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It's often said that jazz is global music. No doubt, it's borne in the southern United States and originates from African roots. But the structure of the art form is like a public commons where incredibly talented people are able to perform and enrich this musical tradition. Irina Zubareva is one of these highly skilled and gifted artists whose interest in jazz stems from her family. Irina received her graduate degree in Music from the Saint Petersburg Academy of Art and Music, and then performed in the main Jazz clubs of Saint Petersburg. Since 2001, she has toured Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Malta, the Dominican Republic, and also worked as singer with a band or as jazz duo on cruise ships. Since 2013, Irina has been living in New York where she has performed with Hendrik Meurkens and the Art Lillard Big Band at the Iridium club and the Zinc Bar. There's indeed a part of this album which is nostalgic, an honorific to Irina's musical parents who instilled in her the appreciation and gift of music. She knows that her father would be immensely proud of her singing his favorite music in New York City. And yet, this album is ever more, something unusual and rare that makes you remember how limitless jazz can be. I've long thought of Brazil and Russia together, as they begin the acronym BRIC. This term refers to emerging markets and includes India and China. But this is the first time that I've thought of Brazil and Russia fused through music. Bridges to Rio is the mixture of Russian and Brazilian songs with a combined Samba Jazz aesthetic. It is wholly original, a genuine joy to listen to. That Zubareva has created this beautiful CD is a testament to her vision to "connect the dots" and render highly sophisticated art. This album came together rather spontaneously. It was recorded as part of a live performance for mostly Russian natives in a private residence in New York in 2019. - Kabir Sehgal is a Multi Grammy & Latin Grammy Award winning producer.

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Press Quotes

Yes, a Russian living in New York can feel the tropics in her soul. A Brazilian record of a different flavor, it remains right in the pocket with a skilled singer at the wheel and delivers the sun dappled goods the discerning Brazilians listener demands. A perfect example of how to let go and let the universal language take over and do it's thing all the way down to the trills and rolls.

     —Chris Spector, Midwest Record review 6/25/2021