Ella Zirina

Ella Zirina (1997) is a jazz guitarist and composer from Latvia, with a passion for the different textures and timbres of her instrument. Her compositions are build out of melodic improvisations, resulting in a personal and emotional sonic environment.

After studying piano until the age of 17, Ella switched to guitar studies, channeling her broad musical influences. From Alexander Scriabin to Joni Mitchell and from Led Zeppelin to Bill Evans, Jim Hall and Wes Montgomery. Determined and passionate, she left Latvia and pursued studies in Jazz guitar in Amsterdam.

In 2021 (B.A.) and 2023 (M.A.), Ella graduated with the highest honors at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, having studied with Jesse van Ruller, Reinier Baas, Maarten van der Grinten and Martijn van Iterson among others.

Ella has worked and performed with many talented musicians, such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joey Baron (by performing at North Sea Jazz Festival 2023),Tineke Postma, Ben van Gelder, Jesse van Ruller, Reinier Baas, Pablo Held, Yuri Honing and many more. She has performed as a soloist with Jazz Orchestra of The Concertgebouw, played in NJJO and Jong Metropole. During masterclasses, she has shared the stage with John Scofield, Peter Bernstein, Kurt Rosenwinkel.

From the end of 2021 till the beginning of 2023, she was in residency at BIMHUIS for ‘New Makers’ talent development project. Within this project she recorded her (Edison Jazz Award nominated) debut studio album with her trio - Intertwined - which features her work for a string quartet and Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma on a few tunes. The album was released on March 10, 2023 through BIMHUIS records. More info here: BIMHUIS productions

She released her second studio album and a solo guitar album Unraveler in December 2023 with DOX Records.

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