Martina Bárta has been announced as the Czech Republic representative to the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. She will be jetting off to Kyiv, Ukraine in the hopes of winning the show for the country.
She currently performs with her band 4 To The Bar, who made the announcement yesterday before taking it down to allow the Czech Republic broadcaster to officially announce it themselves.
Martina Bárta isn’t well-known in the Czech Republic, but her style of music is popular in the country; with many jazz clubs easily found in Prague.
The singer is currently taking part in Sinatrology, which is a swing gala night. She also has her own YouTube Channel where you can watch live video clips of her performing with a jazz orchestra in Berlin.
Watch Eurovision 2017 Contestant, Martina Bárta, Perform Live Here:
The Czech Republic is one of the newest countries to take part in Eurovision; debuting in 2007. They have failed to qualify for the Grand Final every year, up until last year. In 2016, Gabriela Guncikova, with her song “I Stand”, managed to advance to the Grand Final, where she placed 25th with 41 points. Martina Bárta is hoping to do beat that score in May.
To do so, she’ll have to score more points than the other contestants. There is a total of 43 countries participating, many of whom have already announced their acts. The following have all been confirmed: Cyprus’ Hovig, The Netherlands’ O’G3NE, Belgium’s Blanche, Macedonia’s Jana Burceska, Azerbaijan’s DiHaj, Ireland’s Brendan Murray, Austria’s Nathan Trent, Albania’s Lindita, Armenia’s Artsvik, Montenegro’s Slavko Kalezic, Greece’s Demy, Georgia’s Tako Gachechiladze, Belarus’s Navi, The United Kingdom’s Lucie Jones, Finland’s Norma John, Switzerland’s Timebelle, France’s Alma, Germany’s Levina, Spain’s Manel Navarro, Italy’s Francesco Gabbani, and Israel’s Imri Ziv.
The semi-finals will take place on 9 May and 11 May, with the Grand Final happening on 13 May 2017. It will take place in Kyiv, Ukraine, after Jamala won the contest last year with her song “1944”.
Martina Bárta’s song will apparently be announced next month.
What do you make of Martina Bárta? Does the Czech Republic have a chance at winning, do you think? Let us know all your thoughts on Twitter @CelebMix.