Whispers of Izola with Marina and Emilia Mårtensson

What happens when Swedish roots meet an Istrian family heritage? You get two remarkable artists, two very different musical paths and a shared connection to Izola.

One is an award-winning jazz vocalist. The other has toured the world with Slovenian group Laibach. From the same musical beginnings, Emilia and Marina have built two distinctive international careers. Izola is where their paths continue to meet – through family history, music and a shared sense of belonging.

Marina calls Emilia a generous mentor. Emilia calls Marina her rock-star sister. In the new episode of Whispers of Izola, they talk about music, family and the paths that brought them back to Izola – and try to settle who is the bigger dreamer, who is more stubborn and who knows more Izola gossip.

Jazz, storytelling and a space for other voices

Emilia Mårtensson is an award-winning vocalist, composer and mentor whose music brings together jazz, Scandinavian folk, art-pop and improvisation. She has performed on international stages and was part of the MOBO Award-winning Kairos 4tet. In 2016, she received the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Vocalist of the Year.

Family stories have an important place in her work. Her albums Ana and Loredana were inspired by two women who shaped her life: her Slovenian grandmother and her mother.

Emilia’s connection to Izola also gave rise to Beyond Vocals, the international jazz retreat she has been bringing to the town for twelve years. Singers and musicians from around the world spend a week developing their artistic identity, learning to trust their own voice and performing for local audiences.

The idea grew out of Emilia’s own experience of returning to Izola at the age of 23. Here, she found the space to write, sing, swim and reconnect with herself.