Archive

Jury

Artis Sīmanis

Latvia

Saxophonist and pedagogue, recotr of J.Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. Opened a saxophone class in J.Mediņš Riga College of Music in 1986 and in Latvian Academy of Music in 1992. Founder and leader of Riga Saxophone Quartet. Has performed with the Latvian Philarmonic Orchestra and at the Latvian National Symphonic and the Moscow Symphonic Orchestra, as well as Latvia Radio Jazz Orchestra.

China Moses

USA

American singer and television host. She is the daughter of the American jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and director Gilbert Moses, and has been steeped in music and the theatre world since she was a child. She has recorded five solo albums and has been featured on more that 20 other artist recordings. 

Magnus Palmquist

Sweden

Artistic director of Stockholm Jazz Festival and Jazzclub Fasching. Stockholm Jazz Festival is one of the significant annual music events in Sweden and Jazzclub Fasching is one of the most visited jazz clubs in Sweden for over 30 years.

Māris Briežkalns

Latvia

One of the most significant drummers in Latvia. Has been performing in the Latvian Radio bigband, bigband of G.Rozenbergs and E.Straume Trio. Producer of the Latvian Radio Big Band. Has performed at the famous Ronnie Scott's and Blue Note jazz clubs. Artistic director of Rigas Ritmi Festival and contest Riga Jazz Stage. Jury member of many international contests.

Önder Focan

Turkey

Guitar player, band leader, composer and arranger from Istanbul, Turkey. Owner and artistic director of Nardis Jazz Club in Istanbul. Organizer of Nardis Young Jazz Vocalist competition since 2005. Jury member of many local and international jazz competitions.

Raimonds Pauls

Latvia

The most acclaimed Latvian composer. Brilliant master of melodies and jazz compositions. Has been Latvian Radio music program director and director of Latvian Radio bigband. Member of many juries at the international music contest, patron of Latvian Radio bigband.

Steponas Januška

Lithuania

Vocalist and composer, vocal teacher and docent at Klaipeda University Art faculty Jazz department. Docent at Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy. Producer and founder of International jazz vocalist competition “Jazz Voices” in Lithuania.

Steve Rubie

United Kingdom

Musician and owner of “606 Club” in London.
Steve is professional musician – has played saxophone and flute within the Julian Joseph All Star big band. Jazz club, located in Chelsea, is one of the most significant jazz music spots in the U.K. It built a solid reputation through the 70`s and 80`s amongst musicians and audience as the Jazz hang – out.

Toivo Unt

Estonia

One of the Estonia's most prominent contrabass players. For many years has played in Symphonic orchestra of Estonian National opera. Also the founder and artistic director of the international jazz festival "Nomme Jazz".