Lena Kovačević was born in Belgrade in 1982. She completed Stanković Secondary Music School – piano department – in Belgrade, at the same time performing at various competitions and music festivals, including Exit in 2001. In 2006 she graduated from the Amsterdam Music Conservatory with a degree in Jazz Singing. She studied under eminent European professors and also participated in seminars held by Bobby McFerrin, Richard Bona, Mark Murphy and many others. During this period she focused special attention on music composition and writing lyrics. In 2003 she sang with Bajaga in the film The Professional. While in Holland, Lena collaborated for a number of years with one of the best jazz orchestras, the Royal Dutch Orchestra. She held a series of concerts in Holland and Belgium, the high point of which was her performance before Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. During a three-month tour with the Royal Dutch Orchestra, she also performed a medley of traditional Serbian songs. She performed as a soloist in a project by American bass player John Clayton (Diana Krall, Nina Simone), along with the Nigel Kennedy Quintet and the Al Di Meola Band. With the famous Belgian producer Buscemi (Blue Note) she recorded a version of the traditional Serbian song “Gusta mi magla padnala”, which was featured on his new album released by the EMI record label. A video for the track was also shot in Belgium. Lena recorded songs and participated in projects of musicians worldwide, while continuing collaboration with colleagues from Serbia, the most noted performances being those in Bitef Theatre, at the Days of Mokranjac Festival and at the Kolarac Concert Hall. During 2008, she began working in Belgrade with Australian producer Theodore Yanni on this album, intended for the Serbian and international market. The album was inspired by jazz and pop music, as well as by the unparalleled sound of Balkan music.
Official Web Site of Lena Kovacevic:
http://www.lenakovacevic.com/
