Polish-Ukrainian harpist Alina Bzhezhinska brings the burgeoning stylings of 'jazz harp' to this year's WOMADelaide courtesy of her eponymous quartet.
The classically-trained instrumentalist is forging new ground as she continues to develop international interest in the style of jazz that is built around the complex melodic and rhythmic structures of the harp.
Last year the Alina Bzhezhinska Quartet released their debut album 'Inspiration', a volume of music that draws heavily on the extensive work of Alice and John Coltrane. “It's a very special album,” Alina says.
“It's also a very personal album for me because 'Inspiration' is not just from particular pieces of particular people, like Alice and John Coltrane – of course they are giants in music and they inspired me a lot – but this whole album was also inspired by many people and events.
“My personal journey in music and in life: travelling, having a family, being a single mother and being a professional musician travelling around the world – everything came together and inspired me to produce this album.”
In her quartet Alina and her harp take the role usually occupied by the piano, and are joined by the collective talents of Tony Kofi on saxophone, Larry Bartley on double bass and Australian Joel Prime on drums.
The harp is a rare instrument, and a trained harpist who plays it with the dextrous grace such as Alina even rarer. What the Alina Bzhezhinska Quartet offer with 'jazz harp' and their recent album is music that is both challenging and unique. “When people come to my concerts they have lots of new things to take away,” Alina explains.
“First of all there's 'jazz harp', which I'm pushing through lots of obstacles – there's some very nice and supportive things happening but especially at the beginning it was quite difficult because it was new and not many people do this, and when something new comes along not everyone embraces it immediately.
“There were some reservations with how it would work, would it work and would people like it, but I'm very pleased with the result... somebody called it 'spiritual jazz' – I wouldn't box it into 'spiritual jazz', but it does have an aspect of spirituality.
“This kind of music is quite modern and I think people really need something like that where they can actually connect to something within and not just come and jump or relax, but actually do both, and also think about what they hear.
“The whole complexity of what we're trying to achieve and what we're trying to say actually works at many levels.”
Just how well 'jazz harp' is received in Australia remains to be seen as Alina prepares to perform as part of WOMADelaide in March.
“I'd heard of this festival before, but could never have dreamed I would be there actually playing. I heard that we were chosen to go and play, and I literally jumped on my bed like a little girl,” she laughs, “I was screaming and jumping.
“I'm looking forward to be among all this amazing talent and international artists, and feel the vibe and the weather and everything.
“It's just such an adventure; it's probably going to be one of the best gigs that we will experience in our life.”
