Maja Jaku

Maja Jakupovic, known artistically as Maja Jaku, is an internationally acclaimed jazz and soul vocalist, composer, bandleader, and distinguished university professor. With a voice described as cinematic, fearless, and deeply truthful, she is regarded as one of Europe’s most compelling contemporary jazz artists—an expressive storyteller whose artistry transcends cultural and musical boundaries.

Born on October 24 in Kosovo into a family rich in artistic tradition, Maja’s extraordinary talent revealed itself early. By the age of seven, she was already winning music festival awards, and at fourteen she formed her first band. At eighteen, during the Yugoslav wars, she made a courageous and life-defining decision to travel alone to Austria to pursue her calling in jazz.

In 1991, Maja passed the highly competitive entrance exam to the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, where she studied with legendary jazz vocalists Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, Andy Bey, and Jay Clayton, as well as classical soprano Mary Frances Lubahn, former prima donna of the Graz Opera. These formative years shaped her unmistakable artistic voice—rooted in emotional honesty, fearless improvisation, and technical mastery.

“It was a joy to work with Maja. She is a fantastic singer with a beautiful and natural instrument. Her passion for music is at the highest level.”

— Sheila Jordan

“Maja has an incredibly wide vocal range, high quality, and deep soul. Even when she’s wrong—it sounds right.”

— Andy Bey

“I remember when you declared on your first day: ‘I am for jazz!’ Now you are there—relax and enjoy.”

— Mark Murphy

Early Career & Artistic Development

Between 1991 and 1999, Maja toured extensively across Europe with her jazz trio, performing at major festivals and collaborating with the pioneering Austrian fusion band Attack. Her theatrical versatility was equally evident through leading roles in the musicals Hair and Godspell at the Graz Opera House and Next Liberty Theater.

In 1997, she formed her first ensemble under her own name, marking her official debut as a bandleader on the European jazz scene.

Discography & Recording Career

After a brief pause to embrace motherhood, Maja returned powerfully with her debut album:

• Talking Jazzik (2002, Extraplatte Records)

  Featuring Fritz Pauer, Ewald Oberleitner, and Karlheinz Miklin, the album established her as a singular voice in modern European jazz.

• Message (2005, PG Records)

  A bold collection of original compositions with Saša Mutić, Jure Pukl, Vanja Kevrešan, and Johnathan Blake.

• The Universe Makes No Mistakes (2012, ATS Records)

  A refined, introspective album praised for its spiritual depth, featuring Saša Mutić, Howard Curtis, Dušan Simović, and Ivan Ivanov.

In 2018, Maja entered the international soul-jazz spotlight through a transatlantic collaboration with Iain Dench and Sharon Vaughn. The single “Cross My Heart” was released by Universal Music Austria, produced by Alex Deutsch, and featured Matthieu Michel, Scott Kinsey, and Stephan Kondert.

Returning fully to her jazz roots, she released:

• Soul Searching (2022, ATS Records)

  Recorded at ORF Studios Vienna, featuring Jim Rotondi, Thomas Kugi, Dušan Simović, Joris Dudli, and Saša Mutić, receiving international airplay from Europe to Japan.

Blessed & Bewitched – American Debut (2025)

In 2025, Maja released her most personal and ambitious work to date:

Blessed & Bewitched

(Origin Records, USA – Release Date: October 17, 2025)

Recorded at The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn, New York, the album marks Maja Jaku’s official American debut and was released in collaboration with Jim Eigo / Jazz Promo Services.

The all-original and carefully curated program explores jazz’s emotional and spiritual dimensions—raw, poetic, and transcendent. The album features a world-class ensemble:

• Michael Rodriguez – trumpet (Grammy-winning artist)

• Alan Bartuš – piano (Herbie Hancock Competition semi-finalist)

• Dezron Douglas – bass (Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane)

• Johnathan Blake – drums (Blue Note artist)

• Adrian Varady – producer, drums & percussion (Quincy Jones protégé)

Since its release, Blessed & Bewitched has received significant international acclaim, including:

• All About Jazz – #1 Song of the Day (“The Witch”)

• Extensive airplay across U.S., Canadian, and European jazz radio

• Coverage from Women in Jazz Media, Paris-Move, JazzBlues.EU, Concerto Magazine, and more

• Placement among Top Jazz Vocal Albums on HighResAudio

“She is a ‘singer’s singer.’ Everything she executes is not only convincing—it is true.”

— Howard Curtis

Education & Artistic Mentorship

Beyond performance and recording, Maja Jaku is a revered vocal educator with over 30 years of experience. She is a university professor at Jam Music Lab University Vienna, where she teaches solo singing and leads multiple stage bands. Her international class attracts students from across the world seeking depth, authenticity, and mastery.

Her teaching integrates:

• Jazz tradition passed down from Andy Bey, Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, and Jay Clayton

• Classical training

• Contemporary techniques such as Speech Level Singing (SLS) (Dave Stroud)

• A holistic approach addressing body, psyche, expression, and artistic identity

Maja is renowned for her ability to identify and dissolve psychological and expressive blocks, guiding students toward their authentic voice. Many of her students have gone on to successful international careers.

Artistic Philosophy

• Your voice is the mirror of your soul.

• Every voice carries a universe.

• When you find your true voice, you find your true self.

Awards

Awards & Recognitions
    •    Early music festival award winner (childhood, former Yugoslavia)
    •    “The Witch” selected as Song of the Day — All About Jazz (2025)
    •    Blessed & Bewitched listed among Top Jazz Vocal Albums — HighResAudio (2025)
    •    Album Blessed & Bewitched included in Top Jazz Albums selections by international radio platforms (2025)
    •    Widely featured and reviewed by leading jazz media, including All About Jazz, Women in Jazz Media, Paris-Move, JazzBlues.EU, Concerto Magazine, and Bman’s Blues Report
    •    International radio recognition with regular airplay across JazzWeek-reporting stations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan

Gear

Voice (Jazz Vocalist)