ALINA HIPHARP

Alina Bzhezhinska (AlinaHipHarp)

Harpist | Composer | Innovator | Bandleader

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Widely recognised as one of the world’s leading contemporary jazz harpists, Alina Bzhezhinska (a.k.a. AlinaHipHarp) is a visionary artist on a mission to bring the harp to the forefront of contemporary music. Blending spiritual jazz, electronica, hip-hop and free improvisation, she continues to redefine the possibilities of the instrument through her distinctive sound and fearless artistic approach.

 

Alina is the founder and creative force behind HipHarpCollective, winner of Best Ensemble at the 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The collective's double LP Reflections (BBE Music) was named Album of the Year 2022 by Preston Music, while her quartet received a nomination for Best Live Act at the 2017 Jazz FM Awards.

 

With seven critically acclaimed jazz albums as a bandleader, Alina has established herself as a compelling composer, recording artist and collaborator. Her work also features on Women in Jazz Vol. 1 (2025) and Church of Sound's 10th-anniversary compilation Clapton Hymns Vol. 1 (2026). She has collaborated with an extraordinary range of artists, including Brian Jackson, Chaka Khan, Tony Kofi, Shabaka Hutchings, Ganavya, DJ Spinna and Charif Megarbane.

 

As a sidewoman, Alina has recorded with Shabaka, Kamaal Williams and Ganavya. She has also worked with acclaimed DJ and producer Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy on remixes for Saint Etienne, demonstrating her versatility across jazz, electronic and contemporary music.

 

Bzhezhinska also performs in an acclaimed duo with award-winning saxophonist Tony Kofi. Together, they have created two albums: Altera Vita (BBE Music), awarded five stars by DownBeat and described as a "masterpiece", and Whispers of Rain Live (Tru Thoughts). Their musical partnership brings together the expressive depth of the harp and the rich tonal palette of the saxophone, exploring spiritual jazz, improvisation and intimate musical dialogue.

"Alina and Tony seem to be such a perfect match as their mastery of the harp and sax reflect so beautifully." -You and the Music.

 

AlinaHipHarp's solo harp and electronics performances have become a favourite with audiences and a distinctive addition to international festivals. She has performed at JazzBez in Ukraine and Sofar Sounds London and headlined York Jazz Festival in 2026.

 

Drawing on her original compositions, she combines electric harp, loop pedals and an SP-404 sampler to create rich, layered soundscapes in real time. Moving between spiritual jazz, ambient textures and free improvisation, her performances are intimate, immersive and full of sonic possibilities, bringing the harp into a bold contemporary setting.

 

Bzhezhinska's music has surpassed two million plays on iTunes and features on popular Apple Music and Spotify playlists, as well as British Airways and partner radio stations.

 

She also hosts her own monthly radio show, With Harp and Without, on One Jazz Radio, presenting an hour of carefully curated music and research exploring the history, evolution and contemporary voices of jazz harp.

 

Beyond music, Alina is a passionate advocate for peace and freedom, speaking out against war and oppression. She supports the Ukrainian charity Tepli Doloni, which provides art therapy sessions for children displaced by the war in Ukraine.

 

Inspired by the pioneering spirit of Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby, Alina continues to challenge musical boundaries, connecting traditions, generations and genres while forging a distinctive artistic voice.