Elina Duni

Elina Duni is a classically trained vocalist and composer who melds the folk music traditions of the Balkans and other European regions with jazz, blues, and other elements. It was while at university that she formed the Elina Duni Quartet with pianist Colin Vallon, bassist Patrice Moret, and drummer Norbert Pfammatter. She recorded Baresha, her debut album with the group, in 2007. In 2010 she followed it up with Lume Lume. Due to her association with Vallon, she garnered the attention of ECM's founder, Manfred Eicher; he signed her. Duni's label debut Matanë Malit (Beyond the Mountain), featured traditional songs of obscure and modern origins. She returned with Lost Ships in 2020, with collaborators Rob Luft, Fred Thomas, and Matthieu Michel. The lineup returned on 2023's A Time to Remember. In April 2026, the duo of Duni and Luft collaborated on Reaching for the Moon.