Mónica Matabuena - Matabuenapura (2023)

“It consists of a set of 8 songs: five original songs and arrangements for another three. All the songs I have composed and arranged inspired by the NY jazz of the last 20 years. The intention is not to literally copy elements from foreign cultures, but to apply to my own works the parameters of composition and musical assimilation of jazz of this time.

The objective of this work is to balance the weight in the word-music relationship. For each song, each letter hides a concept that can be summed up with a few keywords. These are the starting point for developing the arrangement. Thus, the text of the songs also speaks through the instruments that sound and the words have lightened their weight”

My instrument is the voice. The chosen formation is a quartet and I confess that I have written the arrangements with them in mind. I want whoever plays or sings this to feel good. Over time I have refined the arrangements, removing unnecessary elements and leaving space for my colleagues to express their identity. I think that in this way the work is as honest as possible, this is how far I have come.”