Following the release of two albums by El Pescador and EMI España -and more recently (Feb 2023) with SwitRecords- Pepa Niebla reveals her talent as a composer and lyricist with her album ‘Renaissance’: Another dimension in which she reaches her artistic voice with a creative and formative evolution. She discovers herself and unveils her true persona. To achieve this, she is accompanied by a strong Jazz Rhythm section well-established in the local and international scene: Toni Mora, a guitarist from Madrid, Belgian pianist Maxime Moyaerts, Frenchman Alex Gilson on double bass, and Dutch drummer Daniel Jonkers.

The album’s music reflects an influence from contemporary New York jazz in the harmonic, rhythmic, and sound production approach. Within her song stories, Pepa speaks to us about healthy love, family, and society, creating a sincere and personal work. The album’s title, ‘Renaissance,’ pays homage to life and excellence. It invites us to follow our path and embrace our true essence. Both the writing and vocals are influenced by singers such as Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Gretchen Parlato, and Esperanza Spalding, and composers like Benny Golson, Bill Evans, Wayne Shorter, Pat Metheny, or Brian Blade & The Fellowship.

Renaissance was born out of thoughtful introspection and maturity and was supposed to blossom and captivate the public eye during the fateful March of 2020 when COVID-19. A difficult year where this and many other projects were paused -or left out- unable to be defended and enjoyed. Later in 2023, the project was able to come to fruition and brought Pepa Niebla and Giuseppe Millaci –artistic director at Hypnote Records- together and gave them the chance to meet several times. Already enthusiastic about the project from its early stages, Giuseppe saw this as an opportunity to give the project the destiny it deserves. But not everything was against it. The project has grown just as its musicians have had to grow during all this time to face the challenges. A quintet that deserves to express itself, based on its solidity and great connection. 

Happy to celebrate this new Renaissance” on Hypnote Records.