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Iriao will represent Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2018!
Iriao's distinct repertoire is built on Georgian authentic folk ground, although the band does not aim to modernize unique Georgian polyphony music (recognized by UNESCO as an oral masterpiece of intangible world cultural heritage) but rather to saturate and adorn it with jazz elements. This synthesis is well introduced by David Malazonia through his special experience and respect for this music and is performed by the band with utmost subtlety. Iriao is a Georgian ethno-jazz group founded in Tbilisi, Georgia. Its name comes from a common phrase "iriao-uruao" used in the traditional Georgian yodeling singing style "Krimanchuli". Having rich experience both in Georgian folk music and jazz, the leader of the band, David Malazonia, is one of the first Georgian composers who combined these two genres in his compositions. For the last 30 years, David has been writing music for numerous theater and film productions both in Georgia and Germany, including vocal and instrumental music for the famous Georgian ethno-jazz band ADIO, being a pioneer in Georgian folk-jazz fusion. Iriao's debut performance took place in June 2013 in Tbilisi and received deserved recognition from the audience and musical press. Since then, the band has successfully performed at Java and Borneo Jazz festivals, received rousing applause from the audience in Latvian concert halls, came up with a new project "Messages to Kancheli," and gave a concert with the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vakhtang Kakhidze. Iriao is a frequent guest at numerous corporate and club gigs and enjoys increasing popularity among the public.
Iriao Members:
David Malazonia – Band Leader, Composer, Keys
Nugzar Kavtaradze – Georgian Traditional Instruments
David Japaridze – Percussion
Levan Abshilava – Drums
Shalva Gelekva – Bass
George Abashidze – Vocals
Mikheil Javakhishvili – Vocals
Bidzina Murgulia - Vocals
Iriao's distinct repertoire is built on Georgian authentic folk ground, although the band does not aim to modernize unique Georgian polyphony music (recognized by UNESCO as an oral masterpiece of intangible world cultural heritage) but rather to saturate and adorn it with jazz elements. This synthesis is well introduced by David Malazonia through his special experience and respect for this music and is performed by the band with utmost subtlety. Iriao is a Georgian ethno-jazz group founded in Tbilisi, Georgia. Its name comes from a common phrase "iriao-uruao" used in the traditional Georgian yodeling singing style "Krimanchuli". Having rich experience both in Georgian folk music and jazz, the leader of the band, David Malazonia, is one of the first Georgian composers who combined these two genres in his compositions. For the last 30 years, David has been writing music for numerous theater and film productions both in Georgia and Germany, including vocal and instrumental music for the famous Georgian ethno-jazz band ADIO, being a pioneer in Georgian folk-jazz fusion. Iriao's debut performance took place in June 2013 in Tbilisi and received deserved recognition from the audience and musical press. Since then, the band has successfully performed at Java and Borneo Jazz festivals, received rousing applause from the audience in Latvian concert halls, came up with a new project "Messages to Kancheli," and gave a concert with the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vakhtang Kakhidze. Iriao is a frequent guest at numerous corporate and club gigs and enjoys increasing popularity among the public.
Iriao Members:
David Malazonia – Band Leader, Composer, Keys
Nugzar Kavtaradze – Georgian Traditional Instruments
David Japaridze – Percussion
Levan Abshilava – Drums
Shalva Gelekva – Bass
George Abashidze – Vocals
Mikheil Javakhishvili – Vocals
Bidzina Murgulia - Vocals
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