Iriao is Georgian ethno – jazz band founded in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Name Iriao comes from the common phrase “Iriao-uruao” of the famous Georgian jodling 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 debut performance took place in June 2013 in Tbilisi and received deserved recognition of the audience and mass media.
Iriao’s repertoire is based on Georgian authentic folk instrumental and polyphonic music, which has been recognized by UNESCO as being a masterpiece of oral immaterial heritage. However, the band is not aiming to modernize the unique Georgian polyphony music, but to saturate and adorn it with jazz elements.
Members of Iriao:
David Malazonia-keyboard, composer, Arranger
David Kavtaradze – Georgian folk instruments
Bidzina Murgulia- vocals
Levan Abshilava- drums, percussion
Shalva Gelekva – bass
George Abashidze- vocals
Mikheil Javakhishvili – vocals
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