Nino Katamadze

One of the most distinctive voices to emerge from Georgia (Sakartvelo). Born in Bobokvati, Adjara, she she studied classical and folk vocal techniques at the Batumi Music Institute before forging a sound entirely her own—a boundary-defying synthesis of jazz, art- and psychedelic rock, and rich Georgian folk traditions. In 1999, Katamadze joined forces with guitarist Gocha Kacheishvili to form Insight, a collective that quickly became known for spellbinding, highly improvisational live performances across the post-Soviet region and beyond. Together, they released the acclaimed "color" albums—White, Black, Blue, Red, Green, and Yellow—each exploring a different emotional and musical territory. Singing predominantly in her native Georgian, Katamadze uses her voice as an instrument of wordless improvisation and scat. Her instinctive shamanic stage presence gives her performances an almost ritual quality, creating a direct metaphysical connection between the audience and the Absolute. For more than two decades Katamadze and Insight have performed at venues including Lincoln Center, the Clapham Grand, the Pallas Theater, and the Palace of Fine Arts, and have collaborated with artists including Bobby McFerrin and Richard Bona. Katamadze has also been an outspoken advocate for human rights, independence, democracy, and peace.