Press
Elena Dana is a singer-songwriter, a jazz vocalist, a vocal coach and a founder of Sing Jazz International teachers' collective.
Bringing the fusion of gypsy and jazz sounds with tongue-in-cheek humour to her original songs and adding the elegant style to the jazz standards somehow making them her own, Elena performs all over the world, sharing her passion and love for music in every place she goes.
Elena played a number of shows over the last fifteen years, including the Latitude Festival in 2016, 2015 & 2014 for the Dash Arts Producers of the World Music, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for Lach Antihoot in 2010, the Antifolk Festival in New York in 2008, in Goa India, Bonito Brazil and lovely San Francisco in 2007-2008. She toured around the UK and played in Oxford, Cambridge & Peterborough. Since 2007 Elena played at a number of London music venues including Union Chapel in Islington, Monto Water Rats in Camden, Rich Mix in Shoreditch, Charlie Wrights, Underbelly & Roadtrip in Hoxton, Ronnie Scott's in Soho, Spice of Life in Cambridge Circle, Arts Club in Notting Hill, Hootananny in Brixton, Betsey Trotwood in Clerkenwell, Queens Head in Angel and many more, working restlessly with unique London arts platforms and promoters. Elena had residencies at the Zenith Bar in Angel, George, and Vulture in Hoxton, Urban Bar in Whitechapel, and Mari Vanna in Knightsbridge. Elena continues to be a vibrant part of local community by sharing her knowledge on the craft of vocals in the city where she lives.
Yesterday I decided to visit the jazz vocals masterclass led by vocal coach Elena Dana and pianist Adam Bridges, hosted at the celebrated Premises Studios in Hackney, with a visiting tutor, a highly acclaimed singer-songwriter Norma Jean Martine.
I was curious because I wanted to explore new singing styles, am interested in jazz, and the line up of artists seemed intriguing. Not surprisingly, I found the class a really enjoyable and educational experience. We learnt the importance of warm-up exercises, and I noticed immediate results on the strength of my range and quality of the sound!
The atmosphere was warm and I felt really encouraged to experiment and give it my best. The work we did on how to lose yourself in a performance was brilliant for me as someone who deals with subtle levels of stage discomfort.
I also loved the songs we practised, two of my old-time favourites, "I'm Putting all My Eggs in One Basket" and "I'm Feeling Good". The intimate class size was perfect for individual feedback, and everyone got to know each other.
It was incredible to be able to sing with professional accompaniment and I thought the tips about stage presence and the music industry from professional musicians were fascinating too!
Elena's experience in vocal tuition was evident in her patience and charisma as a teacher and her exceptional singing ability was a truly motivating testament to the value of training.
If you have any interest in singing or just fancy trying something new and having fun then I would thoroughly recommend you go to this!
Testimonials from students"This workshop made me understand how blocked I was before, it really balanced not only my voice - but also my soul." Dancer
"A good friendly Masterclass with an excellent visiting singer/songwriter with a fab voice. Very comprehensive teaching with good follow up too!" Writer
"I've never been in the recording studio before and the novelty of it and the prestige of the Premises studios was really in the air! It was a treat to practice there, and to see the demonstration of vocals that nearly took the roof off!" Singer
Photo credits Alizée Ochoa, London 2015
New York 2010
Scarlet Girl EP Review
Thursday, 27 June 2013
'Scarlet Girl EP' by Elena Dana - A review by Joe Gardner
Elena Dana, born and raised in the Ukraine but now as firm a pillar of the UK acoustic scene as anyone noteworthy, blends traditional Russian folk music with the stylised, New York 'Anti-Folk' movement of recent years.Her four-track EP Scarlet Girl is, despite its brief runtime, an expertly compiled spectrum of her talents, influences and styles. While these songs really demand to be heard live (Dana's stage presence is impeccable and her mix of originals and haunting, Russian ballads is always an atmospheric and special experience to behold), this offering does plenty of justice to them.Aesthetically, title track Scarlet Girl is the EP's biggest triumph, and is also the most indicative of Dana's Russian influences; the inclusion of a number of percussion instruments and background vocals compliment the brooding, gypsy-folk guitar playing and lend something of a singalong quality to the beautifully simplistic lyrics. Dana's ability to create a memorable, infectious chorus without words is on full display here.Parallel Lives is whimsical, romantic and bouncy. With lyrical content aping a stream of consciousness - the protagonist internally wonders how things would have been with a would-be romantic partner had she acted sooner upon their paths crossing - the piece begins as a lingering, heartfelt love song but soon detours into one of Dana's trademark toe-tapping, alt-pop verses. She takes the reins of her Anti-Folk roots and runs them effortlessly into her unique Eastern style, creating something extremely memorable before blindsiding the listener with a moving, powerfully-delivered chorus.The sunny, spritely It's Not About the Bike has echoes of Regina Spektor; Elena Dana paints the scenario described, singing 'Brum Brum Brum' amidst fond recollections of early childhood and learning to ride a bicycle for the first time. The fresh, summery inflection to the song would raise a smile through any mood and it provides the heights of this EP's amicability.However, it is My Life With You that is the runaway highlight of Scarlet Girl. A bittersweet, melancholy and haunting celebration of life, dreams and beloved pets, My Life With You is Elena Dana's Magnum Opus. The emotionally-charged lyrics are moving beyond compare, the persistent minor key of the guitar work is soul-penetrating and the whole product is beautifully iced by the EP's reverberated production values - more of a triumph here than on any other track. The song really has to be heard to be believed.
Scarlet Girl is warm, likeable and devoid of pessimism even in its most melancholy moments. It is a postcard to love, life and fond memories that is surpassed only by the incredible live performances of its scribe.
Elena Dana performs regularly in and around London.Scarlet Girl and other works can be heard on all digital platforms including Soundcloud and Spotify.