Artist description Coming from Dublin, Ireland, Zrazy are Carole Nelson (saxophones, tin whistle, keyboards) and Maria Walsh, (voice, bodhran). We’ve been playing together for eight years and have made three independent CDs. We are both working full time with Zrazy, having leaned long ago to live on tea and toast. We write our material, much of which is recorded in our small project studio, tour in Europe and America and keep going as an independent band. We’ve won national music awards in both Ireland and America, just recently the 2000 GLAMA award for Best Jazz. Our music has been described as eclectic - “Give It All Up” and “Permanent Happiness” ranged from techno-celtique to retro-pop to piano/voice torch songs. Our most recent CD, Private Wars, is a mellow jazz album of twelve original jazz compositions for which we received an Irish Arts Council Award for Contemporary Composition.

Music Style Vocal Jazz and World Fusion

Musical Influences Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordan, Jane Siberry, Everything But The Girl, Massive Attack, Me'shell Ndegeocello

Similar Artists kd Lang, Cassandra Wilson, Dusty Springfield, Abbey Lincoln

Group Members Maria Walsh (voice) and Carole Nelson (saxophone and piano). Joined on "Private Wars" by Myles Drennan (piano), Geraint Roberts (acoustic bass),and Andy Bold (drums)All programming on "Give It All Up" and "Permanent Happiness" by Carole and Maria.

Instruments Vocals, Alto & Soprano Sax, Piano, Double Bass, Drums

Albums Give It All Up, Permanent Happiness, Private Wars

Press Reviews THE IRISH TIMES, 5 March 1999 Zrazy: "Private Wars" (Alfi) This may be the single most sensuous, moody, set of love songs released by any Irish act this year. In fact, Private Wars is so low-down and dirty it sounds like it was recorded in bed. Songs like Remember (That You Did It First With Me) and Ecstasy certainly celebrate, in no uncertain terms, the delights to be discovered when a bed ain't used simply for sleeping. Wonderful stuff, with lyrics written mostly by Carole Nelson and then dipped in the honey that seems to permanently drip from singer/composer Maria Walsh's lips. Nelson also knows how to handle a saxophone. Beautifully. At this point in their career, the only thing we need to know is, do they deliver as musicians? On the strength of this album, a thousandfold. - Joe Jackson

Location Dublin, Ireland - Ireland

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