KUKURUZA
- From Moscow, Russia.
- The group formed in 1975 as a Russian folk band. Their first exposure to bluegrass was an early eighties tour of the Soviet Union by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. At the time they were called Ornament. They later changed their name to Kukuruza, which means “corn” in Russian.
- During their bluegrass music years, they featured the vocals of Irina Surina who joined the group in 1989.
- 1992, released Kukuruza
album (no label).
- 1993, released Crossing The Borders
album (Sugar Hill Records).
- Made several tours of the US and played the Grand Ole Opry.
- 1998, released Endless Story
album (Gadfly Records).
- The group eventually morphed into an electric band, playing the night clubs of Moscow and disbanded in 2006.