In 2018/2019, Jazz Estonia celebrates its 15th anniversary and will launch the spring season with a magnificent jazz party at NO Jazz Club (Sakala 3, Tallinn). The jazz club’s house band will play (Tanel Ruben – drums, Andres Alaru – double bass, Vladimir Võssotski – piano, Ivo Lille – saxophone) and the stage is open for all jazz enthusiasts.
Estonian jazz celebrated its 100th anniversary last year; this year marks the 15th anniversary of Jazz Estonia. A brief overview of Estonian jazz history is available at the home page of Jazz Estonia – https://www.jazz.ee/eesti-jazz.
In winter/spring 2019, Jazz Estonia will organize concerts in ten jazz clubs all over Estonia. Monthly concerts at NO Jazz Club in Tallinn and concerts at Erinevate Tubade Klubi at the Widget Factory (Aparaaditehas) in Tartu will be accompanied by performances in Kuressaare KEK, Haapsalu Jazz Club, Rakvere Bueno Vista Sofa Club, Sillamäe Jazz Time Club, Viljandi Jazz Club, Võru Jazz Club, Valga WALK Jazz Club and Pärnu Endla Jazz Club.
Talented and fascinating Estonian jazz musicians will present their unique programmes; many will perform works from their latest records. Ivi Raus and Tiit Born will present their album Thank you, Kustas Kikerpuu that is dedicated to the pioneering composer. Sooäär/Yaralyan/Ounaskari will play works from their record A Shooting Star that they released in autumn and pianist Madis Muul will introduce his latest music with the help of his sextet. The concert programme is enriched by tributes to the world’s greatest artists, such as Jamie Cullum and Roisin Murphy. Jazz virtuosi will storm the stage with their brand new ensemble SPAR. Helin-Mari Arder, with her voice like liquid silver, will perform with a quartet. Soft-voiced Susanna Alexandra will delight us in various ensembles and Spanish-born singer Isabel Bermejo will be accompanied by Kaspar Uljas. Known and loved Estonian musicians will come together through Mingo Rajandi Quartet and Tanel Ruben & Victoria. Rita Ray (Kristi Raias), who received her rising star fame thanks to Etta James tribute, will present a programme of her works and in March Lorenzo de Finti’s Quartet will visit us from Italy. March 14 until 17 will also bring us our traditional Tudengijazz (Student Jazz), it’s the 37th season for the student-oriented festival.
Jazz Estonia is dedicated to advancing and promoting Estonian jazz music at home and abroad. The union organizes jazz concerts and relevant events, collects and distributes information about Estonian jazz music and musicians; it arranges jazz-related collaborations among musicians and organizations.