On the evening of 23 April, the Jazzkaar Festival and Jazz Estonia honoured Estonia’s most outstanding jazz musicians. The Estonian Jazz Awards were presented for the 19th time, with prizes given in seven categories. The festive awards ceremony took place at Jazzkaar, just before the concert by Jazz Musician of the Year 2024, Karmen Rõivassepp, and the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra.
Jazz Musician of the Year 2025
Kristjan Randalu – pianist
Young Jazz Talent 2025
Mikk Kaasik – pianist
Jazz Promoter of the Year 2025
Toivo Tuberik
Jazz Ensemble of the Year 2025
Mathei Florea New Grounds
Jazz Composer of the Year 2025
Bianca Rantala – composer, conductor, and musician
The title of Jazz Musician of the Year 2025 was awarded to Kristjan Randalu, one of the most distinguished pianists of his generation in both improvised jazz and classical music. As Randalu was performing in Berlin that evening, the award was accepted on
his behalf by his daughter, Ada Randalu. The winner receives a €4,000 prize from Piletikeskus and a concert slot at the Jazzkaar 2026 festival.
The Young Jazz Talent award went to jazz pianist Mikk Kaasik, who released his debut album Take One last year – a record that captures the raw energy and youthful vitality of a new generation of musicians. The €2000 prize, sponsored by Telliskivi Creative City, also includes an opportunity for the young artist to perform at a Jazzkaar-organised concert within the coming year. The title of Jazz Composer of the Year was awarded to Bianca Rantala – a composer, conductor, and musician known for her original works, arrangements, and leadership of musical ensembles in Estonia, Finland, and across Europe. The Estonian Authors’ Society presented her with a €2000 prize in recognition of her achievements.
The title of Jazz Ensemble of the Year was awarded to Mathei Florea New Grounds, a group performing Nordic contemporary jazz that seamlessly blends modern jazz with classical music influences. The ensemble received a €2000 prize from the Estonian Authors’ Society.
The Jazz Promoter of the Year award was presented to Toivo Tuberik, a longtime concert organiser who has been active in Estonia’s cultural scene for 45 years. His prize included a JURA C8 coffee machine, courtesy of the festival’s main sponsor JURA, as well as a year-long pass to concerts organised by Jazzkaar and Jazz Estonia.
The Audience Choice Award presented by Estonian daily newspaper, Eesti Päevaleht, went to Mikk Kaasik, who captivates listeners with his dynamic and high-spirited music. The audience favourite received €2,000 worth of advertising credit from Delfi Meedia.
In cooperation with the Cultural Partnership Foundation, the prestigious Lifetime Contribution to Estonian Jazz award was presented to Lembit Saarsalu – saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. Often referred to as the “King of Saxophone,” “Ambassador of Estonian Jazz,” and “Jazz Gem,” Saarsalu has been performing for nearly 60 years, ever since his first appearance with a saxophone at the renowned
restaurant Kevade. Over the past four decades, he has also performed on international stages and made a profound impact as an educator, including eight years of teaching in the rhythm music department at the Heino Eller Music School. Lembit Saarsalu received
a €10,000 award from the Cultural Partnership Foundation, funded by entrepreneurs Heiti Hääl and Raul Lõhmus.
The Estonian Jazz Awards are presented by the Jazzkaar Festival and Jazz Estonia, in cooperation with the Estonian Authors’ Society, Piletikeskus, JURA, Telliskivi Creative City, Eesti Päevaleht, and the Cultural Partnership Foundation. All winners received an artwork by photographer Kaupo Kikkas from his series Traces or Treescape.
A photo gallery from the awards ceremony can be found HERE, featuring photos by Teet Raik. The Estonian Jazz Awards broadcast, produced by Eesti Päevaleht, is available for replay HERE.