Jazzkaar 2009 program
Jazz festivals in Tallinn started already in 1949 and were organised until 1967. The founding of Jazzkaar in 1990 could be called the re-birth of festivals in Tallinn. The main performer of the first Jazzkaar was the trombone virtuoso, band leader, composer and jazz teacher Ray Anderson (USA) with his quartet. Later h ehas performed at Jazzkaar several times. This year he is back as the Jazz Ambassador for the Jazz Month celebrations and will also put together the Jazzkaar Dream Band.
In addition to Ray Anderson the main performers of Jazzkaar 2009 are the 9-time Grammy winner saxophone and clarinet player Paquito D’Rivera from Cuba, vocal legend 7 time Grammy winner Al Jarreau and one of the brightest stars of Brazilian bossa-nova – Joao Bosco. The final act of Jazzkaar Festival will be the black diamond of soul Angie Stone (USA). The festival line-up will also feature the stars from European new jazz scene – Andy Emler Megaoctet (Fra), singer Solveig Slettahjell (Nor), percussion virtuoso Marylin Mazur (Den) and young Fado star Ana Moura (Por). The club acts fill feature Cro-Magnon (Jap) and Us3 (UK).
Estonian musicians will perform their new repertoire and introduce new album material at the festival. To name just a few – Villu Veski, Raivo Tafenau, Tanel Ruben, Jaak Sooäär, Meelis Vind, Lembit Saarsalu, Siim Aimla, Kadri Voorand, Paabel, Külalised, Maria Faust etc.
The artictic director of Jazzkaar Festival, Anne Erm says: “20 years old Jazzkaar will offer an especially bright rainbow of music this time and anyone who comes to the concert will be overtaken by strong and special emotions because there is no space for anything gray or mediocre at this festival. Jazzkaar is a celebration and everyone willing to hear good music is invited to the party.”
The festival has a tradition of organising one day in museums and art gallerys, where the admission to concerts is free (only the museum ticket is needed). The home of the festival for this year is the Russian Cultural Centre in Tallinn, where several concerts are held every day for 5 days. In addition there will be photo exhibitions, sale of new jazz CDs, cafes etc. A free concert will be performed by the Estonian Border Guard Big Band and soloists.
For the third year we are celebrating the Jazz Appreciation Month- in April and during the festival the winner of the most important jazz prize in Estonia – the Elion Jazz Award – will be announced.
In addition there will be a Young Jazz Talent award and for the first time also a Jazz Educator award. In these difficult times the festival is glad that the largest Estonian telecommunication company Elion will remain as the golden sponsor of the festival –with them the award tradition was brought to life.
Find your favourites at Jazzkaar homepage www.jazzkaar.ee!
Tickets on sale in Piletilevi ticket offices (www.piletilevi.ee).
More info:
+372 611 44 05, info@jazzkaar.ee
www.jazzkaar.ee