Ella Zirina
Picture by Simon Schoo
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.
ella Zirina Trio
Picture by Dohyun Lim
Expanding on Ella’s passion for texture, the Ella Zirina Trio adds double bass and drums into the mix to create rich and colorful compositions by joining musical and creative forces with drummer Jamie Peet (The Netherlands) and double bassist Ton Felices (Spain). All of them being strong improvisers and musicians with their musical style they are free to express their individuality in the canvas that is the compositions of Zirina.
The trio has performed in various venues and festivals in The Netherlands such as BIMHUIS, Amersfoort Jazz Festival, Grachtenfestival, Jazz In Duketown and elsewhere in Europe, like in Spain Festival Nigran Jazz 2022, in Norway (Oslo Jazz Festival 2023), in Germany (The Loft, Cologne), in Latvia (Riga Ritmi Jazz festival), in Poland (JAZZtrzębie Festiwal).
The trio originally started their journey in a different line up after meeting as students at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam together with musicians David Macchione (Italy) on the double bass, Eloi Pascual Nogue (Spain). They recorded the debut album Intertwined of Zirina .
The Ella Zirina Trio was awarded the first prize in the Virtual Jazz Club Competition 6th Edition. In the words of the Virtual Jazz Competition jury:
“Zirina is a guitar virtuosi with her own style. Her Gibson seems to be an extension of her persona. A lesson in how to develop an improvisation."
— Arnaldo DeSouteiro
‘‘A full, rich, really centered guitar sound, a very cool Gibson, but most of all a tremendously musical touch and a real sense of connection with the song. Fantastic, can't wait to hear more from Ella Zirina."
— David Adler
"This is jazz guitar that speaks eloquently of the tradition and it brought a smile to my face. There is unquestionable artistry and maturity of expression here, the kind that is seldom found in younger players.’’
—John Fenton