Simona Smirnova: Bird Language
New album release tour dedicated to the awareness of climate change
Simona Smirnova is a Lithuanian born jazz vocalist, composer and folk zither - kanklės player based in New York City. By press described as Eastern European-tinged jazz/exotica, she is a fixture in the New York live scene when she’s not touring the world, including Australia, New Zealand and Europe. She is returning to perform in New Zealand for the third time, but this is her first time in Dunedin. At Dunedin Folk Club Simona will be performing with local New Zealand jazz talents.
Smirnova’s genre-bending style has a unique theatrical flavor and uncanny vocal improvisation techniques. She deftly implements folkloric chants and Lithuanian zither – kanklės into foundations of jazz and rock. Smirnova’s new album “Bird Language'' — channels groundbreaking artists like Björk and Joanna Newsom while exploring the ways that humans are connected to nature. Bird Language album and her current New Zealand tour is dedicated to the awareness of climate change.
There is an aura of mystique to Smirnova's Bird Language, a stunning blend of Baltic folklore, jazz, pop, and rock, infused with nature- themed sounds. The album was brought to life through the ethereal sound of Lithuanian kanklės, Smirnova's virtuosic, sultry signature vocals, and mimicked bird shrieks, interpolated with jazz piano-driven solos, and sinuous, enticing arrangements. - All About Jazz
Simona's performances are lively, entertaining, theatrical and interactive. She is also a very active member of the musician community around the globe; she is an Alumna of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, a voting member of Grammy Recording Academy, a mentor at Grammy U program and a composer member of New York Composers Circle (NYCC).
Simona will be performing with Will Martin, local jazz pianist and the director of Dunedin Jazz Club
