kiko Freitas (guitar), Hans Brehmer (piano), Chris Symer (bass) and Adam Kessler (drums). This is also the first time that we're playing all together and we're gonna perform some new songs of mine which I'm very excited about - they are sexy, sassy and triumphant!!

Last but not least, Monday, Feb. 27 from 7 to 10 pm, a showcase at Boxley's with Carolyn Graye on the piano and my good friend Jennifer Kienzle, which just relesased her debut album Two Thirty, awesomely goooood! We will improvize a couple of duets together, which is always a treat for us as well as for you, i would hope!

I hope to see you in numbers!

Recently I mentionned an article that had been written about my participation to the Bellevue Jazz Festival and was reminded that it was not posted on my blog... so... here it is by Jeanne Gustafson at BellevuePatch.com

Bellevue Jazz Festival Highlights Local and International Acts

Back in my homeland for a few weeks, just in time to enjoy a slightly less shitty summer than in Seattle...

I avoided the mud and the rain at the Paléo Festival and will likely have a great time in Chamonix for the Cosmo Festival.  I'm hoping to meet some great old friends and who knows, jam a little. Also, I'm organizing myself a little Swiss Girl Fall Tour in Switzerland, looking for musicians for hire and places to play.  Anybody interested, by all means, contact me.

I love it here, especially this period of the year with all these festivals and I am very excited to go to the Cosmo, where you can hike in the beautiful Alps and listen to some live music at the top of the world. What a treat!! I also always love togo to Paléo... 36 years old...incredible! There is such a sense of community, simplicity and joie de vivre, along with the smells of a whole lot of cookings of the world and marijuana!! It makes me feel old and young at the same time,very dichotomic experience indeed!

Need to run, Tchô!

We just came back from SF and we had a blast! Even though we mixed up the times of departure and we missed the parking where I had to leave Raspoutine (for those who don't know, Raspoutine is a girl and she is my New Beetle, not so new,btw, and yes I know I'm a little quirky like that..) Anyway, we had to park at the airport and we discovered with genuine amazement that our flight was half hour early than we thought.  All was well in the swiss sisters world then, since this whole mix up made us right on time to catch our plane!

Then I met my mysterious guitar player and I'm telling you my friends, this one, I'm gonna take care of.... - phe-no-me-nal he is  and his name is Bob Brumbeloe.

We had a lot of fun, the exhibit opening was a success and now it' s time to focus on the CD release concert.

Come in numbers!!!!

Saturday June 11 - 6 PM  HIgh Dive!!

Hey everyone!

This next month of June is a busy one for me and I hope for you also, if you intend to follow me through my musical peregrinations!

First off, I am so thrilled to have been invited to be part of the Bellevue Jazz Festival at Grand Cru Wine Bar with guitarist Kiko Freitas JUNE 1st @ 8pm!

I played there with Yakup a couple of months ago - I had a blast! Every one there is so nice, welcoming and happy to have us around. The food is delicious. It's gonna be super fun with Kiko at the guitar. It's free, it's music all around Bellevue, let's party!!

Then, another adventure in San Francisco, this time. I will play at the opening of Nicole (my sister)'s exhibit at the ArtPeople Gallery. Yes, my sister is a very talented, gorgeous painter. I feel very honored to play for her.  We wanted to do a little road trip afterwards, stop by LA and see Hollywood, but.... I can't... I have another gig....and this one is THE ONE where I need every one of you to show up - drum roll.!!!

CD RELEASE CONCERT at the HIGHDIVE, yes! SATURDAY JUNE 11 @ 6pm.  So no excuse, you can do anything before and after, but come spend a little hour with me, Hans Brehmer (piano), Byron Vannoy (drums), Kiko Freitas (guitar), Eric Hullander (bass).

World première of Swiss Girl with a full band - you cannot miss that!!!!

Let's keep in touch!

Martine

Yesterday, I went jamming with some singer buddies of mine to the Amore Infused... ououuhhouu! What a night! The MEN were in charge and they made us, ladies, tuut and whistle. It was so hot in there, I almost fainted! Cool band with John Terps, Tim Kennedy, Ian Sheridan and Jamael Nance.  I really recommend this place. I know it's Monday night, but the food is great and the music even more!

So see you there next week!

We had such a blast yesterday at Egan's!  Thanks to everyone who showed up.  The house was full, energetic, attentive. It was truly wonderful to perform for you, especially  when my fellow boot camp ladies were cheering at my songs; THAT my friends, was very special and warmed my heart.

It was hard to get there, though, with all the wind and the bad traffic, it took us almost 2 hours to get there from Bellevue with Kiko, and Kris who filmed the performance, missed a good part of the 1st set, but what the heck, this is what it is!  Kris is excited to put everything he shooted together to make a cool video. I am a lucky gal to be surrounded by such talented people!

And you know what? I back on the stage again tomorrow with my friend Yakup Trana, guitarist and producer of Swiss Girl.

We'll be perfoming as a duo as well at the Grand Cru of Bellevue at 8 pm.

So join us for a good glass of wine, delicious appetizers and of course great music!

Martine

Hey Everyone!

I am so happy and excited to report that I've been working with guitarist Kiko Freitas .  We will be performing as a duo at Egan's next week Thursday March 10 @ 7 pm.

I love Kiko's playing, it's upfilting and sensitive.  This guy has the greatest smile and energy; it is a lot of fun! 
It reminds me of my time while  playing with Listen 2, 18 years ago!!! people loooved  this Tuck and Patti like sound and presence.

Back to 2011:  we'll play all Swiss Girl songs and many more, I called it an avant-première cd release concert.
Hopefully, my friend Kris is gonna film it, so we need a big and enthousiastic crowd in order to make a nice little showcase on youtube!!

As for the real cd release party, it is coming soon! promised! with full band and all! just need to find a venue...am working on it.

See you all there!!

Hey Everyone,

I am looking forward to singing next Wednesday at Egan's with my good friends Jennifer Kienzle and Valerie Farber.

I've been enjoying every moment of preparing this gig with these two exceptional gals. Of course, while rehearsing, we treat ourselves very well, you know me... good food, good wine... and it helps certainly in having a great time. But really, what makes it so much fun is that each of us brings a unique creative energy, and together we become an explosive blend of talent, gorgeousness and intelligence. Ha! You don't want to miss it! So come along, 9pm. $10 cover.

See you there,
Martine