Fado, meu amor | JEZEBEL | Luís Maria Costa Hölzl | Emilian Mănica
Izabela Barbu, known on stage as JEZEBEL, was born on January 7, 1968, in Tulcea. Although she pursued a career in finance, graduating in financial-banking management and advancing to the position of bank manager, she courageously chose to give up this safe path to follow her true passion: music. Her passion for sound and artistic expression began early: at the age of 8, she listened with fascination to voices such as Carlos Gardel, Edith Piaf and Maria Tănase. Her father encouraged her to study an instrument, and for seven years she studied piano. Later, she took singing lessons and breathing techniques, which contributed to the development of an impressive vocal range.
At 40, she made a radical change and began a new artistic career, returning to her childhood passions – music and theater. At 49, she moved to Germany, and a year later she became an internationally accredited yoga instructor (Yoga Alliance International USA). Since her stage debut in the Bucharest club “Spice”, Jezebel has performed hundreds of concerts, in the country and abroad (France, Austria, Germany, Israel, Morocco, Turkey, Canada), both in public spaces and in private events. Her vast repertoire covers a wide range of styles: from traditional and processed folklore, to jazz, fado, chanson, Mexican music, interwar Romanian, sacred music and bel canto. Among his musical projects are: From Maria Tănase to Edith Piaf, through Little Paris, Historia de un amor, Bun îi vinu’ ghiurghiuliu, Interbelic Mood, Interbelic fusion rock, Tango del mar, Unirea – under the zodiac of Mary, queen of all Romanians, Hierogamie. Incantations.
She played in the theater shows “Mincinosul” by Carlo Goldoni and “Erotopoetica”, both directed by Toma Enache. On stage, she collaborated with artists such as Marino Castro and the Passione Quartet (Luna Tango), Ricardo Caria (Alma no fado), and with the National Radio Orchestra, in the tribute show dedicated to Maria Tănase, conducted by Tiberiu Soare. In addition to her artistic activity, Jezebel was actively involved in charity projects, supporting young artists with health problems and children in difficulty. In 2017, together with pianist Alexandru Burcă, she won First Prize at the Suzana Szörenyi International Lyrical-Dramatic Chamber Duo Competition. In 2021, she was awarded the “Confirmation of the Year” award at the 18th edition of the MUZZA – Jazz Awards 2021. Also in 2021, she released her first own compositions, which will be included on the Argentine tango album “Tango Irreal”.
Luís Maria Costa Hölzl was born on December 19, 1983, in Munich, Germany, and began studying guitar at the age of 10. Between 2001 and 2003, he was a scholarship holder for talented young people (“Jungstudent”) at the Munich University of Music (Hochschule für Musik München). From 2004 to 2012, he attended the Würzburg University of Music, studying guitar under the guidance of Professor Jürgen Ruck (Ensemble Modern), obtaining his diploma in 2009 and completing his master’s degree in 2012. A defining moment in his artistic training was the semester he spent in 2008 at the Superior Conservatory of Music in Salamanca (Spain), as part of the Erasmus program. Over the years, he has participated in numerous workshops with internationally renowned artists, such as Leo Brouwer (Cuba), António Duro (Spain), Victor Villadangos (Argentina), Pablo Márquez (Argentina) and Marcin Dylla (Poland). His artistic activity includes both appearances as a classical guitarist (at the Munich Opera and within the Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra) and involvement in contemporary music projects, using electric guitar and bass (Ensemble Modern, Ensemble Kontraste).
Since 2008, he has been part of the Fado Errático project of composer Stefano Gervasoni, performing with ensembles such as Ensemble Modern (2008), Nieuw Ensemble Amsterdam (2010), Ensemble Cairn (2015) and at the Mito Festival (2016). In parallel, he also collaborates with various fado and Brazilian music bands, playing Portuguese guitar – among which are Fado Sul, Trio Fado and Bavaschôro.
Emilian Mănica entered the world of music at the age of 6, choosing the piano as his first instrument of study, at the “Dinu Lipatti” National College of Arts in Bucharest. Over the years, he participated in numerous national and international competitions, as well as in olympiads, obtaining important prizes and the appreciation of renowned musicians. Later, he graduated from the National University of Music in Bucharest, specializing in classical accordion, under the guidance of lect. univ. dr. Fernando Mihalache. He gave recitals both as a soloist and in chamber music ensembles, also getting involved in contemporary music projects, in collaboration with the National University of Theatre and Cinematography (UNATC). One of his most remarkable achievements is his fourth place ranking at the prestigious “World Trophy” International Accordion Competition, a competition in which over 100 competitors from all over the world participated.
