SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. What could be more fun than a gal with kankles?!? Simona Smirnova, a Global ambassador for the Lithuanian folk zither – kanklės, the only kanklės player in The United States, a charming performer, jazz vocalist and composer is returning to the The Velvet Note!. A Lithuanian born artist, a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Simona is a fixture in the New York live scene with her quartet when she’s not touring the world, including Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Smirnova’s genre-bending style has a unique theatrical flavor and uncanny vocal improvisation techniques, while combining Lithuanian kanklės with jazz. Simona is coming with her newly released album, which is also a sheet music book “Kanklės in New York” that is currently on the ballot of the Grammys in Best Global Music Album category.

Also starring: Kevin Bales (piano), Dave Potter (drums) and Francisco Lora (bass).