Release: Martina Barta & David Friedman“You Taught My Heart To Sing”(Malletmuse Records)
With great joy, Czech jazz singer Martina Barta and renowned American vibraphonist and composer David Friedman present their collaborative album *“You Taught My Heart To Sing.”* In this exceptional musical partnership, two extraordinary artists combine their talents to create a unique sound spectrum that touches the soul and makes the heart sing.
Martina Barta, who developed her musical versatility from a young age through violin, piano, and French horn, later studied jazz singing at the University of the Arts Berlin and completed her master’s degree in 2023 at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York. Her career is as multifaceted as it is impressive: alongside her solo career, she regularly collaborates with renowned ensembles such as the Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Orquestrina Baborak, or in a duo with her sister, acclaimed Czech jazz pianist and composer Kristina Barta. Martina has conquered stages worldwide, from Carnegie Hall to the Berlin Philharmonic, and even represented the Czech Republic at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017.
David Friedman, one of the world’s leading vibraphonists, has worked with musical legends such as Leonard Bernstein, Bobby McFerrin, Chet Baker, and Wayne Shorter. As the founder of the jazz department at the University of the Arts Berlin and through his innovative teaching methods for vibraphone playing, he has shaped generations of musicians. Friedman’s exceptional compositions and his ability to merge with diverse musical styles make him a pioneer of his instrument.
Since 2019, Martina Barta and David Friedman have been working together as a duo. Their interplay, particularly through the combination of vibraphone and voice, creates a rare and captivating sound that deeply resonates. The ballads on this album reflect the emotional depth and diversity of their musical influences. In *“You Taught My Heart To Sing,”* they present a sensitive selection ranging from American classics of the Great American Songbook to unusual compositions.
Their interpretations are characterized by a fresh, unique sound aesthetic, setting new accents both within and beyond the jazz world. Every piece on this album is marked by the close artistic collaboration between the two artists and their deep love for music.
The album invites listeners to immerse themselves in a world full of beauty and emotion—carried by Barta’s velvety voice and Friedman’s masterful vibraphone playing. This collaboration is more than just a musical experiment: it is a journey through the heart and soul of two extraordinary artists, who touch and inspire the audience with every note.