Musicians

Vladimir Demyanov is one of Russia's leading blues guitarists, hailing from Yekaterinburg. As the leader of the band Blues Doctors, he has firmly established himself as a prominent figure on the Russian blues scene. His musical journey began in his youth, and over the decades, he has evolved into a distinguished artist. His style is a powerful blend of modern blues-rock and traditional blues, captivating audiences with its raw energy.
In 2011, Vladimir won the Grand Prize at a guitar competition organized by Gibson during the "Music-Moscow" exhibition. This achievement marked a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his reputation as a world-class guitarist. Critics praised his unique approach to sound, playing technique, and musical expression, setting him apart from many other contenders.
The band Blues Doctors, founded in the mid-1990s, quickly gained recognition for their energetic performances and Demyanov's charismatic leadership. The group has released several successful albums, including Blues Doctors (2005), Acoustic Gentlemen (2009), Electric Gentlemen (2014), and Copper Mountain Blues (2016). Their most recent single, "Drive You Home", was released in 2018, adding to their rich musical legacy.
Vladimir Demyanov is also known for his international collaborations, most notably his work with the legendary Irish guitarist Gary Moore. Their joint performances, including participation in one of Moore's final tours, became a landmark moment in Demyanov's career, placing him among the top blues musicians of the modern era.
On stage, Vladimir captivates audiences with his natural charisma and passion for the music. His guitar playing combines virtuosity with a deep understanding of blues tradition, making his performances unforgettable. Blues Doctors continue to be a symbol of high-quality blues-rock, both in Russia and internationally, regularly performing at major music festivals.

Alexander Bulatov is a distinguished jazz bass guitarist and double bassist from Yekaterinburg, recognized as one of the leading musicians in his genre. His musical career began at a young age when he enrolled in a pop music studio and mastered the bass guitar. By the age of 15, he had joined the jazz ensemble Open Sound, which gave him a powerful boost for further development in the world of jazz.
Bulatov actively participates in various musical projects, including his own bands BassBulatovBand and Old Fashioned Trio. He has also collaborated with renowned jazz musicians on the international stage, performing alongside stars such as George Cables and Bobby Watson. His participation in major festivals like the Koktebel Jazz Festival and Usadba Jazz further demonstrates his high level of professionalism and demand in the music scene.
In addition to performing, Alexander Bulatov continues to hone his skills through session work and by developing new projects that broaden his creative scope. His mastery of both the bass guitar and double bass, along with his multifaceted approach to music, has made him a key figure in modern Russian jazz.

Diana Polenova is a musician who challenges music critics. She doesn't fit into stylistic classifications, as her work transcends genres and styles. A "no-frame" format is something incompatible with the concepts of "career" or "job." She breathes jazz, loves rock, writes music and poetry, and teaches young talents. The last thing this musician wants to see in chronicles is a dry history of her musical formation: education, awards, statuses. Everything's fine — higher education, hands in place, ears working. But that's not what really matters.
At 17, Diana Polenova became the lead singer of the Ural Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Nikolai Baranov, the "godfather" of Ural jazz, and also the first soprano in the vocal group Crystal Chorus, where she had long dreamed of being. Since the early 2000s, her career shifted to Moscow. She started with vocal groups like Cool & Jazzy and then co-founded the a cappella group A'cappella ExpreSSS. This genre — a cappella, world tours, elite art, and high ambitions. First soprano, first major successes, recognition by New York Voices, The Real Group, and awards from Ward Swingle of The Swingle Singers.
For Diana Polenova, music is not just a profession. She finds like-minded people worldwide. Among her projects are collaborations in Andrey Makarevich's jazz projects (Jazz Transformations, Yiddish Jazz), the fusion and rock band M-FACE, and working with Leonid Agutin's group Esperanto during tours in Switzerland, Germany, Russia, and Cuba. Performing with musicians like Chuck Loeb, Al Di Meola, Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep), Vladimir Presnyakov Sr., and Sergey Manukyan were real gifts of fate for her.
Festivals, concerts, albums — Diana's discography includes both solo and collaborative projects. These include recordings with STARBAST, A'cappella ExpreSSS, M-FACE, as well as her own work. A particularly notable project is Children's Songs for Adults: Butterflies, created in collaboration with pianist Evgeny Borets. The album, recorded at Mosfilm Studios in 2015, resonated deeply thanks to the participation of significant figures from contemporary music.
The children's concert project Jam Juniors, initially created for musicians' children, has grown into an educational platform, offering training, career guidance, voice recovery, and support for young artists. The project has no borders or limits, and its graduates continue their artistic journeys.
But the true achievements of a musician are not trophies or diplomas. They are the encounters with people who help you understand how to make music, not just generate clicks.
The STARBAST project holds a special place in Diana Polenova's creative journey. Over 20 years, this musical saga has proven its relevance. Diana takes pride in being the face and voice of the project, staying true to her path and inspiration. STARBAST is a space where everything is possible: realizing creative fantasies and even embodying the avatar of a blue dragon.
Diana Polenova's music is free from genre constraints and stylistic boundaries. As she says: "In music, you can stay true to yourself, breathe freely, and draw inspiration from above, without the need to create a product for its own sake. We simply breathe this way."

