ONA's universal message mines the depths of what it means to be a woman. Translated to "SHE" from my family's native Croatian, "ONA" was inspired by the cross generational and cross-cultural stories of the immigrant women in my family and evolved into an exploration of the experiences of contemporary women everywhere.   

ONA evolved over the course of two years, but its premise crystalized in 2017 after I attended the Women's March on Washington, D.C., the largest single day protest in American history. Deeply moved by the powerful speeches given at the March, I was inspired to learn more about the stories of the women in my own family and the influences that their life experiences have had on my own existence, growth and sense of freedom. The culmination of a series of conversations with my mother and paternal grandmother - in which I learned many untold details about their lives and the matrilineal lineage of our family - propelled me to explore the battles and burdens of women in modern society through the lens of five elements: the mind, the soul, sexuality, the struggle to redefine gender ascribed roles in relationships, and one’s inner strength.

The difficulties I’ve faced in my life differ greatly from those that confronted my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother before me, but in facing the barriers that have historically blocked our paths, women have developed creative and unique ways to survive and evolve. Our evolution is proof that we cannot be stopped. ONA is a musical story of self-discovery, resistance, protest and a demand for change.

ONA represents the powerful and unapologetically free, feminine spirit that lives within every one of us.

~ Thana Alexa

ONA (Self Release, March 2020)
Grammy® Nominated
Best Jazz Vocal Album
Best Jazz Improvised Solo (Regina Carter)

Thana Alexa voice, compositions, arrangements, additional keyboards, production
Carmen Staff piano, fender rhodes, additional keyboards
Jordan Peters guitar
Matt Brewer acoustic & electric bass
Antonio Sanchez drums, percussion, additional keyboards,
co-production

Special Guests:
Regina Carter violin
ROSA Vocal Group (Aleksandra Denda, Astrid Kuljanic, Tiffany Wilson, Shilpa Ananth, Valentina Blú Lombardi, Eleni Arapoglou) Croatian voices
Staceyann Chin spoken word
Becca Stevens vocals, ukulele, charango
Nicole Zuraitis, Claudia Acuña, Sofia Rei, Sarah Elizabeth Charles vocals

Pete Karam, Thana Alexa & Antonio Sanchez mixing
Peter Karam mastering
Justin Bettman photos
Miriam Castillo album artwork