Heart Like a Song
Once in a while, an artist truly reflects on the deeper, more positive aspects of life. Such an artist is singer/songwriter BARBARA MARKAY. In her new Latin inspired worldbeat/pop album "Heart Like Song," Barbara shares a unique, evocative, and rare blend of earthly and spiritual harmony with us. We are at first subtly drawn in by her lyrics. Then we reflect and find our spirits caught up in them. We are touched as she evokes images both human and transcended, a bond that speaks to our deepest feelings and perceptions - a recognition of what is.
This one woman achievement of writing, arranging and producing all the songs, is ably supported by an incredible ensemble of superbly talented musicians, which include: Henry Franklin on bass, Robert Kyle on sax and flute, Nengue Hernandez, percussionist extraordinaire, still glowing from his tour with Mickey Hart and the incredibly moving Planet Drum. The rest of the troupe is equally mind-boggling in their diversity of enthusiasm, world-class experience and talent. Drummer Aaron Serfaty has played with Sergio Mendez and Arturo Sandoval, bassist Carlitos del Puerto Jr. has played with Irakere and Cubanisimo, pianist Red Young who’s played with Joan Armatrading , Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Linda Rondstat among others, and singer Joseph Lecuona , son of the revered Cuban songwriter Margarita Lecuona and great nephew of the legendary Latin composer Ernesto Lecuona, is a great singer/songwriter in his own rite.
BARBARA has studied piano since she was a child. At the precocious age of ten she won a scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School of Music where she graduated from the college division as a composer and pianist. She has worked with some of the top names in the industry, ranging from Quincy Jones, Martin Scorcese, & Michael Jackson (in the production of the “Bad” video) to Eric Clapton, Carly Simon and George Duke, and doing musical arrangements for the Saturday Night Live Band. She has performed with Bruce Willis, singing back up with his blues band, The Accelerators. In 1996 she was honored by being chosen as the music director for the annual Christmas play in Puttaparthi, India for Sathya Sai Baba. Barbara is influenced by the likes of Angelique Kidjo, Peter Gabriel, Robert Johnson, Celia Cruz, Caetano Veloso, Irakere, and Reverend Milt Brunson and the Mississippi Mass Choir.
Dedication of the album, "HEART LIKE A SONG," comes from an ethereal place of light as witnessed by the deep reflections her lyrics evoke. This inspiring album is filled with the essence of harmony, beauty and peace.
Barbara is a lyricist extraordinaire. You are drawn into the introspective messages she sings: light reflections that float on the surface and then permeate down and through and through again. Rare reflections.
REVIEWS:
"Year 2000! If you like musical surprises, this is one! Some producers and musical directors travel to Cuba or New York to produce a CD rich in Latin rhythms and jazz harmonies, but unfortunately at times leaves much to desire. This is not the case with Barbara Markay of Los Angeles, California. She did not leave California to accomplish a unique and original sound. "Heart Like A Song", is the CD every serious music lover should have and you will notice the musical surprise will speak for itself. In these ten tracks you will find everything a CD needs to be nominated by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences."
Latin Heat Magazine May, 2000
(Rudy Regalado, Leader of "Orchestra Chevere" April 18, 2000)
"I was very impressed. The entire album was reminiscent of Sade. I would recommend that AC & Jazz stations take a good listen. They would be missing out on adding many of the tracks to their programming."
Joe Giannini, Director of the New York Association of DJs , Albany, NY
April 22, 2000
"...warm Latin jazz influences and tight song structures. Markay has got the pulse of traditional Latin rhythms working for her"
Music Connection Magazine, Tom Kidd (March 27, 2000)
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