Iriao ethno jazz band to represent Georgia at Eurovision 2018
Tweet 
Share
Ethno jazz band Iriao , known for their fusion of jazz and Georgian folk music elements, will be Georgia’s bid for a win at next spring’s Eurovision Song Contest in Portugal’s capital Lisbon.
The seven-member group that debuted in 2013 will bring their distinctive style of "adorning” Georgian polyphonic singing with jazz elements to the contest in May.
Led by composer and folk jazz pioneer David Malazonia, Iriao released their maiden recording in Poland in 2015.
The band perform in a range of musical events in Georgia, recently taking part in a show celebrating the legacy of celebrated late Georgian composer and conductor Jansug Kakhidze in Tbilisi.
They have also appeared at international events including Borneo Jazz Festival and Open Liepaja Festival.
First look! The stage in Lisbon for #ESC2018 is inspired by navigation, the sea, ships and maps! Find out more: https://t.co/ZpBjefCsG2pic.twitter.com/q598KK2D7n
— Eurovision (@Eurovision) 5 December 2017
Malazonia, performing on keyboard, is joined in the roster of the band by Nugzar Kavtaradze on Georgian folk instruments, Levan Abshilava on drums and percussion, and Shalva Gelekva on bass.
Vocals involve George Abashidze, Mikheil Javakhishvili and Bidzina Murgulia.
The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest will run in Lisbon on May 8, 10 and 12.
Two young jazz artists will represent Georgia at a musical performance launching the fifth edition of the Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels later this month.
Jazz artists from across South Caucasus will flock to Georgia’s capital to showcase their talents and educate emerging musicians within the Kavkaz Jazz Festival launching on Wednesday.
Georgia’s ethno jazz band Iriao have revealed the official video for their bid at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest at which the group will perform in May in Lisbon, Portugal.
For the first time, the Eurovision Song Contest will feature a performance in Georgian, as the ethno jazz band Iriao is set to represent the country at the televised event in Lisbon later today.
Award-winning musical artists will come together for this year’s Jansug Kakhidze International Music Festival in Tbilisi to celebrate the legacy of the famous Georgian composer and conductor.