It’s often said that jazz is global music. No doubt, it’s borne in the southern United States and originates from African roots, but the structure of the art form is like a public commons where incredibly talented people are able to perform and enrich this musical tradition.
New York’s Irina Zubareva is one of these highly skilled and gifted artists whose interest in jazz stems from her family. Zubareva was born into a family of professional musicians and she started out performing as a singer in her father’s band. She received her graduate degree in Music from the Saint Petersburg Academy of Art & Music and served as the conductor of the choir. From there she went on to perform in the main jazz clubs around the Russian city.
Since 2001, she has toured Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Malta, the Dominican Republic, and also worked as singer with a band or as jazz duo on cruise ships. Since 2013, Zubareva has been living in The Big Apple where she has performed with Hendrik Meurkens and the Art Lillard Big Band at the Iridium club and the Zinc Bar.
There’s indeed a part of this album which is nostalgic and she knows that her father would be immensely proud of her singing his favourite music in New York City... yet, this album is ever more, something unusual and rare that makes you remember how limitless jazz can be.
Bridges To Rio is the mixture of Russian and Brazilian songs with a combined samba jazz aesthetic. It is wholly original, a genuine joy to listen to. That Zubareva has created this beautiful CD is a testament to her vision to “connect the dots” and render highly sophisticated art.
This album came together rather spontaneously, recorded as part of a live performance for mostly Russian natives, in a private residence in New York in 2019.
TRACKS
Samba Little Samba / Show de Bola
Copacabana
Just Friends
Lesnoy Olen (Forest Deer)
Como Se Fosse
L’dinka (Icicle)
Triste
I’m Beginning To See The Light
Moey Dushe Pokoya Net (My Soul Has No Rest)
Brigas Nunca Mais
Ya Budu Vsegda S Toboi (I’ll Always Be With You)
A Ra
Enredo Do Meu Samba
U Prirody Net Plohoy Pogody (Nature Has No Bad Weather)
