Anna Koroleva

Anna Koroleva is a jazz saxophonist, singer, and composer. She was born in Krasnodar, Russia, in April 1980 to the family of musicians. Having an exquisite ear for music, she began playing the piano accompanying her mother since she was four. She was given a Glen Miller's record for her fifth birthday. This was her first introduction to jazz.
After graduating from a musical school (piano) and musical college (saxophone), she continued her education in Maymonid State Academy, Moscow, where she first studied at the Conservatory Department (majoring in jazz improvisation) and later accomplished postgraduate course. At the same time she was studying classical composition. At present she is an Instructor at her alma mater. She also fulfilled an acting technique course.
Anna has been in jazz since 1998. Her first appearance took place in combo-projects of Evgeniy Serebrennikov, a famous Novosibirsk pianist.
Anna Koroleva presented her debut solo program, made up of her own compositions, in "Jazz Art-Club", Moscow (producer - A.Eidelman).
In 2000, together with her quartet she debuted at the International Jazz Festival - "Jazz at the Hermitage Garden" (producer - Michael Green). In the Festival preview on television Yuri Saulsky, the Head of Moscow Jazz Engagement, presented her to the audience as "a discovery of the season."
Her follow-up appearances included club and philharmonic performances, festivals, Russian and international tours, as well as participation in various projects with such musicians as Jimmy Heath, Christian McBride, Garry Barts, Dennis Rowland, Vladimir Chekasin, Igor Butman, Hubert Laws, Carmen Lundy, Adam Nussbaum, Paul Bollenback, Bobby Watson, Daniil Kramer, Sergei Manukyan, Alex Rostotsky and others.
Anna Koroleva's performing style is marked by special improvisational freedom and powerful energy. Her major instrument is alto saxophone, but she also sings (mastering vocal styles of various jazz epochs and using scat) and plays keyboard instruments.
Her encounter with maestro Vladimir Chekasin, a world-known musician and an outstanding teacher, plays a special role in the life of Anna Koroleva. Evidently, he became her principle Teacher. And their joint performances on the Central House of the Artists stage, recording music for movies, tours, and concerts lead to the genesis of a special improvization partnership, that is always apeals to the audience and musicians.
Professional development of Anna was also nurtured by interaction with Aleksey Kozlov - a legendary bandleader of "Arsenal" and a treasury of valuable experience and musical intelligence.
In August 2004, once again Anna Koroleva successfully appeared with her sextet at the Seventh International Festival, "Jazz at the Hermitage Garden", in Moscow (producer - Michael Green), presenting her program entitled "Plays with Time". Preparing for his performance Dennis Rowland (USA) - he worked with Count Basie - heard Anna's performance and invited her to play together a well-known jazz standard accompanied by Estonian Big Band.

In September 2004, as a participant of the Open World Russian Leadership Program she accomplished professional training at Dave Brubeck Institute, USA, and took part in Monterey Jazz Festival, one of the most prestigious jazz festivals in the world.

Tours with Daniil Kramer, a piano virtuoso and producer, are of great importance to Anna Koroleva. The experience of philharmonic concerts and festivals in Russian regions is an important component of Anna's professionalism.
Her solo performances with KREMLIN Chamber Orchestra (whose programs are the combination of jazz and classical music) represent a new interesting area of focus to Anna. The Art Director is Misha Rakhlevsky.
A quirk of Anna's artistic fate came as Anna's meeting with "Bely Ostrog" (Two Siberians) Duet (www.twosiberians.com). Several joint performances with Artem Yakushenko and Yury Matveev Several joint performances with Artem Yakushenko and Yury Matveev demonstrated a special energetic accord of the musicians, and outlined perspectives for further cooperation.