WOMEN IN JAZZ: Alina Bzhezhinska, Reflections – Hip Harp Collective

Alina Bzhezhinska, (HipHarpCollective) creates a unique sound on the harp with layered effects and electronics, combining original works and covers to pay homage to some of jazz, funk and hip-hop’s greatest innovators. Throughout the record she draws from a variety of influences, including the likes of Dorothy Ashby’s ‘Afro-Harping’, Alice Coltrane’s spiritual outputs, Joe Henderson’s free-form jazz experimentation, 90s Acid Jazz and Trip Hop.

“Our latest album Reflections (BBE Music) is very vibrant and reflects directly on London’s multicultural community. We had so much fun making this recording – it truly built up our morale in the middle of the pandemic and I hope our fans will feel this energy too. For “Reflections” I tried to break from any stereotypes and limitations – what you hear is my own choice of sounds and influences, taken from the many mixtapes I’ve been making since I was a teenager. I put together the music I like to listen to when I am happy or sad, when I feel like dancing or meditating. The tunes we play are my own reflections on what I love the most – a free spirit, courage, innovation and all the beautiful things life gives us. I hope our music can reach people’s hearts and evoke all the spectrum of colours and emotions that only the arts can do.” – Alina Bzhezhinska

“Alina Bzhezhinska Quartet… throws a spellbinding party to awaken the senses” – London Jazz News

A.B. “…subverts notions of female harp players as “angels on earth playing soothing sounds” by weaving in Afrobeat, hip-hop and electronics.” – ES on EFG London Jazz Fest 2021

“Harpist Alina Bzhezhinska is becoming a significant presence across the entire European Scene” – Downbeat Magazine

“…Bzhezhinska shares with Alice (Coltrane) a mastery of the jazz harp.” – The Times

“Alina Bzhezhinska… a modern-day supremo…among the best contemporary harpists…” – Evening Standard