Ilya Makarov is a jazz pianist and keyboardist from Yekaterinburg, and one of the prominent figures on the local jazz scene. He leads the ensembles Trio Gurchika and Mobi-j, which include some of the leading jazz musicians of the Ural region. Makarov actively performs at renowned jazz venues, including the "EverJazz" club, where he showcases both original compositions and unique arrangements of well-known jazz standards.
Ilya is known for his profound musical sensitivity and skill, as well as his participation in numerous projects with leading Russian and international musicians. His ensembles frequently perform at major jazz festivals and club concerts, where they exhibit virtuoso performances and a stylish blend of classic jazz with contemporary musical trends.
Ilya Makarov collaborates actively with musicians from other cities and countries, reflecting his dedication to international musical endeavors and his desire to expand his creative horizons.

Alexey Mogilevsky is a prominent figure in Russian rock, whose musical career is closely tied to legendary Ural bands. As a saxophonist and keyboardist, he played a key role in shaping the distinctive sound of Nautilus Pompilius and Urfin Juice, becoming one of the leading musicians of the "Sverdlovsk wave." His melodic saxophone parts not only added romantic depth to the songs but also became an essential element of Nautilus's signature style.
After the disbandment of Nautilus Pompilius in 1997, Mogilevsky continued his creative journey as an arranger and composer, working on various musical projects for television and cinema. He remains actively involved with renowned musical groups, contributing to new albums and performances.
In 2014, Alexey revived his band Association, presenting both new works and songs from earlier albums such as "Ugol" and "Kaleidoskopia". In addition, Mogilevsky composed music for several television programs, films, and series, as well as created musical intros for major national TV channels.
Beyond his musical career, Mogilevsky was the author and presenter of the radio series "Touring Tales", offering a unique insider's perspective on the lives of popular Russian rock bands.

Irina Makarova is a distinguished jazz vocalist and actress from Yekaterinburg, whose work has gained recognition both in Russia and internationally. She is the lead soloist at the Sverdlovsk State Academic Musical Comedy Theatre and regularly performs at the EverJazz jazz club in Yekaterinburg, where she delights audiences with both popular jazz standards and her own original compositions.
Irina received a solid musical education, graduating from the Tchaikovsky Music College in Yekaterinburg, specializing in pop and jazz vocals, and later continued her studies at the Ural State Pedagogical University. Throughout her career, she has earned numerous prestigious awards, including a gold medal at the Delphic Games and the Bravo! Award for her outstanding performances in musical theater.
In addition to her solo career, Irina actively collaborates with the renowned Platon Gazeleridi Quintet, delivering captivating jazz programs that appeal to a wide audience. Her deep understanding of music and emotional intensity on stage immerse listeners in a unique atmosphere during each performance, making her one of the standout figures in the modern Russian jazz scene.
Irina also dedicates time to teaching, helping young musicians develop their jazz vocal skills and unlock their creative potential.

Artem Ivanov is a talented drummer from Yekaterinburg, known for his unique style of drumming. His musical career spans a wide range of genres, from classic jazz to experimental music. Thanks to his skill and deep musical intuition, Artem has become a sought-after musician, participating in numerous jazz and experimental projects.
Artem Ivanov regularly performs with various jazz ensembles, most notably in Yekaterinburg's "EverJazz" club, where his technical and expressive drumming has earned high praise from both fellow musicians and audiences alike. He is also involved in more experimental ventures, playing in ensembles like The Other Orchestra, where he blends elements of trip-hop, electronic music, and jazz.
Artem is a frequent participant in jam sessions and concerts, collaborating with leading musicians from Yekaterinburg. His drumming is distinguished by precision and elegance, making him one of the most intriguing and versatile drummers on the contemporary Russian music scene.

Maria Knutsson is a Swedish singer and lyricist, born on December 30, 1971, in Malmö. She grew up in Kalmar and on the island of Öland. After completing high school with a focus on opera at Cathedral School in Växjö, Maria pursued further musical education at Kulturama and the Music Conservatory in Geneva, followed by opera training at the Göteborgsoperan.
Since 2005, Maria has been the vocalist for the modern version of the dance band Candela, which also competed in SVT's Dansbandskampen in 2009. She has collaborated extensively with Melodifestivalen-winning songwriter Marcos Ubeda, writing lyrics for several of his projects. In 2011, she released a jazz mini-album in collaboration with the Billy Hail Quartet, further demonstrating her versatility as a vocalist.
In addition, since 2014, Maria has been performing with the Good Times Band, with whom she recorded two albums: "Can Anyone Explain?" and "Passion". She also stars in several focused music programs, where she narrates and sings, including programs about Billie Holiday and other jazz icons.
Maria gained additional fame as the winner of Miss Öland in 1995 and through her appearance in the Swedish reality show "Mamma byter bo" in 2011, which introduced her to a wider audience in Sweden​.