Martina Barta

Martina Barta is a highly talented Czech-German jazz singer and musician who has gained both national and international recognition. From an early age, she mastered the violin, flute, and piano. Between 1999 and 2007, she attended the prestigious Jan Neruda Grammar School in Prague, where she perfected her skills on the french horn under the guidance of Prof. Vladimíra Klánská. She continued her education at the Prague Conservatory (2008–2010), receiving vocal training from Prof. Naďa Wepperová and Prof. Hana Pecková.

In 2011, Martina moved to Berlin to study jazz vocals at the Jazz Institute Berlin of the Berlin University of the Arts. There, she worked with renowned American jazz musicians such as Judy Niemack, David Friedman, Greg Cohen, and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Martina completed her studies in July 2016 with a distinguished graduation concert titled “Martina Barta & Her Jazz Orchestra.” Her artistic journey continued in 2023 when she completed a master’s degree in Jazz Arts at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York. Supported by a DAAD scholarship and funding from the Czech Ministry of Culture, she worked under the mentorship of Prof. Theo Bleckmann and Prof. Buster Williams.

Alongside her academic achievements, Martina has built a versatile stage career. In 2010, she won the TV casting show “Robin Hood – Cesta ke slávě” (TV Prima) and took on the lead female role of “Lady Marianne” in the musical Robin Hood, performed at the Kalich Theatre in Prague. Since 2011, she has also been a soloist with the renowned Czech big band led by Felix Slováček. Together with her sister, jazz pianist and composer Kristina Barta, she won the Best Jazz Song Award at the 2016 Bohemia JazzFest for their song “Find Peace of Mind.” In 2017, Martina represented the Czech Republic at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “My Turn,” connecting with millions of viewers worldwide.

In Germany, Martina performs regularly, whether at prestigious festivals, solo concerts with her jazz trio, or as a soloist (including appearances with the Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Orquestrina Baborak, and the Berlin Symphony Orchestra). In 2019, she formed a duo with American vibraphonist David Friedman. Their joint album, You Taught My Heart To Sing, was released in October 2024 on Malletmuse Records and showcases their intimate and musicallyoutstanding collaboration.

Throughout her solo career, Martina has graced some of the world’s most renowned stages, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Berlin Philharmonie, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Martina Barta currently lives and works between Berlin, Prague, and New York, drawing inspiration from the cultural diversity of these vibrant cities.