IN THE CURRENT LINE UP OF CAFE AMAN,
MARTHA'S PASSIONATE VOCALS ARE MATCHED BY AN ENERGETIC AND POWERFUL 5-PIECE LINE UP OF SOME OF THE FOREMOST PLAYERS FROM LONDON¹S DANCE, CLUB AND WORLD MUSIC SCENE (KEYS,BASS,DRUMS). THE PONTIAC LYRA (THE INSTRUMENT OF THE GREEK ISLANDS) PROVIDES THE TRADEMARK HAUNTING MELANCHOLIC INSTRUMENTAL TOP LINES OF MARTHA'S MUSIC.

PRESENT (2003/2004)

CAFE AMAN IS CURRENTLY RECORDING ITS FIRST STUDIO ALBUM. MARTHA IS COLLABORATING WITH UK PRODUCERS WHOSE CREDITS INCLUDE MASSIVE ATTACK, SHAGGY, M-PEOPLE, HERBALISERS, MATT BIANCO AND OTHERS. A LIMITED EDITION (Live recording of Martha Lewis¹s Cafe Aman) WAS RELEASED IN 1999.

A POTTED HISTORY
In 1997 Martha began to create her own style of composition. A classical urban mix, with colourful Eastern modes fusing the contemporary cosmopolitan influences of her upbringing in London, with Rembetika, the music of the Greek refugees from 1920s Asia Minor.Rembetika music - which Martha has a deep affinity to, is known as "music of the outsiders" and featured strongly in her parents' lives when she was growing up. Martha created the 9 piece band Cafe Aman to perform her compositions, in which she sings, plays guitar and percussion. Cafe Aman was the result of a commission from the London Arts Board in 1996 premiered at the South Bank, London and received wide acclaim after a broadcast of the concert in March 1997 by BBC Radio 3. An Arts Council commisssion followed along with several commissions for meditation music and music for documentaries and TV short films.

SELECTED PERFORMANCES

Cargo London Jazz Festival 2002

1999-2001

Purcell Room London with a BBC Radio 3 Broadcast of entire concert.

Jazz Cafe London :: Summer World Music Outdoor Festival, London :: Cabot Hall Canary Wharf London :: Purcell Room London ( London Jazz Festival) :: Chard Festival Somerset :: Queen Elizabeth Hall South Bank London :: Brighton Festival :: City of London Festival :: Bristol Hope Centre :: Pheonix Theatre Exeter :: Brighton Komedia :: Croydon World Music Festival
REVIEWS
"Far from just another chunk of culture -hopping opportunism, Cafe Aman is a unique cultural crossover driven by a charismatic leader. Cafe Aman is Lewis¹ s firsat solo venture and the biggest show she has so far connected her formidable voice to....Lewis has a yearning upturn to her voice to go with its majestic and clamourous power.Cafe Aman is going places. John Fordham Guardian

'Martha Lewis' Cafe Aman project marries the urban blues of the cafes of Athens in the 1920s with urban London. Martha grew up in London and Cyprus and her dance-friendly world music, takes in tango, classical music and Greek rhythms. The instrumentation of her band provide a nostalgic and lyrical background to her striking vocal lead.' Stephen Graham Jazz Mag