TAMARA OBROVAC & KAREN ASATRIAN IstrArmenia ensemble
Tamara Obrovac and Karen Asatrian, a Croatian singer and an Armenian piano player together in new project, meeting point of Armenian and Istrian spirit, the synthesis of two musical journeys, two musical handwritings, two great performers and composers, both seeking for truthfulness combining archaic language of their traditions with modern jazz expression.
New project is harmonious combination of two traditions, two melodic expressions and two different languages, united in intensity of the expression, both dynamic and melancholic, suffused with spontaneity, inventive improvisation, freedom, and humor, present in Tamara’s and Karen’s work.
Both artist are gifted with great potential in performing live music, two with strong persons; she with her fascinating voice and singing skills and he with his eclectic and passionate piano playing; combining jazz expression with archaism of their traditions, blending their emotional and creative forces, in a small, unique musical cosmos...
Their music is played by excellent musicians, members of their bands, contributing to this unique musical journey with the virtuosity and vast range of their expression, making this musical story come true.
The project was presented for the first time 12th February in Jazz club Klagenfurt, and Croatian premiere took place on February 14th 2011, at INK (Istrian National Theatre) in Pula.
The work on the project will be followed by the production of the CD and further concert promotion.
Check the video recordings by Matija Debeljuh from concert in Istrian national theater 2011.
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IstrArmenia ensemble:
Tamara Obrovac, voice, flute
Karen Asatrian, piano, violin
Carlos Sungurlyan, oud, bouzuki
Uroš Rakovec, gutar, mandoline
Zvonimir Šestak, double bass
Kruno Levačić, drums
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PANPHONIA ISTRIANA/ ISTARSKO MNOGOZVUČJE
Tamara has launched the years-long project of revitalization of dialectal and musical heritage of Istria, PANPHONIA ISTRIANA, in which the obsoleteness of the dialectal and cultural tradition is connected with the modern multimedia expression.
The visual identity of the project is in the hands of Matija Debeljuh, director and visual artist. The aim of the project is to produce one multimedia computer DVD each two years, dedicated to one of the many Istrian dialects of Slavic and Romanic origin.
The leading idea of the whole project is: dialect is the language of emotion, emotion is the language of the soul, soul is the language of a culture.
The first DVD was dedicated to the Istro-Roman dialect, the second one to the Vlaški and Žejanski (Istroromanian) dialect preserved in the villages of Žejane and Šušnjevica, on the slopes of Učka mountain.
The third one, vol 3, which is currently underway, will be dedicated to the dialect preserved in the area around labin, on the east coast of Istria, with characteristic "Labin cakavica".
The project is held under the motto “written word, uttered word and word set to music”.
more on www.panphonia.com
The leading idea of the whole project is: dialect is the language of emotion, emotion is the language of the soul, soul is the language of a culture.
VALAMAR JAZZ FESTIVAL
The second edition (2011) of Valamar Jazz Festival is behind us.
From July 6 to July 9, the city of Poreč, the historical and touristical gem on the west coast of the Istrian penninsula, was the jazz capital with some of the most important names of the world jazz, which enchanted the audience.
The stages in the old city and on the island of Sveti Nikola welcomed Tania Maria, Richard Galliano, Miguel Zenon, Nils Landgren, Tom Harrell and Tamara Obrovac, all of them top jazz artists.
This year, a part of the festival program was held in the old city, and the special treat was the concert of Richard Galliano Septet in the Euphrasian Basilica, the cultural monument from the sixth century which is on UNESCO's World Heritage List, while the afterparties was held in the garden of the unique Villa Polesini.
The friendly and relaxed atmosphere of Valamar Jazz Festival, the top quality program, the mellow summer nights and the vicinity of the sea provide an unforgettable experience to all the audience and make Poreč in the first days of July the unavoidable destination for jazz lovers.
Check the website for more info, and the following video which brings a bit of the atmosphere and events at the second Valamar Jazz Festival.
Let it be your invitation to join us next year.
You can book your jazz vacation too...check last year's offer.. :-)
ISTRIA / IRELAND
Tamara participates at a new project under the working title Istria/Ireland, which includes the creation of an international ensemble composed of the musicians from Croatia, Ireland and Slovenia, with the inter-cultural concept and the repertoire composed of the auctorial songs of the ensemble members, followed by the promotional concerts in Croatia, Ireland and other countries.
Several concerts have already been held in Ireland, Croatian premiere was on February 14 at INK Theatre in Pula, and next concert in Croatia was in Zagreb, 27.07.2010.
Check Matija Debeljuh's videos from the concert at Istrian national theater 2010.
"Róisín Dubh" (Irish trad.) & "Divojka" (T.Obrovac) - Tamara Obrovac IstriaIreland Ensemble
Nad Moren / Above the sea - Tamara Obrovac
IstriaIreland ensemble:
Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, harp
Tamara Obrovac, voice, flute
Martin Tourish/Simone Zanchini, accordeon
Uroš Rakovec, gutar, mandolin
Goran Rukavina, double bass
Kruno Levačić, drums
One of the ideas is that the musical material should include songs on archaic dialects from both countries and thus help preserving them.
