JAZZKAAR BROUGHT SPRING ONCE AGAIN !

The key words of this-years’ festival were cooperation, open mind and a glance to the future. Jazzkaar cooperated with Culture Capital Tallinn 2011, Estonian Jazz Union, Estonian Public Broadcasting, as well as with the concert organizers of Estonia and festivals Rigas Ritmi, Kaunas Jazz and April Jazz. The most succesful one of the projects under Culture Capital was the concert and workshops of legendary vocalist Bobby McFerrin that gave an enriching experience to our listeners and to the musicians of Estonia and neighboring countries.

With Tallinn 2011, Estonian Jazz Union, Jazzkaar and Norwegian producers-musicians the Estonian musicians got an exciting experience at Punkt Tallinn. Norwegians Jan Bang, Erik Honore, German J. Peter Schwalm and Guy Sigsworth from UK showed Estonians what their music can be like through the art of live-remixing. The two-day festival consisted of the best modern improvisers.

American saxophone guru David Liebman showed his worth at masterclasses as well as a band leader. His three-day masterclasses were filled with students from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. With the band consisting of Kristjan Randalu, Jaak Sooäär, Mihkel Mälgand and Tanel Ruben the Maestro gave two stunning concerts. At the concert in Tallinn also this-years’ Elion Jazz Awards were presented: the main award went to pianist Kristjan Randalu, the Young Talent Award to pianist Joel Remmel and Toivo Unt, the producer of Nõmme Jazz Festival was voted as the Jazz Encourager.

Dave Liebmans’ and European Jazz Orchestra concerts, both produced in cooperation with Tallinn 2011, were also recorded by Estonian Television and Klassikaraadio, to be seen and heard all over Europe.

During the 11 days of the festival one could see musicians everywhere – on the streets, parks, tows squares, trams, at the airport and the harbor – altogether 40 concerts and shows. Scottish Brass Jaw, Norwegian drummer Jakop Janssonn, estonian saxophone player Siim Aimla, drummer Reigo Ahven, drum orchestra Trumm-It and the young musicians of local music schools were just some of the performers of this project. The most intriguing part of the action was called “City Space Project Goes On Fire” with a great fire show and burning instruments.

In addition to those wonderful cooperation projects the audiences heard many great and lovely stars like Talvin Singh with Niladri Kumar, Richard Bona, Mayra Andrade, Anna Buturlina, Michael Schiefel, Poogie Bell Band, Dana Leong Milk & Jade, Hedvig Hanson, Rebecca Kontus and many more.

The festival hosted journalists from USA, UK, Russia, Norway and Finland. In addition to them the festival was saved and reflected operatively by volunteering reporters and photographers.

The biggest supporters of Jazzkaar are Elion, Kultuurkapital and Tallinn City, Also Eesti Päevaleht, ERGO and Sokos Hotel Viru; Aktaprint, Estonian Air, Tallink and Info-Auto. Jazzkaar also thanks the Culture Ministry of Estonia and all the foreign and local institutions.

Great thanks to everyone who helped make the festival happen!