Ada Pasternak at the Bitter End

Ada Pasternak was born in Moscow and in 1996, at the age of six, immigrated with her family to Fairfield, Connecticut. Pasternak began studying violin with her aunt, New York Philharmonic violinist Asya Meshberg, and continued her studies with Albert Markov at the Manhattan School of Music. Pasternak won the grand prize in her first music competition at age 11. She then won other competitions and awards, including the Concerto Competition at the Manhattan School of Music and the Greater Bridgeport Symphony's Carlson Horn Competition. By age 16, however, Pasternak was diagnosed with tendonitis and thought she would never play music again. At the urging of a guidance counselor, she applied to the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Pasternak performed at her audition and was awarded a Presidential Scholarship -- a full ride. Pasternak began writing songs, moved to Brooklyn and has released a six-song EP entitled Ada.

Tonight at the Bitter End, Pasternak performed her original songs plus a violin-led rendition of Sam Smith's "Stay with Me." She fashioned herself in the pop singer/songwriter mode, borrowing a bit from light jazz and classical music, and bordering on cabaret. The frequent use of violin, both bowing and picking, demonstrated her virtuosity, and her backing quartet's occasional quirky arrangement was curious. Break-ups seemed to be her major source of lyricism; rather than articulate vulnerability or hurt, however, her lyrics more often seemed to tell a worthless former suitor to disappear. Pasternak is petite but she is tough.

Pasternak performs again at the Bitter End on September 10 & 17. Accompanying Pasternak in all performances are Pier Luigi Salami on piano, Andre Vasconcelos on guitar, Jude Cuchifrito Kimon bass and David Cornejo Alegre on the drums.