Thana Alexa

Thana Alexa
Background information
Born (1987-03-19) March 19, 1987
New York City, U.S.
GenresJazz, jazz fusion, contemporary soul, Ethno jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, arranger, producer
Instrument(s)Voice, violin
Websitewww.thanalexa.com

Thana Alexa Pavelić (born March 19, 1987) is a jazz vocalist, composer, arranger, and producer. She was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album for her 2020 recording Ona.

Early life and education

Alexa's interest in music began at age three when she disappeared from a birthday party and was discovered in the basement playing melodies to simple songs on a toy piano.[1] She soon expressed a preference for the violin, and began taking lessons.[1] Although she began to sing during this period, she believed the violin to be her primary instrument and considered pursuing it vocationally.[1]

After elementary school, Alexa's family moved back to Croatia.[1] She began singing songs in English as a way of maintaining her connection to her mother tongue and her childhood in the United States.[1] In Zagreb, Alexa took voice lessons at the Rock Academy.[2] Musician and club owner Boško Petrović mentored her – she began attending regional jazz workshops and performing professionally, including at Croatian festivals.[1]

Alexa studied psychology at Northeastern University before transferring to the New School in New York City; she completed her psychology degree and received a fine arts degree in jazz performance.[2] She cites drummer Bernard Purdie as a mentor during this time.[1]

Career

Her first album as a leader, Ode to Heroes, was released by Jazz Village.[1][2] She appears on guitarist Gene Ess's album Absurdist Theatre.[3] Alexa has also collaborated with vibraphonist Christos Rafalides.[1] Alexa received a Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy nomination for her 2020 album Ona;[4] Regina Carter was also nominated for Best Improvised Jazz Solo from the album.[5]

During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, Alexa, vocalist Sirintip and saxophonist Owen Broder co-founded what Rolling Stone called the first "virtual jazz festival" and fundraising initiative of the pandemic, Live from Our Living Rooms, which helped facilitate grants to New York-based musicians.[6][7]

Discography

As leader

  • SONICA (InsideOut, 2022) - co-led group with Nicole Zuraitis and Julia Adamy
  • Ona (Self Release, 2020)
  • Ode to Heroes (Jazz Village, 2015)[2][8]

As guest

With Antonio Sanchez

With others

  • Nicole Zuraitis, How Love Begins (La Reserve, 2024)
  • Benjamin Koppel, The White Buses (Cowbell Music, 2023)
  • Rotem Sivan, Far From Shore (Sonder House, 2023)
  • Giraldo Piloto y Klimax, Mucho (Codex, 2022)
  • Vladimir Samardzic, Catching the Wind (1516237 Records DK, 2022)
  • Nicole Zuraitis, Wandering Hearts (Nicole Zuraitis, 2022)
  • Purbayan Chatterjee, Unbounded (Abaad) (Sufiscore, 2021)
  • Ernesto Cortazar Lara, Within These Walls (Thana Alexa / Ernesto Cortazar Lara, 2021)
  • Michael Olatuja, Lagos Pepper Soup (Whirlwind Recordings, 2020)
  • Max Esquivel, Tulips (2100492 Records DK, 2020)
  • Christos Rafalides, New Day for Marimba and Vocals (Emarel Music Inc, 2018)
  • Gene Ess, Apotheosis (SIMP, 2018)
  • Nicole Zuraitis, Long Meadow Vine (The Wine Song) [feat. Cyrille Aimée & Thana Alexa] (Nicole Zuraitis, 2017)
  • Gene Ess, Absurdist Theatre (SIMP, 2016)[3]
  • Gene Ess, Eternal Monolith (SIMP, 2015)
  • Gene Ess, Fractal Attraction (SIMP, 2013)[11]
  • Matija Dedic, Friends (Dallas, 2010)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Deluke, R.J. (April 20, 2015). "Thana Alexa: Singer and Instrument". All About Jazz. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e Staudter, Thomas. "Thana Alexa: Strategic Planner" (PDF). Downbeat Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Garutch, Sylvannia (September 16, 2016). "Gene Ess: Absurdist Theatre". Elmore Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  4. ^ "Thana Alexa". Grammy. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  5. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Thana Alexa Prepares Tour Of Two-Time GRAMMY-Nominated Album ONA". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  6. ^ Shteamer, Hank (March 27, 2020). "Bill Frisell, Chick Corea, Christian McBride Slated for Virtual Jazz Fest". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  7. ^ Goldsmith, Margie (June 22, 2020). "Master Jazz Musicians to Play Live in a Virtual Jazz Camp This July". Forbes. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  8. ^ Banks Weber, Carol (April 15, 2015). "No ordinary singer: Thana Alexa illuminates her place in 'Ode to' jazz heroes". AXS. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  9. ^ "Antonio Sanchez and Migration, Lines in the Sand". CAM Jazz. Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  10. ^ Chinen, Nate (June 8, 2015). "Review: Antonio Sánchez With 2 Albums, 'The Meridian Suite' and 'Three Times Three'". The New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  11. ^ "Gene Ess Fractal Attraction". Allmusic. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
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