Elina Duni was born in Tirana (Albania) in 1981 under the Communist regime. She is the daughter of an artist family. At five years old, she makes her debut on the stage as a singer. After the fall of communism, Elina Duni arrives in Switzerland in 1992 and settles down in Geneva with her mother. She studied composition and singing at the Hochschule der Kunste Bern in the jazz department, between 2004 and 2008. She also develops the Elina Duni quartet with Colin Vallon (piano), Patrice Moret (double bass) and Norbert Pfammatter (drums). This represents a return back to her musical roots, which is a blend of Balkan folk songs, jazz, and piano. Elina Duni Quartet’s first album, Baresha, is released in 2008 on Meta Records. “Lume Lume” follows in 2010. Both albums are praised by the Swiss, German and Austrian Presses and are followed up with European festivals and tours. Elina Duni appears in “Melanchology (Universal),” a 2011 album by Andre Manoukian, a french pianist and composer. Pro Helvetia Prizes and Stipends 2010: Pro Helvetia “Priority Jazz Encouragement 2010-2012” for Elina Duni Quartet. 2008 : HKB Stipend “Trachsel-Stipendium-Best-Berufseinstieg ” 2008 : “Coup de Coeur 2008” Prize from Kanton Bern 2007 : Friedl Wald Stipend from www.elinaduni.com
