Biography

The most impressive aspect of Ana’s music is her diversity of techniques and styles. Her blend of smoking electric funk slide guitar, jazzy instrumentals, tight blues groove, soulful feminine vocals and her incredible stage presence makes her an irresistible force in the music world. Her career has been meteoric, and shows no signs of slowing down. Ana is the first European ever nominated for ‘Best New Blues Artist’ at the W.C. Handy Award Show in Memphis, Tennessee (2003). She was also nominated for 'Best Blues Album' at the Jammie Awards in New York City, a three way nominee for 'Best Vocalist', 'Best Guitarist' and 'Best Album' at the French Blues Awards (2002) and she won the prestigious jazz award 'Jazz A Juan revelation In Juan Le Pins' (France 2004).

In 2007, Ana signed her first American record deal with the Los Angeles based Eclecto Groove Records. Produced by Grammy Award winning producer John Porter and David Z., ‘Still Making History’ signified Ana’s first official entry into the U.S. market and it was a smashing success. The album spent a total of 19 weeks on the Billboard blues chart and hit its peak position at #3!

Now after tirelessly touring the U.S. and Europe for the past two years Ana returns with her follow up effort ‘Blind For Love’, produced by Mark Dearnley (AC/DC, Tom Petty, Paul McCartney). Joined by members of her regular touring band plus special guests from the Phantom Blues Band, Ana offers up a little something here for everyone including blues, rock, jazz, funk and gospel.

2009

For the second time Ana and her European band are invited to play at the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. On high sea Ana jams with Susan Tedeschi, Larry McCray, Bob Margolin and many more.

Ana is part of Robert Radler's guitar documentary 'Turn It Up’, about the worlds best guitars and guitar players. In March and April Ana records her second Eclecto Groove Records album 'BLIND FOR LOVE' (BFL) at Castle Oaks Studio in Los Angeles with producers David Z (Prince, Jonny Lang) and Mark Dearnley (AC/DC, Paul McCartney). BFL is worldwide released on July 21. Also in July Ana has the great honour to open up for BB King. Ana's new CD makes it to #1 at rootsmusicreport.com, for most frequently radio played blues CD in the States. In October BFL enters the Living Blues Radio Charts at #14.

2008

Ana travels to Los Angeles to remix her album 'Still Making History' with platinum selling producer, Rudy 'Mayru' Maya. On May 5 Ana gives birth to a healthy baby-boy; Luuk. He weights 3.925 Kilo (almost 8 pound) and is born with lots of dark hair and big blue eyes.

In June Ana, her band and baby Luuk gear up for a 5 week tour travelling all throughout the United States and Canada sharing the stage with Jonny Lang, Ronnie Earl, Los Lobos and many others. In July 'SMH' makes it's way to #3 at the US Billboard chart, bringing the number of weeks on the chart up to a total of 19.

2007

Ana makes appearance at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Her performance is followed the screening of BigSky Motion Pictures release 'What Love Is' starring Cuba Gooding Jr. Ana's record 'STILL MAKING HISTORY' has it's worldwide release on June 19, 2007. The Eclecto Groove / Delta Groove Music inc. recording is produced by David Z. and Grammy Award winning producer John Porter (Los Lonely Boys, Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’)

Ana does an impressive total of 152 concerts; including seven intensive tours in the States, sharing the stage with many famous artists including blues legend Buddy Guy. Next to touring Europe and the US she even plays Russia and Mexico. In October Ana is invited for a Dutch combi-tour with Dutch 'guitar-hero' Jan Akkerman (Focus). Also in October Ana stars in Hollywood's production Springbreak '83 shot in New Orleans. That very same month her record 'Still Making History' (SMH) makes its debut on the Billboard Blues Chart at #8 sharing the chart with the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan. In November SMH makes it to #7 and in the beginning of December even to #4.

2006

Ana is invited for the legendary ‘Blues Cruise 2006’ - She’s the first European artist ever called upon to play this prestigious cruise with their original band. In February Ana is nominated as ‘Blues Artist of the Year’ by the readers of ‘BluesWax Magazine.’ Other nominees are Tab Beniot and Joe Bonamassa. In July Ana receives a 6-time nomination for the ‘Living blues awards 2006.’ She’s selected in categories as; ‘Best blues DVD of 2005,’ ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Best Female Blues Artist’ and ‘Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)’. In November, after a 13-week summer-tour throughout the USA, Ana signs a record deal at ‘Delta Groove Productions record label’ and travels to Los Angeles to record her first Delta Groove release.

2005

Ana releases her third Ruf Album jointly as a live DVD. Recorded at the ’Melkweg‘ in Amsterdam and Titled Ana! Live in Amsterdam The DVD/CD is released in April in Europe and August in the USA. Ana tours throughout Europe and even plays in Dubai as part of Ruf’s ‘Blues Caravan - Ladies Night’ with Sue Foley and Candy Cane.

