Anastasijabiography
Anastasija Zvirbule was born in Moscow in 1983. All her childhood she lived in Riga, Latvia. Since her five she began to play the violin. Her first music school was in name of “Jazeps Medins” and her teacher was D. Kezbere. The first competition for young violinists was at her age of seven in name of “Talants Latvijai” (Talent for Latvia), where she got the Grand Prix.She was lucky with all the people around her by taking care of her development. Till her age of eleven Anastasija had seen most cities of Europe and Russia with the “String Ensemble” and the violin duo written by “A.S.Bach” concerto in D moll for two violins and off course her solo performances.
When she was sixteen years old something began to change with her. Something she was looking for that she didn’t knew before. But it definitely had to do with her musical understanding. It was a form of expression that she couldn’t reach in the art of classical music. Step by step she found out what improvisation on her violin could give her in musical, mental and spiritual richness. In this artform, she find out what her understanding is of completion. She could be her self. This art is called Jazz!
She explored new experiences, new joy of music and it developed also her character. Her lifestyle and opinion of music, changed. But Jazz violin wasn’t than and still is not the usual instrument. At that time, it was exactly what Anastasija liked, even if it sometimes gave struggles and difficulties. Being “the only one” gave moments of joy, but to be a Jazz violin player was not common to be involved in Jazz music traditions and band set-ups. Therefore Anastasija is grateful to those people, who helped in her carrier to understand herself at the right moment of time:
Talis Gzibovskis, the director of “Saulkrasti Jazz” festival LV, Nic Gotham, saxophonist and composer (Canada), Maris Drinkis, her first Jazz violin teacher LV, Alexander Sircov, her blues ensemble teacher, who also guided her with wise advices to be a good leader of a ”band” LV, Baiba Milzaraja, her accompanist LV, Girts Rozetals, her manager and the manager of “Anastasia’s Sound Factory”.
Two years of studying in Lithuania gave a big impact on her being and musical professionality. It was the first “real” Jazz music department coached by S. Giedraitis. She studied with her Jazz violin teacher – V. Mikeliunas. In this period she had possibilities to have a solo part in V. Cekasin “World Music Show”, “Nida’s Jazz Festival” and Vilnius Mama Jazz” festival. It also gave possibilities to jam together with Top World Jazz musicians.
Being away from home opened her search for originality and new ideas. She could concentrate how to complete her performing scales and try out more new different styles and sounds. At the same time it was the most active years of her bands and projects she had to run and develop. “Anastasia’s Sound Factory”, Based in Latvia:
A.Zvirbule – violin
B.Skurstene – vocals
H.Stenclavs – keyboards
M.Plume – guitar,
T.Poiss – bass
K.Grigalis – drums
DJ Krii – Vinyl, scratch