Kateryna Avdysh and Ukrainian contemporary jazz and fusion

By Fernando Santos on 10/02/2023 *

Lisbon - ÀVDYSH is not just a Ukrainian contemporary jazz and fusion project , it is an artistic expression of singer Kateryna Avdysh . Through this project, Avdysh seeks to bring attention to quality modern music, Ukrainian language and culture, and to portray Ukraine as a strong and independent country.

The main repertoire includes original songs and arrangements of Ukrainian songs. Each composition tells us its own special story – either its own or created and influenced by different personalities.

In her music, Kateryna combines the freedom of jazz with the depth of Ukrainian motifs, creating a vision of the world in the form of contemporary art. This solo project focuses on contemporary jazz and fusion as its main musical genres.

At the age of 19, Kateryna started her own musical project, gathering the best musicians from Kyiv and performing at the Caribbean Club Concert Hall, one of the most prestigious jazz venues in Kyiv. Avdysh has performed in many Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Rivne, as well as in Italy and Poland as a Big Band soloist.

Before the war in Ukraine, Avdysh was working on his debut album. Despite the challenges, his dream and main goal remain the same: to share the music he creates with the world, to talk about Ukraine and to show the strength and independence of the Ukrainian people.

Kateryna currently lives in Lisbon, pursuing her artistic mission. Her starting point was an unexpected collaboration with Salvador Sobral and André Santos . She has performed live, solo and on piano, and also in collaboration with some of the best Portuguese musicians on the national jazz scene.

Kateryna Avdysh’s contemporary Ukrainian jazz and fusion is close to the hearts of her audience, incorporating her Ukrainian roots into her compositions to create contemporary art that everyone can enjoy. As she herself says, “Everyone will find something in my music that they can relate to. Jazz is the only planet where your emotions can run free.”

The interview with Kateryna , conducted by Fernando Santos ( FS ), allows us to learn a little more about this young promise for the world of music.

FS: What was your journey like until you discovered your passion for music and began your artistic career?

Kateryna Avdysh: When I was 5 years old, I started learning to play the piano. After my first competition, when I was a little girl playing a huge grand piano, I said to myself – “I want to be a musician”. Years passed and I had many concerts as a pianist, followed by the realization of my dream of studying at the Glier Music Academy (the best secondary music school in Ukraine). When I was studying at the music school, it was mandatory to attend the choir to improve my musical ear, so at the age of 9 I joined it. The teacher saw my talent and invited me to be a soloist in the adult choir. From that moment on, everyone started saying to me and my parents: “You have to sing, your voice is so jazzy, please go and study”. I didn’t understand and didn’t like jazz music, but I decided to study on my own, but pop music. When I was 13, I decided to completely change my musical orientation. I went to the jazz school and then to the music academy. I had several projects, a year ago I decided to start my project AVDYSH because I had the songs I wrote and I wanted to share them with people.

FS: Who were your biggest inspirations at the beginning of your career?

Kateryna Avdysh: I didn't necessarily have specific idols. However, whenever I saw singers performing on TV, I imagined myself on that big stage.

FS: And currently?

Kateryna Avdysh: I have some artists who inspire me. For example, I like to listen to the wonderful Cécile McLorin Salvant, her soul sings in a very special way. Also Tigran Hamasyan. His music is tender, but at the same time powerful, melodic and sometimes bitter, it is showing the truth of this world. About Ukrainian musicians - I am proud of the representatives of our jazz music. One of them is Yakiv Tsvetinskiy. I was surprised to hear stories when my friends here knew our instrumentalists and respected them. I am grateful that our artists spread the word about our culture. I hope to become the one people will talk about as the singer, who represents Ukraine and presents its culture to the world. About the Portuguese stage - I really like young musicians, such as Manuel Oliveira, Hugo Lobo, Tomás Marques and others. I think it is important to support jazz here, to motivate musicians, to care about them and to give them opportunities to show their art.

FS: What were the most significant challenges as an artist?

Kateryna Avdysh: My move to Portugal, which was unexpected. I must say that this country welcomed me when I couldn’t even imagine that I would end up here. I fled the war in my country. When I was moving to Lisbon, I didn’t even have a certain place to stay, but life smiled on me. I found my people, my space and started creating. It was difficult to start because I didn’t see any meaning in my music and in my life.

FS: When and where did you first feel significant recognition for your work?

Kateryna Avdysh: I think in Ukraine, when I started my project. That day was a success. Here in Portugal, my first achievement was singing with Salvador Sobral at the Altice Arena. My parents were proud of me, they were grateful and very happy.

FS: What moments in your career are you most proud of?

Kateryna Avdysh: My project AVDYSH is my first baby. I write all the songs, manage and produce this project. If we talk about performances - I have a few: with the Broadway theater in Ukraine (Rivne), with my new band in Kyiv on the stage of a very prestigious venue, with Salvador Sobral at CCB (unexpected) and Altice Arena, just singing and playing the piano and with an orchestra on the stage of Dragão Arena (Porto) and at the legendary venue in Barcelona Jazz Jamboree.

FS: Is there any personal curiosity you can share with us?

Kateryna Avdysh: The interesting thing is about my age. It's strange and funny to see people's reactions when they find out how old I am. I had a lot of experience, interesting stories and a way of talking about things that doesn't match my 20s.

FS: What are your hobbies outside of music?

Kateryna Avdysh: Outside of music, pole dancing is my hobby. It helps me stay in shape and gives me confidence.

FS: What are your future plans for your music career?

Kateryna Avdysh: This year will be important for me. I have demos of my first album that I want to release soon. After that I want to have many concerts. My goal is to sing my songs on the CCB and Casa da Música (Porto) stages, and also to have some collaborations with artists from around the world.

FS: What is your relationship with the public like?

Kateryna Avdysh: I love my audience. I am not just a singer who enjoys singing and being on stage. Every concert is a story that I tell. I live every moment on stage and sing as if it were the last time.

FS: Can you give us a "taste" of what to expect from your new album?

Kateryna Avdysh: The songs on this album were written over the last two years and reflect the changes I have been through. I have had different situations, so my music was changing with me. Now I feel like letting my bird fly and I hope to receive support from my audience, from the country where I live now, because it is very important to me. In my album I talk about home, which is inside our soul. I talk about my pain, about strength, about the importance of allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Also about being happy when everything around you tells you to “give up”. This album will be an important work for me. I will show myself in a different way and present myself as a strong person and artist. I hope people will relate to my lyrics and find some comfort in them.

FS: What inspires you to write your lyrics?

Kateryna Avdysh: Everything around me can be a source of inspiration. The lyrics of my songs are usually based on my personal experiences, my reflections on life and my observations of the world.

FS: Is there any message you would like to leave for young musicians who are starting their careers?

Kateryna Avdysh: Believe in yourself and your art. Never stop working towards your dreams. The road may be difficult and winding, but it is important to stay focused on your goal and always give your best. And most of all, have fun in the process. Music is a wonderful form of expression and should always bring you joy.

FS: Thanks for the interview, Kateryna. We can't wait to hear your album!

Kateryna Avdysh: Thank you. See you soon!

*Interview with the singer originally published at www.proart.art

See below one of the videos recorded by the artist:

You can find more information about Kateryna Avdysh at:

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