Ruta Di: Onwards & Upwards
16th October 2026
Ruta Di presents: Onwards & Upwards Released: 16th October 2026
London-based, Lithuanian singer-songwriter, guitarist and composer Ruta Di is proud to present her new album Onwards & Upwards. Widely known for her virtuosity and dexterity on both guitar and vocals, Ruta Di pairs wonderfully tasteful solos with infectious hooks. Japanese jazz magazine The Walkers described her as “a hot topic for her exceptional guitar playing”, highlighting her distinctive presence as both an instrumentalist and bandleader. Ruta’s music has received support and recognition from platforms including BBC Radio, Jazz FM, D’Angelico Guitars and Women in Jazz. Her captivating live performances have seen her grace the stage at prestigious events such as Cheltenham Jazz Festival (Jazz Arena Stage), EFG London Jazz Festival, and Rochester International Jazz Festival (USA). She was also selected to represent emerging England-based jazz artists at the Jazz Promotion Network Conference. Ruta’s virtuosic guitar playing, instrumental vocals and strong ensemble writing, brings together improvisation, texture and melodic clarity, all of which fuses together perfectly on her new album.
Speaking about Onwards & Upwards, Ruta says: “This album began with a melody I wrote after my grandmother passed away. I wanted to write a song for her, something that could express what I was feeling. I searched for words many times, but none of them felt true enough. Eventually, I left the melody without lyrics… when I began performing the piece live, I noticed that people connected with it deeply. Without words, listeners seemed to find their own meanings inside the music. The melodies became open spaces — places for memory, feeling, imagination, and reflection. That experience changed the way I thought about music and about the voice itself. The human voice can express something beyond language. Sometimes feelings arrive before words. Sometimes they remain outside them completely. This music was born from that space.” She continues: “I became fascinated by how music can communicate beyond literal understanding. A listener may not know the meaning of the words, but can still feel atmosphere, emotion, rhythm, tension, tenderness, or longing within the sound itself. Voice Beyond Words became the thread connecting these compositions: music shaped by jazz, folk traditions, improvisation, and storytelling, where the voice is used not only to explain, but also to feel, remember, and communicate in another way.”
Ruta Di has assembled a dynamic ensemble of collaborators and guests, including saxophonists Duncan Eagles, Leo Richardson and Alan Short, as well as many other talented musicians – all key players in international jazz with their own strong reputations throughout the scene. Onwards & Upwards is an inspiring album that wholeheartedly reflects Ruta Di’s unique talent.
Thank you to Dynamic Agency for sharing with us