Eurovision Eurovision 2018 Georgia

IRIAO will represent Georgia at Eurovision 2018

GPB has revealed the name of the band that will represent Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. The broadcaster has internally selected the ethno jazz band IRIAO founded by David Malazonia.

About IRIAO:

Iriao is Georgian ethno jazz band founded in Tbilisi, Georgia. Name Iriao comes from the common phrase “Iriao-uruao” of the famous Georgian jodeling singing style “Krimanchuli”. Having a deep experience both in Georgian folk music and jazz, leader of the band David Malazonia is considered to be one of the first Georgian composers, who has combined these two genres in his compositions. For the last 30 years, David has been successfully composing music for numerous theater pieces and films both in Georgia and Germany, as well as for the legendary Georgian band ADIO.

In 2013 both the amount of excellent material and wish of the colleagues has reached the critical mass and David was literally pushed to create a band! 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 took place in June 2013 in Tbilisi and received deserved recognition of the audience and mass media. Iriao plans to actively promote its performance and conduct concerts around Georgia and abroad.

The members of the band are:

David Malazonia – Composer, Keys, Arranger and Leader
Nugzar Kavtaradze – Georgian Folk Instruments
Levan Abshilava – Drums, Percussion
Shalva Gelekva – Bass
George Abashidze – Vocal & Misc.
Mikheil Javakhishvili – Vocal & Misc.
Bidzina Murgulia – Vocal & Misc.

The song they will perform in Lisbon will be premiered in due course.

What do you think about the Georgian choice for Eurovision 2018? Let us know in comments!


Source:  GPB
Eurovision

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