Down to earth, yet imaginative and open minded SVETLANA PALADA believes that the "measure of success has always been about the integrity of the art". This 30 year old singer/songwriter was born in Osijek, but raised in Novi Sad. Growing up in a multicultural community where music was always around, she was hooked into singing even way before she picked up the mike.
The time was early 90’s when Svetlana walked out her college laboratory and quit Chemistry forever, following her dream, her greatest passion –entering the world of music.
Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, Billy Holliday, Aretha Franklin, Al Jerreau, Bobby McFerrin, Diana Krall, Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott they are all the great influences that have contributed to her musicianship.
Svetlana’s musical career began in 1996, when her singing potential was recognized by some fellow musicians that were already active on the club circuit of the local jazz scene. They invited Svetlana to form a band called “Colibri”, with whom she performed at numerous concerts and 1997 jazz festivals- including famous “Jazz time” in NS and prestige “Pepsi Sziget” in Budapest Hungary. “Colibri” was one of the first cover bands introducing Yugoslavian audience to a fresh, inspiring and unique- sounds of “acid jazz”.
With many appearances where she showcased her talents, Svetlana has made quite a name for herself. Invited by some of the NS most regarded musicians she continued her musical journey recording as a lead vocalist for Radio of NS and performing occasionally with their Big Band orchestra.
It was 1998 when Svetlana moved to Belgrade to attend classes in vocal improvisation and technique in newly opened jazz department at”Stankovic”. Entering the world of ear training and harmony, Svetlana’s hunger for knowledge led her to meet the legendary jazz singer-Nada Knezevic with whom she studied privately on a regular basis.
Svetlana’s irresistible appearance in 2000 on the prestige “Belgrade’s Spring Music Festival” results in winning a special jury music award for outstanding interpretation.
The very same year Svetlana performed at the summer music festival -”The scent of the Mediterranean” and continued delighting the jury over with her charm and talent winning 3 music awards: best interpretation, the song of the year and the best artist voted by audience.
Svetlana has graced many audiences performing on concerts, and in popular jazz clubs throughout Yugoslavia, Egypt and Norway where she shared the stage with many internationally known musicians. Over the years, her repertoire has included pop-style ballads, jazz and blues, funk, R&B and well known standards.
She also pursued a studio career working on many recording projects as jingle singer, while you can listen to her self- arranged background vocals on many songs and albums on the Yugoslavian contemporary-pop scene.
During 2004 Svetlana begins her collaboration with Yugoslavian most notable contemporary-pop artist -VLADO GEORGIEV.(go visit www.vladogeorgiev.co.yu)Touring as a live background vocalist, she experienced a wide range of stage opportunities.
All the experiences from Svetlana’s various surroundings encouraged her to absorb all the beautiful energies and focus on songwriting and self producing the vocals on her very own first album that is about to be realized in the nearest future.
Holding to an acoustic vibe, rich with passion -with no super star expectations Svetlana wants to make a music that bests represents her regardless what’s popular on the radio. Always with a message in her music, her live performances have a strong element of pure elegancy and sophistication.
Although she has already gained much experience in the musical world, SVETLANA PALADA continues on a sure and true journey towards new learning experiences and mastering her craft.
In july 2005, Svetlana was at prestige UMBRIA JAZZ FESTIVAL in Italy where she attended Berklee Summer school at Umbria jazz Clinics and worked with two great profesors Dennis Montgomery III and Donna Mc Elroy.
For the promotion of the EXIT festival 2005 Svetlana recorded radio and tv jingle wich was bradcasted on MTV and VH1.
Svetlana occasionally performing with prof. Alexandar Duin trio
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