# Interview with Maja Jaku: Blessed & Bewitched: Honour the jazz language, but  also let in neo-soul, modern jazz, funk … Video, new CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2025/10/24/maja-jaku/
- Published: 2025-10-24T10:44:49+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Written interview with vocalist Maja Jaku — Blessed & Bewitched․ By the way, today
is her birthday, on which occasion we congratulate him and wish him all the success
and great stages, also through our mediation.**

**Jazz Blues European Union: – Thank you for taking the time to have this interview
with Jazz Blues EU. Tell us about your music. When did you start performing?**

**Maja Jaku: – **Thank you for inviting me — it’s an honour to speak about my music
for Jazz Blues EU. I grew up in a musical family, so music has been part of my life
from the start. I began performing very young: by the age of 15 I was already playing
with local bands, and over time I moved more and more into jazz ensembles. From 
those early local gigs to jazz stages, performing has always felt like the most 
natural way for me to express myself.

**What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?**

I was born in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, and I always consider it my hometown. 
That city has a beautiful, living musical tradition and it gave me my first musical
experiences and early collaborations with local musicians. Those roots — the sounds,
the people, the first stages — shaped my sensibility and stayed with me throughout
my career.

**What performers have been your inspiration?**

My inspirations are both instrumentalists and singers. I grew up listening to Blue
Note records through my father, who is a jazz trumpeter. The first record that really
inspired me toward jazz was Freddie Hubbard’s Super Blue. I’ve also been deeply 
inspired by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, and Lee Morgan. As 
far as singers go: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan — and mentors and role models 
like Sheila Jordan and Betty Carter. Andy Bey and Mark Murphy’s music have also 
been important influences in my development.

**What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s
music industry?**

The biggest challenge is the perseverance it requires — the constant love and effort
you must put into your art. Being independent demands a huge amount of discipline,
sacrifice, and belief in yourself. There’s an inner voice that keeps us going, and
that willpower is what shapes us as artists and as people.

**What do you base your success on?**

I base my success on hard work, great sacrifices, and a deep belief in myself and
in the music. It’s not a short path — it’s steady, persistent work, and staying 
true to what you want to say through music.

**Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians?
How does it influence your creative process?**

Collaboration has given me so much. I’ve worked with inspiring musicians and mentors,
notably Andy Bey, who influenced me greatly. For this record I had the privilege
to work with Jonathan Blake, Dezron Douglas, Michael Rodriguez, and the talented
young musicians Adrian Varady and Alan Bartuš. Playing with such committed, creative
people expands my palette — it pushes me to take risks and to open new musical doors.
Collaboration feeds my creative process: ideas grow, breathe, and transform when
shared.

**What was your latest musical release?**

My latest release is the album Blessed & Bewitched, released by Origin Records (
Seattle) on October 17.

**Do you have any news to share? Could you share the story behind your latest new
CD Maja Jaku — Blessed & Bewitched? What inspired its creation?**

This record came from a desire to leave my comfort zone and realize a long-held 
dream: to come to the United States and record with musicians I deeply admire. The
experience of recording in New York was magical. We recorded at The Bunker Studio,
and the environment, the players, the energy — everything was on point. I was able
to give a completely authentic part of myself without effort; the sessions felt 
true and alive. A big part of the inspiration came from Adrian Varady, who contributed
two compositions to the album — The Witch and Lonely Little Fox. Adrian’s voice 
as a composer and performer added a special spark to the project. The whole record
grew from that collaboration and from the impulse to create something honest and
heartfelt.

[**Buy from here – New CD**](https://originarts.com/)

[[

**How does your latest album fit into your creative path? Is this a goal you wanted
to achieve?**

This album fits perfectly into my creative path. It’s one of the goals I wanted 
to achieve: as a woman born in Kosovo who has lived in Austria for 35 years, to 
go to America and record at the level I imagined for this music. In many ways it
feels like a first album because everything went the way I had always dreamed — 
artistically and personally. It marks a milestone that I’m deeply proud of.

**How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes
or emotions you tend to explore in your music?**

My songwriting is driven by honesty, faith, and spirituality. I write from autobiography—
from my personal world and cosmos. Themes I explore often include empathy, deep 
emotions, real-life experience, and the search for meaning. I write about what moves
me internally: truth, vulnerability, and the connections that bind us.

**As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom
and commercial appeal?**

I try to stay open-minded and respectful of jazz tradition while allowing modern
influences to come through. A good balance is key: honour the jazz language, but
also let in neo-soul, modern jazz, funk, and even hip-hop elements when they feel
right. I believe that openness and authenticity help reach listeners without compromising
the artistic core.

**What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting
with your audience?**

Technology and social media are real wonders. I’m also an educator at Jam Music 
Lab in Vienna, and my students have taught me a lot about how to approach technology
and social platforms. I listen to them and use what they show me — they’ve been 
a big part of how I’ve adapted to modern promotion and audience engagement.

**Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had
a lasting impact on you and your music?**

One unforgettable experience was a jazz festival in Vienna — it was exceptional 
in atmosphere and audience, and it left a lasting impression. Another meaningful
time was touring in Serbia and Austria with Jonathan Blake and Jure Pukl. I also
recall special moments sharing the stage with the late trumpeter Jim Rotondi, who
is sadly no longer with us. Those performances were deeply magical and formative—
his artistry, warmth, and spirit continue to inspire me.

**In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape
of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?**

I’m a bit old-school — I was born in 1971 and I remember the thrill of buying CDs
and records. That said, I accept and adapt to new realities. Streaming is the new
landscape and it’s important for visibility, but I still cherish the tactile experience
of listening to a CD at home. Adapting hasn’t always been easy, but I embrace the
change while keeping some traditions close.

**Musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage
with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music?**

I try to be warm and present with my fans. Live concerts are where I usually connect
deeply — I always take time to talk with people after shows, and I answer messages
when I can. Accessibility and genuine conversation are, to me, the keys to building
a real community.

**How can fans find you? Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.**

Fans can find me at my website: majajaku.net, and on Instagram @majajaku. Thank 
you for your time and for listening — I hope my music reaches hearts and creates
moments of reflection and joy. I’m grateful for every listener, and I look forward
to sharing more music and moments with you.

**By Olivia Peevas**

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