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Tanya Balakyrska

A Ukrainian singer-songwriter living in Russia, writing music about life and love, as well as writing articles about music.

About Me

Tanya Balakyrska: a vocalist and composer, originated from Ukraine and residing in Russia. Tanya is a known Russian and Ukrainian music journalist as well. Her music style is quite difficult to distinguish: indie, minimalism, some bits of jazz, pop, lounge and sympho-fusion are mixed in it, depending on a particular lineup chosen. Tanya writes music and lyrics, sometimes co-working with a Canadian poet Sienna Dahlen and using poems by E.E.Cummings. Tanya performs at numerous international jazz and contemporary music festivals, prestigious venues of Russia and Ukraine. Her debut CD was highly acclaimed even before its official release. Russia’s one of the most influential magazines, «Stereo&Video», chose «Lviv Sessions» as a featuring CD for the September 2011 issue, with a large and complimentary accompanying article. In such a way, the debut Tanya Balakyrska’s album has been released in 123.000 copies nationwide. It has also become subject to extended author’s radio programs broadcast interna- tionally (Estonian Raadio 4, Armenian Radio Van, Russian and Ukrainian radio stations etc.).

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My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it gives work to my brain and soul. I was first exposed to jazz at the age of 19 when my dad played George Benson's music. As far as I'm not only a musician but also a journalist, I met Kurt Elling, Bobby McFerrin, Victor Bailey, Karlheinz Miklin, Buster Williams, Lenny White, Ian Bang, Erik Honore, Eivind Aarset, Sidsel Endresen and many others. The best show I ever attended was Punkt Festival in 2011. The first jazz record I bought was Ella Fitzgerald's "Greatest Hits". My advice to new listeners is to realize that music is not the end in itself. It must lead you to something better, something bigger. I accept one kind of music -- the one which is capable of healing people, giving them hope, some light, some connection to each other and to God. The music which is created to entertain one's mind or feet does not have any true value, to my mind, -- although it might be amusing at times.