IRIAO

Iriao is Georgian ethno jazz band founded in Tbilisi, Georgia.  The artistic
director and leader of the band is David Malazonia and its members are
musicians with sound experience in various directions of music. This
distinctive style of jazz is a respectable collaboration between jazz and
ethno folk music and has been kindly appreciated around the globe. D.
Malazonia can be regarded as one of the first composers who have initiated
this particular direction of music in Georgia.
Iriao’s distinct repertoire in overall is built on Georgian authentic folk
ground, although its goal is not to modernize unique Georgian polyphony music
(which has been broadly recognized by UNESCO as being a masterpiece of oral
immaterial heritage) but to saturate and adorn it with jazz elements. This
synthesis is well introduced by Mr. Malazonia thought his special experience
and respect of this music, and performed by band with much care.
Iriao’s debut performance was held in June this year, which was rather
successful. The concert has been appreciated and highly ranked by the
audience consisting of musicians as well representatives from different
prominent cultural institutions of Georgia. Iriao plans to actively promote
its performance and conduct concerts around Georgia and abroad.
 
 
Members of Iriao:
David Malazonia David Kavtaradze        Bidzina Murgulia
KEYS, COMPOSER,
ARRANGER and LEADER     GEORGIAN FOLK INSTRUMENTS       VOCAL & Misc
Levan Abshilava Shalva Gelekva  George Abashidze
DRUMS, PERCUSSION       BASS    VOCAL & Misc
Mikheil Javakhishvili           
VOCAL & Misc