We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Martina Sabariego. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Martina below.

Martina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is the one that I am working on now. I am from Valencia (Spain), and back in 2024, we suffered a catastrophic flood that took hundreds of lives and destroyed many cities. That was a very traumatic experience for many of us, and I knew I had to do something about it in the best way I could do it: through my music.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Boston-based composer, arranger, and jazz bassist from Valencia, Spain. My work is rooted in storytelling, often reflecting on themes like identity, time, and belonging, while also seeking global connections across different cultures. That curiosity is what led me into this field, and it continues to shape everything I create.

I started playing the classical guitar when I was 8, and from then on I’ve worked in many different musical fields. I graduated in composition in ESMuC (Barcelona), in jazz composition in the New England Conservatory of Music (Boston, MA), and in Global Jazz Performance at the prestigious Berklee Global Jazz Institute (Boston, MA).

My work spans different formats, from small ensemble writing to big band composition. I’ve released two albums and an EP. My debut album, XAXANO (Sedajazz Records, 2023), explores time and distance through diverse styles and instrumentations. My second album, Forces and Battlements (Sedajazz Records, 2023), recognized by the New England Conservatory of Music, is my first big band project and a tribute to my homeland. In addition, I’ve received several commissions for contemporary music projects for different festivals, further expanding my work across genres and formats.

I’m currently working on my third album, my most personal project so far, inspired by the process of healing after the devastating flood that hit my homeland, in Valencia, back in 2024.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, supporting artists starts with recognizing the value of creative work—not just culturally, but socially and economically. This means fair compensation, more funding opportunities, and access to platforms where artists can share their work without barriers. I also think that it’s also essential to support local artists, as they play a key role in nurturing and sustaining the social and cultural fabric of their communities.
Education also plays a key role: exposing people to the arts from an early age helps build more engaged and supportive audiences. At the same time, institutions and communities should encourage diversity and cross-cultural exchange, allowing different voices and perspectives to be heard.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’ve made several important changes throughout my musical journey. I started with classical guitar, but when I was 18, I wanted to explore more deeply how music is conceived and to dive into its abstract world, so I moved into composition and moved to another city, Barcelona, to learn more about it
When I graduated at 22, I decided to go even further: I learned a new instrument, the double bass, and a new musical language, jazz. This came as a shock to people around me, but I trusted myself and knew it was the right decision (and it was!).
Playing in big bands is what eventually motivated me to start writing for that format, which led to move to another country, the United States, and receiving recognition from one of the most important music schools in the country, the New England Conservatory.
My consistency and curiosity to understand how the double bass works and its role in jazz also led me to receive a full scholarship to attend the Berklee Global Jazz Institute at Berklee College of Music, one of the most prestigious jazz programs.
I’ve always kept an open mindset when collaborating on different projects, which has allowed me to tour with various bands and learn traditional music along the way—something I now incorporate into my compositions.
I believe that challenging yourself and trusting your instincts is key to continuing to grow as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.martinasabariego.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinasbg/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-sabariego/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@martinasbg
• Other: https://martinasabariego.bandcamp.com/album/forces-and-battlements-2

Image Credits

Martina Sabariego by Alba Ramos