Girl Facing South

Girl Facing South migdalia van der hoven

drummer and Berklee alumni Migdalia van der Hoven presents her latest project “Girl Facing South” comprising of a new slate of jazz fusion tracks co-written with fellow Berklee alumni Wikus van der Hoven.

The proposed EP launch features 3 of these tracks, the single “Girl Facing South” being a hard driving fusion/rock track, “Red Skies” an up-tempo groove and the free flowing ballad “Savannah rain”. The band she has brought for this EP includes Wikus van der Hoven (saxophone), Josh Stidwill (piano), Johnny Mayers (bass) and Migdalia van der Hoven (drums).

The EP release took place at Ronnie Scott's on the 21st of August 2021.

FULL BIO HERE

JAZZ IN EUROPE ARTICLE

bio

A Berklee College of Music educated drummer with 25 years of experience who has performed across multiple genres with a particular focus on jazz, funk, fusion and latin music. Groove, sensitivity and versatility are qualities that describe her as a drummer.

inspiration

migdalia brings original music to this ep which includes compositions like “Girl facing South”, a technical monolith which hides its difficulty from the listener behind intense groove; “Red Skies” which creates a harmonically rich tapestry over which long melodic lines are weaved; and “Savannah Rain” which evokes the sound of Africa framed in a jazz fusion context with flowing melodies depicting the rain on the wide African plains.

REVIEWS:

"she expresses herself honestly and authentically on the drums, with a rich sound, a steady groove and a light touch. Her music is complex, yet rooted and I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy this recording" - Mark Walker (Grammy® winning drummer, educator and composer)

"Migdalia van der Hoven delivers an EP that not only beautifully illustrates her artistry, but also addresses balance as being a desirable and important aesthetic in jazz" - Terri Lyne Carrington (NEA Jazz Master and three-time GRAMMY® award-winning drummer, producer, and educator)

"We have had the honour of working with Migdalia over the past year. Her new EP is a true reflection of her artistry and personality; generous, versatile and an inspiration to the next generation of female Jazz drummers." - women in jazz