Blessed & Bewitched Maja Jaku

• 1 The Witch 07:04
• 2 I'm a Queen 07:28
• 3 Lonely Little Fox 04:49
• 4 Blessing Will Come 07:02
• 5 Never Let Me Go 05:24
• 6 Rituals 03:54
• 7 Everything Must Change 04:59
• Total Runtime 40:40

Info zu Blessed & Bewitched

Blessed & Bewitched is a deeply personal reflection of Vienna vocalist Maja Jaku's artistic spirit. Growing up immersed in the sounds of jazz with her trumpet player father, and later through studies with mentors at the Graz Conservatory—including Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Andy Bey and Jay Clayton—Jaku's art evolved through her life-long devotion to the jazz legacy continuum. With encouragement from drummer Johnathan Blake, Jaku assembled an extraordinary ensemble to mark this period of her path and recorded this, her fifth album, in New York City along with Blake, bassist Dezron Douglas, pianist Alan Bartuš, and trumpeter Michael Rodriguez. Co-producer/drummer Adrian Varady also performed on a track that he composed. Jaku invites listeners into this set of five original songs and two classics, providing a journey through a space of reflection, connection, and emotional honesty.

"Maja Jaku's voice radiates soulful grace and raw honesty—intimate, effortless, and full of depth. A sound that feels timeless, yet strikingly modern..." (Otmar Klammer, Austrian jazz journalist)

Maja Jaku, vocals
Michael Rodriguez, trumpet
Alan Bartuš, piano
Dezron Douglas, bass
Johnathan Blake, drums
Adrian Varady, drums, percussion

Recorded February 19-20, 2025 by Alex Conroy at The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn, NY
Mixed & mastered by Vlado Dzihan at Milkshop Mastering, Vienna, Austria
Produced by Maja Jaku & Adrian Varady

Maja Jakupovic
known artistically as Maja Jaku, is an acclaimed jazz and soul vocalist, composer, and respected university professor whose voice and artistry transcend cultural and musical boundaries. Born on October 24 in Kosovo into a family rich in artistic tradition, her extraordinary talent revealed itself early—by the age of seven, Maja was winning music festival awards, and by fourteen, she had already formed her first band. At eighteen, in the Yugoslav wars, she made a courageous and defining choice: to travel alone to Austria to pursue her dream of studying jazz. In 1991, Maja passed the fiercely competitive entrance exam for the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, where she studied under legendary jazz vocalists including Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, Andy Bey, and Jay Clayton. These formative years shaped her singular style—a sound rooted in deep emotional honesty, fearless improvisation, and technical brilliance.

"It was a joy to work with Maja. She is a fantastic singer with a beautiful and natural instrument. Her passion for music is at the highest level." Sheila Jordan

"Maja has an incredibly wide vocal range, high quality, and deep soul. Even when she's wrong—it sounds right." Andy Bey

"Your old teacher likes your record... especially Out of This World. How well you do the language and scat!!!! Now you are there, Maja, so relax and enjoy!!!! Just think—I remember when you were first day at school... and you declared: I am for jazz!!!!" Mark Murphy


Between 1991 and 1999, Maja toured across Europe with her jazz trio, earning recognition at major festivals and collaborating with the pioneering Austrian fusion band Attack. Her theatrical versatility was also evident through starring roles in the musicals Hair and Godspell at the Graz Opera House and Next Liberty Theater. In 1997, she took a decisive step forward by forming her first ensemble under her name, marking her formal debut as a bandleader on the European jazz scene.

After a brief pause to embrace motherhood, Maja returned in full force with her critically acclaimed debut album Talking Jazzik in 2002, released by Extraplatte Records in Vienna. Featuring Austrian jazz greats Fritz Pauer, Ewald Oberleitner, and Karlheinz Miklin, the album established her voice as a dynamic and intimate force in modern jazz. In 2005, she released Message on PG Records, a bold and forward-looking collection of original compositions and collaborations with musicians including Saša Mutić, Jure Pukl, Vanja Kevresan, and the celebrated American drummer Johnathan Blake.

Her artistic journey deepened further with The Universe Makes No Mistakes (2012), issued by the ATS Records. With a refined and introspective sound, the album featured long-time collaborator Saša Mutić, alongside Howard Curtis, Dusan Simovic, and Ivan Ivanov, and received praise for its spiritual depth and sonic elegance. In 2018, Maja's voice caught the attention of Grammy-nominated songwriter Iain Dench and hit-maker Sharon Vaughn, leading to a remarkable transatlantic collaboration. Within an hour of hearing her demo, they responded with five unreleased songs. One of these, "Cross My Heart," was released as a single under Universal Music, produced by Alex Deutsch, who also played drums. The recording featured a top-tier ensemble: Matthieu Michel (trumpet), Scott Kinsey (keyboards), and Stephan Kondert (bass), delivering a striking blend of modern soul and jazz.


Returning to her jazz roots, Maja released Soul Searching in 2022, again under ATS Records, recorded at Vienna's ORF Studios. The album brought together a masterful group including Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Thomas Kugi (tenor sax), Dusan Simovic, Joris Dudli, and Saša Mutić, creating a powerful statement of introspection, groove, and artistic identity. The record received wide international airplay and critical acclaim from Europe to Japan.

Now, in 2025, Maja unveils her most personal and ambitious project to date: Blessed & Bewitched, recorded at Bunker Studio in New York City. This all-original album is a fearless exploration of jazz's emotional and spiritual dimensions—raw, poetic, and transcendent. Leading a powerhouse lineup that includes Johnathan Blake (two-time Blue Note recording artist), Adrian Varady (Quincy Jones protégé), Michael Rodriguez (Grammy-winning trumpeter), Alan Bartuš (Herbie Hancock Competition semi-finalist), and Dezron Douglas (bassist for Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, and others), Maja brings her vision to astonishing life. The album is not just music—it is a declaration of authenticity, vulnerability, and uncompromising artistry.

"She is a 'singer's singer.' Her range spans swing, funk, gospel, and pop. Everything she executes is not only convincing—it is true." Howard Curtis


Beyond her rich discography and live performances, Maja Jaku is a revered educator, mentoring the next generation of musicians at institutions across Europe. Her legacy continues to grow—not only through her recordings and concerts, but through the lasting impact she makes as an artist devoted to expression, innovation, and the truth of music.

Whether leading a world-class ensemble, shaping the future of jazz education, or creating emotionally charged soundscapes in the studio, Maja Jaku stands as a singular voice in contemporary jazz—a voice of courage, beauty, and spiritual depth.

Dieses Album enthält kein Booklet