On Friday, Jazzkaar starts for the 24th time in Tallinn. The international music festival presents artists from 14 countries giving 60 concerts in 11 different towns.
In Tallinn, jazz can be heard on every corner. Musicians are going to surprise the citizens and guests at the airport, in trams and on streets. On 21st April, musicians and poets step up together in seven exciting places of the Old Town. On the same day citizens can enjoy free entrance to the Marina Pavilion where the ensemble Collage spices up folk music. Free entry is also at the Lunch concerts in Café Kai and NO99 Jazz Club.
With the mobile application EMT Live you can compose your own schedule for Jazzkaar. The app also reminds you of starting concerts.
Jazzkaar’s home is by the sea – the custom built Marina Pavilion (Sadama 25/4) on the Tallinn Harbor grounds that seats 800 people. The Pavilion will be set up in cooperation with Jazzkaar’s production partner RGB and the Port of Tallinn.
The schedule of the festival is filled with many favourites – concerts of young soul jazz star Zara McFarlane from United Kingdom and pop jazz singer Gregory Porter from USA are nearly sold out already.
Also headliners are the saxophone legend Charles Lloyd and bright Yamaha piano virtuoso Hiromi from Japan. Yamaha’s concert piano CFX is brought in especially for the concert from Germany.
Charismatic group Hildegard Lernt Fliegen plays many interesting instruments, for example marimba and a typing machine. Highest pilotage of vocal jazz in the club setting is given by the septet Naturally 7 from USA. The most famous star of the club scene is singer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Dwele with his band.
Many pianists come to perform at Jazzkaar: the French virtuosi Bojan Z and Andy Emler, also Jason Moran, Nils Frahm, Kristjan Randalu and Taavi Kerikmäe. The most busiest Estonian artist at Jazzkaar is Hedvig Hanson who presents her newest album „Esmahetked“ (First Moments) by giving seven performances. She is seconded by young bass guitarist Mai Agan who present her debut album „Luv“. From the guest performers Balkan Strings gives five concerts.
Concerts will be also given in Viljandi and Tartu, the most jazz-friendly places outside of Tallinn during the festival.
For those who attend Jazzkaar with family, the Marina Pavilion offers concerts especially for children with circus artists from OMAtsirkus. Also, it is possible to ride on the Kajsamoor sailing ship. Marina Pavilion also has an atmospheric cafe where the visitors can enjoy the cake of Jazzkaar and get acquainted with new jazz albums.
Jazzkaar’s golden sponsor is Danske Bank whose clients can have tickets with -20% discount. Other main sponsors are Eesti Päevaleht, ERGO and Kafo, yearly sponsors are My City Hotel, Tallink, Aktaprint, United Motors. Marina Pavilion’s partners are Prike, RGB and Tallinn Port. Also helping are flight partner Lufthansa, cafe partner Reval Cafe, EMT, Hansabuss, Eesti Loots, Hennessy and Kodupaber. The Festival is supported by Tallinn City Government, Estonian Endowment Fund, The Culture Ministry, Embassy of the United States of America, Embassy of Austria, L’Institut français d’Estonie and many towns.
There are over 100 volunteers at the festival, who help to organise, write and photograph the event.
Tickets are sold at Piletilevi selling points and in Internet at www.piletilevi.ee.
Charles Lloyd’s tickets can also be bought at Ticketpro booths or at www.ticketpro.ee.
Tickets are also sold at the venues.
Check information at www.jazzkaar.ee
Gallery of the construction of Marina Pavilion: http://www.jazzkaar.ee/fotod/jazzkaar-2013/merepaviljon/
Let’s meet at Jazzkaar!
Anne Erm
Artistic director of Jazzkaar