Name Iriao comes from the common phrase “Iriao-uruao” of the famous Georgian jodling singing style " Krimanchuli".

The artistic director and leader of the band is David Malazonia and its members are
musicians with sound experience in various directions of music. This distinctive style of jazz is a respectable collaboration between jazz and ethno folk music and has been kindly appreciated around the globe. D. Malazonia can be regarded as one of the first composers who have initiated
this particular direction of music in Georgia. Iriao’s distinct repertoire in overall is built on Georgian authentic folk ground, although its goal is not to modernize unique Georgian polyphony music (which has been broadly recognized by UNESCO as being a masterpiece of oral
immaterial heritage) but to saturate and adorn it with jazz elements. This synthesis is well introduced by Mr. Malazonia thought his special experience and respect of this music, and performed by band with much care.
Since their debute in 2013 Iriao has actively performed performance and conduct concerts around Georgia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Estonia, Polen, Ukraine UK and took part is several significant festivals including Borneo Jazz festival and Java Jazz festival.

“Iriao's blend of unexpected vocal techniques, Georgian polyphonic harmonies, traditional lutes adding exotic colour, a funky rhythm section, mesmerized me completely. It's not often one hears something new and wonderful”.

Jun-Lin Yeoh - Artistic Director ofBorneo Jazz and Rainforest World Music Festival

See more at: http://www.europejazz.net/iriao#sthash.Kjy5hio7.dpuf