FRANCESCA
TANDOI
TRIO
Jazz Artist Contest
RIGA JAZZ STAGE
Jazz Artist Contest
RIGA JAZZ STAGE
USA
Jazz pianist and vocalist from Los Angeles. Divides her time between performing, teaching and journalism. Her essays, reviews, and interviews have appeared in Windplayer, Billboard Live, Jazz Notes and All About Jazz, Los Angeles. She is a monthly columnist for ConcordJazz.com. Teaches at Idyllwild Arts Academy, University of Southern California and Occidental College.
Latvia
One of the most popular and professional artists and trombonists in Latvian. He has successfully participated in competitions such as Sony Jazz Stages, Wave and Eurovision Song Contest. Performed in jazz festivals like Kaunas Jazz, Nomme Jazz, Jazz Kaar, MIDEM in France, Pori Jazz and Ottawa Jazz.
Switzerland
One of the greatest drummers in the world. He has played in Monty Alexander`s band and collaborated with such a jazz grands as Dizzy Gallespie and Nina Simone. He has participated in all the world`s major jazz festivals: the North Jazz festival, Montreux festival, also in festivals in Nice, Antibes and Athens. He is the founder of project NERVE.
Finland
Remarkable Finnish contrabass player and the founder of Europe`s largest jazz festival – Pori Jazz. He was the festival`s artistic director until 2009 and festival`s Association executive director from 1971 to 1976 and from 1979 to 1990.
Latvia
One of the most significant Latvian drummer, producer. Has been performing at the Latvian Radio Big Band from 1975 – 1996.
Artistic director of Latvian Radio Big Band 2012-2018.
Band leader of Maris Briezkalns Quintet.
Briezkalns runs the Contemporary Music Centre, founded in 1997, and produces the “Rigas Ritmi Festival”. The director of the international jazz artists contest “Riga Jazz Stage”.
Latvia
Maestro Raimonds Pauls is the most acclaimed of Latvian composers. He is brilliant master of melody and author of many jazz compositions. He has been Latvian Radio music program director and director of Latvian Radio Big band. 1980 – 1983 has managed the jazz improvisation classes at the Conservatory. Member of many juries at the international music contests, including the position of chairman of jury for new vocalists contest “New Wave”.
Lithuania
Vocalist and composer. Docent at the Klaipeda University Art faculty Jazz department, since 1997 – docent of VMU (Vytautas Magnus University) Music Academy jazz department. Producer and founder of International jazz vocalist`s competition “Jazz Voices”. Also a vocalist at the band “Studio” for almost 30 years.
Estonia
One of Estonia`s most prominent contrabass players. From many years he has played contrabass in Estonian National Opera Symphony Orchestra. In 1999 Toivo Unt established the band which performed at the Estonian National Opera with the brand new jazz – ballet program for the first time in the history of Estonian Opera. Toivo Unt is also the founder and artistic director of International Jazz Festival Nomme Jazz.