
JOAN OF ARC ALBUM REVIEW AT FANFARE MAGAZINE
"Smirnova’s music has a timeless aspect while able to reference a wide range of modes of expression; and her own voice, too, has that otherwordly quality."
Colin Clarke
"Fanfare Magazine"
February 2021

CD review: In the footsteps of Joan of Arc and Simona Smirnova
"(...) the composer crosses all the traps – the romanticism of Joan of Arc, the illusion of security of a typical structure, the appeasement of the image, the standard interpretation of events and characters, and so on. The deeper, more subtle musical layers of Joan of Arc on the screen breathe, hide, engulf a veil of hint or intuition."
February, 2021
Contemporary Creatives

LOVE4IMMIGRANTS: ART & IDENTITY
"Exploring and embodying new identities is part of the human experience. Simona Smirnova explores this concept in her work as a singer. A prominent theme in her songs is exploring resolutions and balance between her various identities. She was born and raised in Lithuania by her Slavic mixed family. "
July, 2020
Maribel Rodriguez

JAZZLOCAL32.COM: TOUR IN NEW ZEALAND
"(...) here is always an engaging theatrical element to her stage presence; something akin to an off-Broadway show. When you factor in her vocal chops, fine compositions, and originality you get an enjoyable whole. It is more than a mere cobbled eclecticism, it is well-judged performance art."
February, 2019
JazzLocal32.com
John Fenton

DRAUGAS NEWS:
BRINGING JOAN OF ARC TO LIFE
"The interplay between Smirnova’ film score and Dreyer’s cinematography resulted in a breathtaking performance. Simona’ musical composition connected the audience to Dreyer’s actors and transcended linguistic, cultural and temporal barriers.
September, 2018
Mary Teuscher

JAZZLOCAL32:
A HUNGER ARTIST
"She is billed as a Jazz Singer, composer, arranger and artistic director, and she is unafraid to mash up or blend genres. All of the above descriptors were on show when she performed at the Backbeat Bar and everything she did, communicated an innate sense of fun and adventure."
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February, 2018
JazzLocal32.com
John Fenton

BOSTON HASSLE:
A HUNGER ARTIST
"Each performer crosses disciplines, bringing voice and gesture where you might not expect. This adds a kind of lopsided tapestry to the show; framing top notch musicianship and refined dance against new, sometimes awkward expressions"
July, 2017
Boston Hassle
Emily Cobb

LONDON JAZZ NEWS: ROCK & FOLK WERE NOT ENOUGH
"London inspires me with its buzz and gives me more strength. This environment and the Olympic excitement is stimulating my creativity in a wonderful way and gives me even more social context for my creative work. My musical vision is to perceive the audience and to reflect it. Probably there is no better place for me to warm up before my studies in the USA."
August, 2012
London Jazz News, Interview