Martina Almgren
About Martina Almgren
Martina Almgren is a senior lecturer with a focus on improvisation at the Academy of Music and Drama, where she teaches Interplay, Era training, Rhythm and Timing, Instrumental teaching and Supervision of artistic independent work. Until 2023, she was Program Director for the Composition programs (2017-23) and the Improvisation programs (2016-17).
In recent years, Martina has immersed herself in methods to connect intuitive learning to intellectual understanding, which she actively works with in her teaching. She is fascinated by rhythms and rhythmic energy, something she investigates in the development work ”Att fånga trummornas energi och uttryck vid inspelning” 2021.
Martina Almgren is also a freelance drummer and composer. With rhythmic intensity and playful improvisation, she has been a colorful addition to the jazz scene since the 90s. With her groups Martina Almgren Quartet, Oh Yeah Orchestra as well as international collaborations with, among others, the British pianist Zoe Rahman and the Scottish saxophonist Laura MacDonald, Martina has toured and released twelve CD productions with her own music.
She has received several scholarships and awards; was part of Rikskonserter's venture "Jazz from Sweden" in 2007, composed the commissioned piece "Freedom of Movement" for the Swedish Jazz Celebration 2009 for Oh Yeah Orchestra. The group, with five female and five male musicians, was formed when Martina was awarded the Iris scholarship for an equal musical scene in 2003. Furthermore, she was nominated composer of the year by Swedish Jazz in 2015 and was a summer host on jazz radio in 2022.
Current projects are Martina Almgren This Song of Mine, compositions by the Indian-Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore in a chamber music format, Martina Almgren Majestic, where the collective improvisational interaction is in focus, and Duality - electric bass and hand drums in a boiling interaction.
Discography as a composer, drummer and leader:
Martina Almgren "Majestic" (2023), "Duality" (2023), Martina Almgren "Peace of Mind" (2019 Oh Yeah Records) Martina Almgren " This Song of Mine" (2018 Oh Yeah Records) Martina & Owe Almgren Quartet "Lisboa" (2014 Oh Yeah Records) MOZ Trio "Sparkling Water, Please" (2013 Oh Yeah Records) Oh Yeah Orchestra "Freedom of Movement" (2011 Imogena) Martina Almgren & Laura Macdonald "Open Book" (2007 Imogena) Martina Almgren Quartet "Bingo" (2005 Imogena) Martina Almgren Quartet "Unden" (2003 Imogena) Martina Almgren Quartet "Leaving Home" (2001 Zebra Art Records) Martina Almgren Quartet "September" (1999 Imogena).