Lela Tsurtsumia

Lela Tsurtsumia
ლელა წურწუმია
Lela Tsurtsumia; ლელა წურწუმია
Background information
Born	12 February 1969 (age 55); Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union
Origin	Georgia
Genres	pop, soul, folk, world music
Occupation(s)	Singer, actress
Instrument	Vocals;
Years active	1991–present

Lela Tsurtsumia (Georgian: ლელა წურწუმია) (born 12 February 1969) is a Georgian pop singer and actress. Born and raised in Tbilisi, she graduated in Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film University. She sings in Georgian, Mingrelian and Laz languages.

Life and career

Lela Tsurtsumia was born in Tbilisi on February 12, 1969. Her father Ludoviko Tsurtsumia was a physicist and lecturer, and her mother, Nino Lomtatidze, a foreign language specialist. She has been active in music since the age of 5, and has been working with vocal teachers. Theatrical education helped her to create an individual musical image and manner.

In 1996–1999, Lela became a singer in ensemble "Taigouli". She start performing songs at the restaurant "Europa" Where she met her future manager and husband Kakha Mamulashvili.

Her concert in 2000 was the first show concert in Georgia held by Georgian a singer.^[1]

In 2002, Tsurtsumia had another successful show at Tbilisi Sport Hall, with more than 25,000 spectators attending the show, arecord. Another record was set in 2004, when she released the popular album Suleli Tsvima (Crazy Rain), which sold more than 60,000 copies in Georgia. Tsurtsumia also has sold more than 10,000 albums abroad, in Israel, the U.S., and Russia.

Tsurtsumia's songs are covered in other countries. In Armenia she's so popular, that songs like "Samba" and "Love Story" charted No. 1 in the country and were covered by Armenian singers.

After 2006, Tsurtsumia appeared on stage only with her live jazz band.

On 11 August 2006, she had a live concert in Zugdidi in front of more than 40,000 people.^[2]

In 2007, Tsurtsumia signed with the label Art Lend and her albums were distributed on some European e-stores, such as The Orchard.^[3]

Band

In 2006, Tsurtsumia began to form her live band. After two-month of rehearsals she and the band began touring Georgia, and had two concerts in Athens, Greece. After that they were invited to hold "Imedi TV" sessions. This was a live concert, which was recorded and released on DVD and CD, called LIVE - Lela Tsurtsumia.

The band features:

Irakli Menteshashvili – keyboards
Chabuka Amiranashvili – saxophone
Maia Kachkachishvili – keyboards
Lasha Abashmadze – bass guitar
Levan Sharashidze – guitar
Ramaz Khudoevi – percussion
Nika Abashmadze – drums
Vaska Kutuxov – garmoni
Gio Mamula –
Shota – duduning

Backing vocals:

Rati Durglishvili
Gvanca Kachkachishvili

Sound engineer:

Alex Nonikof

Discography

Studio albums

Paemani (Date, 2000)
Ocneba Shenze (Dream of you, 2000)
Suleli Tsvima (Stupid Rain, 2004)
Popular Duets (2005)
Tsamebs Shentvis Vinakhav (I Save Seconds For You, 2006)
Yamo Helessa (Lord have mercy, 2006)

Compilation albums

The Best(2002)
The Best (Israel, 2006)
The Best (USA, 2006)

Acting roles

Year	Film	Role
2008	Piko	film by shota kalandadze
2011	Darchi Chemtan (Stay with Me)	Qeti
2011	Garigeba 20 Tslis Shemdeg (Deal After 20 Years)	Tsiala

References

Notes

^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ Peoples Bank Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
^ The Orchard – Artist Discography Archived 13 September 2012 at archive.today

[1] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[2] Peoples Bank Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine

[3] The Orchard – Artist Discography Archived 13 September 2012 at archive.today

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