On Thursday, April 4, at the cinema “Splendid Palace” contest concert of “Riga Jazz Stage” took place. All together 25 jazz artists performed in categories “Jazz Vocal” and “Jazz Piano”.

The jury has decided to nominate 13 contestants for tonights’ Finale – 6 vocalists and 7 pianists. They will perform at the Finale tonight, April 5, at 19.00 at the cinema “Splendid palace”.

Finalists in category “Jazz Piano”:

• Rina Yamazaki (Japāna)
• Lajos Tóth (Hungary)
• Anil Bilgen (Turkey)
• Elza Ozoliņa (Latvia)
• A Bu (China)
• Can Yapıcıoğlu (Turkey)
• Atis Andersons (Latvia)

Finalists in category “Jazz Vocal”:

• Judyta Pisarczyk (Poland)
• Santa Šillere (Latvia)
• Ceren Temel (Turkey)
• Marianne Leibur (Estonia)
• Liselotte Östblom (Sweden)
• Ella Hohnen-Ford (United Kingdom)

Each contestant will perform 2 compositions, live broadcast available also on Latvia Radio 3 “Klasika”.

The performances of the contestants will be evaluated by international jury: Ali Focan (Nardis Jazz Club, Turkey), Georgina Javor (Jazz at Lincoln Cente, USA), Giuseppe Mormile (Venezia Jazz Festival, Italy), Hiroyuki Yamanaka (Tokyo Jazz Festival, Japan), Jonas Jučas (Kaunas Jazz Festival, Lithuania), Maria João (jazz singer, Portugal), Māris Briežkalns (Riga Jazz Stage, Rīgas Ritmi Festival, Latvia), Paul Pace (Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, UK), Toivo Unt (Jazz Time Fest, Estonia) and Maestro Raimonds Pauls (Latvia).

Tickets available at „Ticket Service” ticket offices and online.