Tonina

This is Tonina. A lady with a vivid palette of emotions that she has effortlessly woven into her music. The hand that scatters talents across the world placed her at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers in the city of St. Louis. The part of the World where jazz and blues were born, where all the world's sorrows have been cried out and sung into joy.

Her singing resonates with all of her origins— the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, South America, and Africa. You can also hear the genres that she has wholeheartedly embraced. Above all, what comes through first is her warm, torn voice. Check out her other videos to see that smile.

We met her during a brief yet very important trip to Valencia. The little free time we had, we saved for live jazz. Barely forty of us in a beachside club held our breath throughout the performance. We later discovered that the city was very important to her musical growth.

After the performance, she told us she would love to come to Belgrade and said it in our language. In her hometown, there's a large community of our people who have been a part of her upbringing.

Upon our return, Tonina's music was frequently played in the studio, and during that period, these cups and saucers were created. Bojana feels a connection between them and this music. We would love to hear your impressions of that connection.

We are especially pleased that Tonina has personally acknowledged, approved, and blessed this collection's naming.