​SIMONA SMIRNOVA
vocalist - composer - kanklės player

SIMONA SMIRNOVA: bird language album review

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. 

Giulia Bianchi 

"All About Jazz"

SIMONA SMIRNOVA listed among Atwood magazine's 2022 artists to watch

"I am especially encouraged by the Eastern European spin she brings to the genre, including by way of playing the kanklės, a Lithuanian plucked string instrument, and belting a few Baltic folklore chants along the way. She provides some unique flavoring to jazz and chamber music, and I’ll be greatly pleased to receive a full sampling of it once Bird Language arrives in three months’ time."

Josh Weiner

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" 

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.

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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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"

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."

London Jazz News, Interview