Kind words

Radikaliai.lt wants to introduce everyone with Raquel Marina and her new album, called 'Kind Words'.  Raquel Marina is a young Canadian vocalist, composer, and bandleader who is recognized for her versatility, originality, and her natural vocal delivery. Raquel completed a bachelor’s degree in jazz at the University of Toronto and has studied under jazz luminaries including Laura Swankey, Andrew Downing, and Terry Promane. Currently under the guidance of Juno Award nominee Noam Lemish, Raquel is working towards a master’s degree in composition at York University. In 2023, she won the JAZZ 4 THE AGES competition led by the Niagara jazz festival and frequently performs at many beloved venues within Toronto including Drom Taberna, the Drake Hotel, and Ethica. Raquel is launching her debut original album, Kind Words which is a musical product of her jazz studies and her strong admiration for the music of Canadian trumpeter Kenny Wheeler. Her original compositions on the album represent her journey to obtain a sense of balance and wholeness while navigating family trauma, grief, anxiety, and heartache. The intermingling of elements from folk, traditional and modern jazz cultivate a creatively organic and serene atmosphere. Her band includes trumpeter Kae Murphy, pianist Reuven Grajner, guitarist Julien Bradley-Combs, and bassist Chris Adriaanse. Additionally, Alyssa Giammaria is a featured co-composer and vocalist. Raquel’s compositional style on the album is sensible, charming, and provides the opportunity for her and her band to explore personal expression and musical intuition. The CD will officially be released on July 18th, and will be celebrated with a performance at the Canada Music Centre in Toronto on Friday, August 8th at 7:30pm. The album will be available on Bandcamp, Spotify, ITunes, Amazon Music, and all other streaming platforms.