Martin Urbach Free Will CD

About Martin...Drummer Martin (pronounced mar-TEEN) Urbach juxtaposes his Bolivian and Jewish roots with his experience as an immigrant in the United States to add color to his sophisticated jazz grooves.Born on August 4th, 1982 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Martin discovered the drums at age 12. Shortly after, he began performing in the country’s top music venues and festivals. Upon finishing high school, Martin moved to New Orleans, LA to attend the music program at The University of New Orleans. During his five-year stint in the “Big Easy”, Martin performed with a “Who’s Who” of the music industry. He holds a bachelors degree in jazz performance from the University of New Orleans and a masters degree in jazz performance from the Manhattan School of Music. In addition to being a passionate performer, Martin is also a kind and spirited educator.Currently, Martin lives in Astoria , NY where he relocated after Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home in New Orleans. Martin divides his time between playing concerts and touring the world as a sideman and bandleader, composing music, and teaching drums and music to young children and adults. Martin recently released his first recording entitled \'\'Free Will\'\', which showcases his talents as a performer, composer and bandleader.Through performing and teaching, Martin spreads the joy that music brings him in his life! About The Martin Urbach Group.....he Martin Urbach Group is my main creative outlet. It is a group made up of some of my closest friends, who happen to be some of the finest musicians one can possibly desire. I created the group in 2002 in New Orleans as a vehicle through which I could give back a little bit of the joy that I experience every day by living a life of music. Most of the songs that we perform are my original compositions, which are a gumbo of heart-warming melodies and booty-shaking grooves! The remaining are an anthology of songs written by my friends and classics from the \'\'Standard American Songbook.\'\' The repertoire is based on songs that I find gorgeous and that move me. I love melodies that make a statement and can transport us to heaven (or hell if we so desire).The group features Brian Seeger on Guitar, Scott Bourgeois on Saxophone, Tim Collins on Vibraphone, Pascal Niggenkemper on Bass and myself on Drums and Cymbals.My first recording as a leader; \'\'Free Will\'\' is a gathering of 9 songs that I have written over the last few years. It is a window into my views as an artist but most importantly as a human being. Every song is my tip of the hat to a specific person, place and event. The opening track; Welcome song is about being grateful for my blessings. This song begins with a circular guitar line and a contrapuntal sparse melody. It builds up to an energetic and tasteful saxophone solo at the end. The second track; Southern Damsels, showcases my love for simple and beautiful melodies. The song is an alluring waltz that denotes my love for New Orleans and its warm people. The tittle track, Free Will, was written as a prayer for a friend while he was at war. It is a war song as much as it is a cry for hope. The chaos of the free form drum solo and the aggressiveness of the distorted guitar is what I imagined to be the sountrack at one of the never-ending war zones in our world. As far as what to expect from a performance by the Martin Urbach Group, the audience will experience a set of music filled with songs that make us think, reflect, dance and rejoice. Above all, the audience will see and hear a group of friends doing what they love to do most.