Do'a - higher grounds [CD]

Do'a is a vocalist, pianist, guitarist, composer and mathematician lauded for her emotional integrity and depth of musical expression, both original and arranged. Now, following her artist-in-residency at The Music Center at Strathmore, she steps forth to record her debut album: higher grounds. A tribute to the interconnected nature of the human spirit, the record draws on Do'a's Albanian upbringing, combining elements of Albanian folk music with jazz, samba and Latin American rhythmic traditions to create a holistic expression of the artist's identity and passions.The overall vivacity and energy of this record despite it's long-distance collaborative nature is a testament both to Do'a's masterful touch as a bandleader, and to the musicianship of the personnel on this album. In addition to Do'a herself on vocals, guitar, and piano, higher ground features an eclectic lineup of Shai Maestro (piano), Nando Michelin (piano), Harold López-Nussa (piano), Mayquel Gonzalez (trumpet), Julio Cesar Gonzalez (bass), Ruy Adrian López-Nussa (percussion), and Shango Dely (percussion). In addition to the performance contributions, these remote recordings were pieced together in Albania by sound engineer Klodian Qafoku. Above all else, Do'a describes the relationship with the musicians on this record as "flexible, creative, and easy to work with," and praises their ability to create interactive, genuine music despite the lack of an in-person, synchronized performance.