Judges

Catherine Mayer

Germany

Jazz producer, director of agency Just Jazz International. Her company has grown into one of the finest concert agencies and artist management companies based in Europe, booking tours for Take 6, Bob James, The Manhattan Transfer, Till Bronner, Patti Austin, Ivan Lins and many more internationally acclaimed artists.

Georgina Javor

USA

Georgina Javor is the Vice President of Concerts & Touring at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) where she oversees the strategy and implementation of concert programming at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City and  touring operations of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Previously, she was the Assistant Director of Programming at JALC

Giuseppe Mormile

Italy

Founder and artistic director of the Venezia Jazz Festival, one of the most important festivals on the international scene, which takes place in the heart of the city of Venice. In 1981 he created the Summer Jazz Workshop.
He is an expert of jazz and contemporary music and is considered one of the most well known Italian promoters.

Jamison Ross

USA

Jamison Ross jazz drummer and vocalist the winner of the 2012 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and Grammy nominee.
He is a graduate of Florida State University, where he received a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies. Jamison currently resides in New Orleans, Louisiana where he received his Masters of Music in Jazz Studies.

Jonas Jučas

Lithuania

Jonas Jučas is composer, founder and artistic director of International Jazz festival Kaunas Jazz, former Minister of Culture of Lithuania.

Luigi Sidero

Italy

Italian agent and promoter Luigi Sidero, a veteran of the European jazz scene who has worked with some of the most refined jazz artists and festivals in Europe. With a strong experience in musical scene and a long career as jazz&modern pianist, he's seeking new challenges and responsibilities to progress career.

Māris Briežkalns

Latvia

Latvian Radio jazz producer, artistic director of Rīgas Ritmi Festival and International Jazz Artist contest Riga Jazz Stage. Leader of Maris Briezkalns Quintet

 

Önder Focan

Turkey

Founder and artistic director of Nardis Jazz Club in Istanbul. Jazz guitarist, arranger and composer.

Paul Pace

United Kingdom

Music bookings coordinator at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. He also possesses extensive experience in specialist record retail (9 years at Ray’s Jazz), is an avid collector and unwavering champion of the music. In 2008 he received the All-Party Parliamentary Award for Services to Jazz.

 

Raimonds Pauls

Latvia

Raimonds Pauls is the most famous composer and piano player not only in Latvia, but also far beyond its borders. His music has been performed in countless countries and in the most prestigious concert halls, and all of this was possible thanks to his unique flair of melody. 

Toivo Unt

Estonia

Musician, producer, educator. Founder and artistic director of Jazz Time festival. One of Estonia`s most prominent double bass players. Artist of Estonian National Opera Symphony Orchestra. Member of Baltic Jazz Trio.