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| Jazz Appreciation Month in Estonia Estonia has joined Jazz Appreciation Month movement that started in USA and dedicates April to jazz music. On Sunday April 1 JAM, in Estonian “Jazzikuu” begins. First event will be the final of prestigious 23th music contest dedicated to Estonian legendary composer Uno Naissoo. Jazzikuu consists of over a few dozen events mostly meant for students. Although held first time in Estonia, students and teachers from about 40 schools are involved as well as known Estonian jazz musicians and jazz students. Most events are free of charge. The most dignified guest of Jazzikuu is jazz ambassador Archie Shepp (USA), legendary saxophonist and a long-time guiding light in jazz for almost half a century. He gives a concert with his band on April 27. On April 28 there is a public recording of Shepp's interview in bookstore Rahva Raamat that will be published also on Vikerraadio and in magazine Muusika. Brandt Reiter, contributor of AllAboutJazz will hold the interview. On April 27 before Arche Shepp's concert two new jazz awards will be announced. Elion Jazz Award recognizes the most active and original jazz musician. Young Jazz Talent Award goes to an up to 26-year-old musician, who has achieved remarkable goals. On April 21 Jazzkaar's “Arts Saturday” finest contestants of jazz poster contest will be awarded at Kumu Art Museum. There is also a possibility to see all the works entered in the contest, amongst others the winning piece by Reili Nupuu from Taebla High School. The smiling cat from that piece decorates all the posters and T-shirts of Jazzikuu. From April 25 to 30 music historian and pedagogue, the author of the Jazz Appreciation Month idea John Hasse from USA Smithsonian Institute is in Estonia. On April 26 he will pay a visit to Kuressaare, where he opens the poster exhibition and speaks of Miles Davis. From April 27 to 28 he will hold lectures about “Icons of Jazz” where he will introduce music teachers to four jazz giants - Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. School concerts will bring live jazz to 13 public schools over Estonia in April. Estonian leading saxophonists Siim Aimla and Raivo Tafenau, also drummer Reigo Ahven will lead the bands. The bigband of G. Ots Music School will also take part in this endeavor. April is dedicated to jazz also at Estonian Public Television (ETV) and classical music radio channel Klassikaraadio. On Thursday evenings ETV will show films of Bobby McFerrin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Keith Jarrett and Lois Vargas. On Klassikaraadio 60 hours of jazz will sound during April plus 16 hours of live Jazzkaar Festival concerts. The Grand Old Man of Estonian jazz, musician and music historian Valter Ojakaar will introduce the most exiting recordings from his collection on Jazzikuu special. Music store chain Lasering also celebrates the month of jazz. In April there is a 10% discount on jazz CDs and surprises for people who buy for a bigger sum. Oleg Pissarenko's new album presentation concert will also fit to Jazzikuu as well as exhibitions of the poster contest works in many places over Estonia and the contest for articles about jazz music. Jazzikuu culminates with the biggest and most influential jazz festival in the Baltic countries - Jazzkaar Festival. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |