Who’s Maria?
From Di da di to M.A.G.I.C…
Maria Montell is an established name on the Danish music scene and has released no fewer than 8 albums as a solo artist and songwriter. Songs and pop hits such as “Jeg er her for dig,” “Sådan går det hver gang,” “Svært at være gudinde,” “Kys mig op til himlen,” “Her er gude godt at være,” and “Imens hun sang (Di da di)” were some of P3’s most played songs in the ’90s.
She grew up with jazz as a fixed part of her childhood, which makes it natural for Maria Montell to love jazz and the wonderful evergreens that have been written over time.
She has been active as a jazz singer for many years, including with Benjamin Koppel’s Jazz Galla.
Maria has written songs for both international and Danish artists over the years and has been in the music industry for 30 years (1994-2024) this year.
Maria Montell has a particular fondness for Bossa Nova, which is also expressed in her later album releases, including the critically acclaimed “Bossa for My Baby,” where her talent as an evergreen and Bossa singer shines brilliantly.
Maria Montell’s biggest international hit to date, with 2.3 million sold copies, is also a Bossa Nova (“And so the story goes Di DaDi”), which took her around the world.
When Maria plays live with Hannibal Gustafsson (Guitar), Carsten Skov (Vibraphone/Keys), Bastian Sjelberg (Bass), Yohanier Ramon (Percussion), Kristoffer Sjelberg (Drums), and Lars Hartvig (Sax), she mixes folk-pop with funky Bossa and jazz. Like a balm for the soul… The past few years, Maria and her band have played over 100 concerts in various constellations, depending on venue size and audience.
HopCreek Festival
In July 2020, Maria created her own Hop Creek Festival in the countryside of Humlebæk. There have been 5 festivals since 2020. A festival that is here to stay in North Zealand. The program features original Danish music from past and present. Funky jazz, Danish pop, and soul are also a large part of the festival, and a respected DJ is always on the lineup.
Festival 2025
Hopefully, there will be sun and summer in Maria Montell’s 25,000 square meter backyard when the Hopcreek Festival 2025 takes place from June 19th to 21st. A music festival Montell has organized with her husband Tomas Villum Jensen for the past five years. This year, artists such as Peter AG, Jørgen Klubien, Wafande, POPTÖS, and of course, Maria Montell are on the program.
M.A.G.I.C
Some songs just feel like sun, summer, freckles on the nose, and a zest for life. Maria Montell’s new single “M.A.G.I.C” is one of them. The song is Montell’s tribute to life and marks her 30-year anniversary in the music industry this year.
On “M.A.G.I.C,” Maria Montell teamed up with the legendary Laid Back, who have been on the scene 15 years longer than her. John Guldberg and Tim Stahl’s musical fingerprints are evident from the song’s first line.
Montell’s feminine, light voice melts together with Guldberg’s iconic deep, masculine vocals, and Tim Stahl features on the harmonica. The result is a pop gem that exudes good vibes, sun, summer, positivity – and magic.
In fact, Montell’s evergreen “Di Da Di (And So the Story Goes)” is still going strong. In large parts of Europe and South America, the song is still played. The plan is also to translate and release “M.A.G.I.C” in Spanish.
Spain is generally a country that means a lot to Montell, who often heads south when she needs to write new music. The current single and the upcoming release were also created in Malaga.
“When I am in the sun, a great love for life and all the people I have around me at home arises in me. I think about how we need to take care of each other, something that can easily be forgotten in a busy everyday life. I find myself here in the middle of it all, needing to be something for both the youngest and the oldest – it gives me something to reflect on these years,” explains Montell.
Katrine Ring writes about Maria’s latest album Soy Maria: “Maria Montell has just released Soy Maria and shows once again that she has a stylish sense for Bossa and sixties pop and for choosing the right musical partners. She is unique in Danish music and knows exactly who she is and what she can do. This album is stylish, captivating, live-recorded, and completely free from current trends. If I were a music critic, I would give it top marks. Classic album! Feel free to quote me on that! Bonus info: released on yellow vinyl.”
Maria Montell is first and foremost a songwriter. And she is a “Do it yourself” lady.
There is always new music on the way…
