Simona Smirnova is a Lithuanian born jazz vocalist, composer and folk zither – kanklės player based in New York City. Described as Eastern European-tinged jazz/exotica, she is a fixture in the New York live scene when she is not touring the world, including Australia, Europe and New Zealand.

She is returning to perform in Auckland for the fourth time and will be presenting her new album release Bird Language. Simona will be performing with local Auckland jazz talents; Alan Brown on piano, Adam Tobeck on drums and Cameron McArthur on bass.

Smirnova’s genre-bending style has a unique theatrical flavour and uncanny vocal improvisation techniques. She deftly implements folkloric chants and Lithuanian zither – kanklės into foundations of jazz and rock. Smirnova’s new album “Bird Language” — channels groundbreaking artists like Björk and Joanna Newsom while exploring the ways that humans are connected to nature. Bird Language album and her current New Zealand tour is dedicated to the awareness of climate change.

There is an aura of mystique to Smirnova’s Bird Language, a stunning blend of Baltic folklore, jazz, pop, and rock, infused with nature- themed sounds. The album was brought to life through the ethereal sound of Lithuanian kanklės, Smirnova’s virtuosic, sultry signature vocals, and mimicked bird shrieks, interpolated with jazz piano-driven solos, and sinuous, enticing arrangements. – All About Jazz