• 3rd largest contest in Europe
   

Riga Jazz Stage is the biggest contest of its kind in the Baltic States and the 3^rd biggest in Europe. In 2017, the contest celebrates its 13^th anniversary.
 

• Legendary guitar virtuoso in Riga for the first time

Kurt Rosenwinkel became known in the 1990s, and at the moment is one of the most talented and respected guitarists of his generation. Kurt’s most distinctive feature is his unique identity, both, as a guitarist and composer. The secret lies in the sound, clear tone of the guitar with vocalized singing. With a mild vocal warm-up, Kurt improvises each note using a small microphone, creating a wide and unrepeatable melody.
 

• Cinema “Splendid Palace”

The official venue of the contest – cinema “Splendid Palace” – is a national architectural monument. With its neo-baroque facade and neo-Rococo style interior, “Splendid Palace” has delighted and fascinated every visitor. The paintings by Hermanis Grinbergs (1888–1928) are highly valuable, especially Large Hall’s plafond – have You ever paid closer attention to it? Well, now You should!
 

• 26 bright jazz talent

This year, the audiences will have the chance to hear and see ambitious jazz talent – 16 young jazz vocalists and 10 young jazz guitarists.
 

• Well respected jury

This year, contestant performances will be evaluated by well-known and respected music professionals from USA, China, Great Britain, Italy, Turkey and the Baltic States.
 

• Riga Jazz Quartet

An integral part of the contest are the accompanying musicians – the Riga Jazz Quartet, which joins some of the best jazz musicians and improviser in Latvia – Viktors Ritovs (piano), Edvīns Ozols (bass), Artis Orubs (drums) and Kristaps Lubovs (saxophones). Once every year they join forces to become the Riga Jazz Quartet!
 

• Exhilarating atmosphere

The contest is full of excitement – each contestant has only a few minutes to give a performance of their lifetime and impress the audience and also the judges.
 

• The Latvian Radio Big Band

Our own Latvian Radio Big Band will take the cinema “Splendid Palace” stage on the 8^th of April in a unique concert programme together with Kurt Rosenwinkel (USA), where they will collaborate on Kurt’s original compositions.
 

• Workshop

Guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel will host a guitar workshop on the 7^th of April, at the legendary Latvian Radio 1 Studio, at 10:00.

Apply for the workshop by writing to workshop@rigasritmi.lv.
 

• Riga Jazz Stage 2017 Season Ticket

By purchasing the Season Ticket to Riga Jazz Stage, you get one seat for all three concerts taking place in Splendid Palace, April 6^th to 8^th with a 50% discount.
 

• Jam session

True jazz lovers will have the chance to continue the evening at jazz club “Trompete”, where from 6^th till 8^th of April, the official contest jam sessions will be held. Laureates of previous years – trombone player Robinson Khoury and vocalist Erik Leuthauser – are heading the jam sessions on 6^th and 7^th of April.
 

• Audience vote

This year Riga Jazz Stage for the first time in its history will give an opportunity to the audience to vote for their favorite contestant! Voting will be closed on 6^th of April. During the contest, on 6^th and 7^th of April, audiences will be able to vote for their favourite Live Performances via the Tele2 mobile platform – www.tele2.lv/jazz .
 

Tickets to Riga Jazz Stage 2017 concerts are available at all “Biļešu Paradīze” ticket offices and on-line at www.bilesuparadize.lv.