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Georgian jazz singer takes the prize in Monte Carlo

By Diana Dundua
Friday, February 22
Georgian singer Maia Baratashvili won the award for best female vocalist 2007 at the Monte Carlo International Jazz Awards.

Baratashvili submitted her latest album, “Maya,” to a board of European judges for consideration, and fought off competition from the UK, the US and Italy.

She will now perform a solo set at the awards gala in Monte Carlo.

“It will consist of three parts,” the singer explained. “An exhibition of modern French photographers with photos on jazz, then my solo performance and finally an after party attended by the Monte Carlo elite.”

Baratashvili has been a member of the Tbilisi Municipality Concert Orchestra since 1998 and has been performing jazz for the past 13 years.

“[She] never imitates anyone and creates her own style,” Iura Vachnadze of Radio Liberty said at a February 19 press conference in Tbilisi where Baratashvili discussed her award.

Gaioz Kandelaki, the founder of the Tbilisi Municipality Concert Orchestra, said she deserves her success. “Every concert for Maia is a huge responsibility and she puts all her strength into each of them,” Kandelaki remarked.