PERFORMING PHENOMENON OF AN ETHNO-JAZZ SINGER MARYNA YURASOVA (MLADA)

Abstract

The article is based on a written interview conducted by correspondence between the author of the publication and the first Ukrainian ethno-jazz singer Marina Yurasova (stage name ‘Mlada’), and is devoted to revealing the phenomenon of the performing individuality of a pop singer, which lies in her self-identity, national roots and folklore. The article describes the stages of the formation of the singer’s individual performing style and reveals the peculiarities of the synthesis of ethnic, popular, and jazz music, which include characteristic features of modal, harmonic, melodic, thematic, and intonational features, the use of vocal techniques and techniques saturated with melismas, improvisational moments, emphatic accents, and reduction of words and syllables. The repertoire priorities of vocalists in the process of formation, which are based on Ukrainian folk song creativity combined with contemporary jazz and popular styles, are identified and analyzed. The author’s online vocal school “Learning to Sing” is considered, where Marina Yurasova shares her vocal and performing experience, which includes the best practices of modern vocal schools combined with traditional classical schools. The methodological aspects of her pedagogical activity are substantiated, which include the staging of singing breath, singing on support, the use of vocal resonators, singing in a speech position, working on intonation, familiarization with various musical styles and manners of singing, the use of vocal embellishments, sketch improvisations, melismas, riffs, etc. The algorithm of personal analysis of the phenomenon of the creative personality of a pop singer has been revealed, and the levels of creation of his individual performing style have been determined. The algorithm of personal analysis of the phenomenon of the creative personality of a pop singer has been revealed and the levels of creation of his individual performing style have been determined. The study found that contemporary Ukrainian pop vocal performance is open to experimentation, and that synthesis with jazz elements enriches and fills it with new types of interpretation and offers prospects for further musicological research.