These are interpretations of striking emotional accuracy, not only in the voice itself, but in the articulation of the texts. Each lyric feels considered, inhabited, and understood. In this sense, Anna aligns herself with a lineage of classic jazz interpreters, from Sheila Jordan to Carmen McRae, artists for whom emotional truth mattered more than stylistic display.
Born in the Soviet Union about 18 hours from Moscow, a young Anna was enthralled with horses. Representing strength, movement, and something deeply poetic, those qualities and the feelings imbued accompanied her through her childhood, her studies at the music conservatory in St. Petersburg, and then her relocation to Italy in 2014. There she met jazz legend Sheila Jordan who encouraged her musically and later prompted her to make the move to New York. Following her debut album for the Japanese Venus label with her Italian group, Anna made her move in 2017, establishing herself with a New York produced 3rd album for Venus with top musicians from the scene. Reach for Tomorrow is a story relating to that long journey, a collection of moments and chapters, deeply personal in content and in the interactions with this revered collection of guitarists she chose to share these intimate conversations with. Along for the ride of course is her elegant and noble spirit animal, always there to inspire her dreams.
"Her vocals betray a knowing and aware character not afraid to show its wounds in its vulnerability, while telegraphing a warning to the listener that it has been all places and knows all things." All About Jazz
Track Listing:
1 Dancing in the Dark 3:43
2 You and the Night and the Music 2:40
3 Who Can I Turn To? 3:02
4 Invitation 1:59
5 All or Nothing at All 2:36
6 Right from the Start 2:33
7 What Now My Love? 4:12
8 Vacation from the Blues 4:29
9 Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams 2:45
10 So Many Stars 2:52
11 Whistling Away the Dark 4:23
12 Reach for Tomorrow 2:55
Performers:
Anna Kolchina - vocals
With Guitarists:
Paul Bollenback - electric (9,11)
Peter Bernstein - electric (3,4,5)
Ilya Lushtak - electric (1)
Romero Lubambo - acoustic (7,10)
Russell Malone - electric (8)
Yotam Silberstein - acoustic (2,6), electric (12)
Production Info:
Produced by Anna Kolchina
Recorded Feb. 2023 - Jan. 2025 by Dave Darlington (2-12)
at Bass Hit Studio, New York
Recorded on July 15, 2021 by Graham Hawthorne (1)
at OneTwoSeven Studio, New York
Mixed and mastered by Dave Darlington
at Bass Hit Studio, New York
Photography by Tanya Magnani
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of Reach for Tomorrow
Jazz Messengers (Barcelona) (Editor)
Reach for Tomorrow is a lyrical and emotionally resonant statement from vocalist Anna Kolchina, tracing a long personal and artistic journey across continents and cultures. Born in the Soviet Union, trained at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and ultimately shaped by her move to New York at the encouragement of jazz legend Sheila Jordan, Kolchina b ...
Paris Move (Thierry De Clemensat)
From Saint Petersburg to Smalls: How Anna Found Her Voice in New York Jazz
On a cold February day in 2017, a young singer arrived in New York for the first time. She had never been to the United States before. Still carrying her suitcase, she went straight from the airport to Smalls Jazz Club, the legendary Greenwich Village basement that has la ...
Bman's Blues Report (Editor)
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Reach For Tomorrow, by Anna Kolchina and it's hauntingly elegant. Opening with Schwartz and Dietz song, Dancing In The Dark, Soviet born, Anna Kolchina quietly controls your breath with her easy music gait. Accompanied by Ilya Lushtak, a beautiful opener. Peter Bernstein lends his cultur ...
