Elena Sonenshine

Singer, arranger, lyricist, composer. Born in Brno, after graduating from grammar school she moved to Prague, where she first graduated from the School of Social Law and then continued her studies at the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory.

Elena's work in the field of modern jazz dates back to 1992, when she started Prague jazz clubs as a guest singer with various trios and quartets. However, she soon formed her own band called Jocose Jazz with the instrumental line-up of guitar, vibraphone/piano, double bass and drums. This group mainly plays their own compositions, interspersed with classical standards in original arrangements, and jazz versions of folk songs.

In the Czech Republic, she recorded songs with Felix Slováček's big band, sent them to Boston University's Berklee College of Music, where Elena she received a scholarship to study music and singing. There she also took private lessons with Bob Stoloff, who worked in a quartet with Bobby McFerrin.

Elena's CD You Go to My Head was played on American radio stations and stayed in the top 50 jazz charts for 4 weeks CDs throughout the US. With the song You and the night and the music, she even pushed Diana Krall out of the charts for several weeks. In the Czech Republic, she then performed, for example, as part of the Jazz at the Castle series. She also gave a concert as part of the Prague Spring festival.