Lara Jai
“Lara's soprano soars over a rich tapestry of Celtic and Middle Eastern instrumentation.”
A troubadour from the very beginning, Lara’s music has always reflected her passion for exploring ancient lands and cultures. Her freshman album, Unlock the Mystery, features seven of her original compositions, a traditional song from Spain, and a Sanskrit chant. Lara co-produced the album with accomplished Balkan musician, Jesse Manno. It features traditional grooves by renowned tabla player Ty Burhoe, all manner of Turkish/Balkan lutes, flutes and percussion played by Jesse Manno, exotic cello utterances and gadulka by James Hoskins, Sandra Wong and Anthony Salvo on violin, Emily Bowman on viola, Susan Zevenbergen on harp, with Lara on vocals, Celtic harp, and Indian tamboura.
Nowhere is Lara’s musical expression more passionate than in her compositions about nature. She grew up on a horse property in Wyoming, and developed a keen eye and a humble respect for the land. This led to a successful career in wildlife conservation, in which she is still actively involved. As part of her personal journey, Lara spent seven years in semi-isolation in a cabin, tucked away in the Colorado mountains. This quiet space provided the inspiration for her new album, Unlock the Mystery.
Lara has been compared to legendary female artists Loreena Mckennitt, Joni Mitchell, and Enya. The “extraordinary clarity” in Lara’s classically trained voice and her deeply evocative lyrics lift the spirit. Her “love and joy comes through in a way that touches a deep part of [listeners].”
Lara is currently playing solo shows with her harp throughout the front range of Colorado, including house concerts. She is also performing with Balkan/Middle Eastern band Sherefe at larger venues.