2004

With great live shows, Ana’s international demand continues to grow. She returns to the USA - this time touring three times - and plays concerts in Canada and throughout Europe. Together with her band she wins the prestigious jazz award ‘Jazz a Juan-Revelation 2004’ in Juan Le Pins, France. The award shows recognition of Ana’s abilities in the jazz genre - another strong influence on her music. Ana begins an endorsement contract for Mesa Boogie amplifiers. She is also particularly proud to join many of the world’s top guitarists as she begins endorsement for Ovation Guitars.

2003

Ana returns to Memphis and records her second album for Ruf Records. Titled ‘Comfort to the Soul’; Half of the album was produced/mixed by Jim Gains in February, with the remainder produced and mixed by David Z (Prinz, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang) in April. Praised for its diverse package of blues, rock, soul and jazz the album leads to Ana receiving a nomination at the prestigious WC Handy Awards in Memphis for Best New Artist of 2003 (the only continental European artist ever nominated in this category). Ana also becomes the first European artist to perform at the Show. The year also sees Ana endorsing ‘Fender’ guitars and ‘DR handmade’ strings for the first time. During the ‘Rhythm & Blues Fest’ in Peer, Belgium, Ana is invited on stage by ‘The King of Soul’, Solomon Burke, who immediately invites her to join him as a special guest for the rest of his tour.

2002

Ana is part of the European ‘Jimi Hendrix Tribute tour’ with Walter Trout. Ana also takes her European band on tour to the US for the first time. She receives three nominations for the 2002 blues Awards in France: ‘Best Singer,’ ‘Best Guitarist’ and ‘Best Album.’

2000 - 2001

In October of 2000, Ana travels to Memphis to record her first release for Ruf Records. Titled Hush! after her first band, the release is produced by Jim Gaines (whose production credits include Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughan). Hush! is released at the beginning of 2001. It is a period with many highlights as Ana’s younger sister, Maja, enrols at the higher Professional school of Art in Utrecht. Ana joins various artists including Bernard Allison, Eric Burdon, Walter Trout, Popa Chubby, Jimmy Thackery, Taj Mahal and Buddy Miles on a Jimi Hendrix tribute CD: Blue Haze. Her contribution is a version of Hendrix’ ‘Belly Button Window.’ In 2001 Ana appears as ‘special guest’ on tour with Bernard Allison, who also joins her on one track of her CD Hush!

1999

Although now studying in the Netherlands; both a need to put the newly acquired music theory into practice, and a need to pay the tuition fees, leads to Ana forming a Dutch band. The band quickly becomes a popular fixture on the Dutch and German blues scenes. Inevitably, with increasing concert obligations, Ana decides to terminate her studies at The Conservatory and with a background of increasing unrest and bombing in her hometown of Belgrade Ana signs a record deal at Ruf records in Germany.

1995 - 1998

Music now begins to take up more time as Ana forms her very first band ‘Hush’ with friend and guitar player Rade Popovic. She rehearses frequently in a small garage in New Belgrade and live shows soon follow. Initially being a girl means Ana having to take second place, but that soon changes. Over the next three years Ana’s band plays all the major club venues - by 1998 doing a hundred shows annually and making regular appearances on Yugoslavian television. The end of Communism means musicians are finally free to travel and Ana now plays blues festivals in Greece & Hungary. With her band Hush she records her first album Hometown as a limited pressing and, in 1998 successfully applies to study Graphic Design in Utrecht. Just a few weeks before her new Graphic Design course starts however, Ana decides to send in a tape to Utrecht’s Conservatory. Ana’s tape is selected right away, leaving her with a choice to make - feeling more a musician than a designer the decision is easily made.

1991 - 1994

Inevitably, Ana falls for the charms of the guitar. Her father continues to help her but realizes that his daughter’s natural gift for playing the instrument goes beyond his own abilities. Although the family isn’t rich Milutin and Vesna make it possible for Ana to take private guitar lessons and Ana puts her soul into them - surprising her teacher with her progress and rapidly developing a style of her own. Finally, on finishing her Grammar School education in 1994, Ana makes the decision to follow in her father’s footsteps by studying Graphic Design at the University of Belgrade.

1981 - 1991

At school Ana is a good student. Not completely bitten by the guitar bug yet, she learns easily and likes to impress. Against the stormy political backdrop of Belgrade she receives good news: she is selected to attend one of the most prominent Schools in Belgrade. Despite her adolescent rebel years tempting her away from the classroom, and a volatile political situation under the Milosovic nationalist regime in Belgrade, she passes her exams without problems.

1976 - 1981

13 May 1976 - Ana Popovic is born in the old town of Belgrade, formerly Yugoslavia, the first daughter of Milutin and Vesna Popovic. Five years later their second daughter, Maja, is born. Ana grows up in a warm and loving family where music is very important. Her father Milutin is a creditable guitar / bass player, always inviting friends for nightly jam sessions. In this atmosphere Ana grows up, often listening to her father’s impressive blues and soul record collection. Finally, at 15, Ana picks up her father’s guitar.

Tour Itinerary