Russian poetry In Jazz! New Song Cycle By Lena Bloch Sung By Kyoko Kitamura at Scholes Street Studio

Acclaimed saxophonist/composer Lena Bloch reimagines work of Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva in a new jazz suite,
commissioned by Chamber Music America
On the 130th anniversary of the birth of Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva, during a time when immigrants, women and artists face increasing struggle in the United States, acclaimed Russian-born saxophonist and composer Lena Bloch premieres My Name Is Marina, a commissioned jazz suite for ensemble and voice featuring her own English translations of Tsvetaeva’s works. “Throughout my life, Tsvetaeva has served as a model of resilience as an immigrant, an artist and a woman,” says Bloch, “all of which have been under siege in modern political discourse, all the more reason to amplify her voice for a modern audience.”...

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Acclaimed saxophonist/composer Lena Bloch reimagines work of Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva in a new jazz suite,
commissioned by Chamber Music America
On the 130th anniversary of the birth of Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva, during a time when immigrants, women and artists face increasing struggle in the United States, acclaimed Russian-born saxophonist and composer Lena Bloch premieres My Name Is Marina, a commissioned jazz suite for ensemble and voice featuring her own English translations of Tsvetaeva’s works. “Throughout my life, Tsvetaeva has served as a model of resilience as an immigrant, an artist and a woman,” says Bloch, “all of which have been under siege in modern political discourse, all the more reason to amplify her voice for a modern audience.”

Joining Bloch for the performances will be vocalist Kyoko Kitamura, pianist Jacob Sacks, bassist Ken Filiano, and drummer Michael Sarin. The performances are supported by the Russian-American Cultural Center. The recording and world premiere are supported by Chamber Music America’s Artistic Projects program, funded through the Howard Gilman Foundation.

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