Jazz Talks are a forum for representatives of other jazz festivals and journalists from Estonia and abroad, supporters and melomaniacs. This year’s topics include music journalism, management, “Tallinn-67” and behind-the-scenes life of the music industry. Come and be part of interesting free panel conversations on 22nd, 23rd, 25th and 28th of April in Punane Maja and Safran.
Sat 22/04 at16.00 Punane Maja
“Tallinn-67″
Speakers: Tõnu Sal-Saller, Jaan Rõõmus, Reet Linna, Anne Erm
Language: Estonian
A special project is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the international jazz festival Tallinn-67, which marked an important moment in the music life of Estonia and the Soviet Union in 1967. The event that reached the front page of New York Times featured the by now legendary Charles Lloyd Quartet. However, since the powers that be feared to impose a strong Western influence on the Soviet people, this festival was to be the last of the tradition that had begun in 1949.
Sun 23.04 at 14.00 Safran
Viljandi Vibes: “Artist special: Elina Hokkanen & Johannes Laas”
Speakers: Elina Hokkanen, Johannes Laas, Stuart Garlick
Language: English
This artist special is part of the jazz talks and will be filmed by Viljandi Vibes. The conversation will be in English and led by Stuart Garlick.
The talented Elina Hokkanen and Johannes Laas have performed and written music together for the past four years, including the years together in Innersound. Now they have decided to perform as a duo in addition to making music with different collectives. This concert-conversation will showcase Elina’s new creations.
Sun 23.04 at 18.00 Punane Maja
Viljandi Vibes: “Artist special: Kadri Voorand & Mihkel Mälgand”
Speakers: Kadri Voorand, Mihkel Mälgand, Stuart Garlick
Language: English
This artist special is part of the jazz talks and will be filmed by Viljandi Vibes. The conversation will be at 17.50 in English and led by Stuart Garlick. The duo’s live will start at 18.00.
Kadri Voorand is a well-established vocalist and composer, Mihkel Mälgand is one of the most active bass players in Estonia. Together they have formed a duo, playing mostly original music, skillfully composed material for piano, bass and voice that’s open for improvisation, illustrated with ambient electronic effects, while using both Estonian poetry and original texts. They have previously played together in Kadri Voorand Group, which played concerts both in Estonia and abroad, including Pori Jazz, Jazz Baltica etc.
Tue 25.04 at 17.00 Punane Maja
“Fookus Live: What does it take to manage an artists’ career in 2017 and beyond?”
Speakers: Pia Raitala, Virgo Sillamaa, Charles Gil, Raimo Matvere
Language: English
This jazz talk is in collaboration with Music Estonia.
Raitala Music Ltd is a brand new management and booking agency for some of Finland’s most well-known musicians in the field of jazz and pop music. Before starting her own company, Pia Raitala worked as an Artist Manager for over 10 years. The top-notch artists include pianist Aki Rissanen, saxophonist Jukka Perko, jazz ensemble Ricky-Tick Big Band and vibraphonist Panu Savolainen to name a few.
Virgo Sillamaa is the board member and director of the new Estonian music export office and industry association Music Estonia. A long time freelance jazz guitarist he had been active on the Estonian improvised music scene for more than ten years and is now managing AVARUS, a company built around promoting and advancing the careers of some of the most prominent improvisers/composers in Estonian jazz scene.
Charles Gil and his agency Vapaat äänet (Finnish for Free Voices/Free Sounds) promotes and develops the exchange of jazz and improvised music between France, Finland, the Baltic countries and the whole Nordic region. The agency works with passion and respect for adventurous music and its creators, helping them to meet new audiences. Over the years Vapaat äänet has steadfastly built up a substantial network of promoters in Northern Europe.
Moderator is Raimo Matvere.
Fri 28.04 at 17.00 Punane Maja
“Music journalism – a friend or a foe of the musician?”
Speakers: Andrey Henkin, Ammar Kalia, Stuart Garlick
Language: English
Andrey Henkin is the editorial director of the online magazine New York Jazz Record which covers good amount of jazz news from all over the world. Henkin is the expert in whose listings every musician would like to be. Besides writing reviews, interviews and other music news he is also doing creative writing, sculptures and graffiti pictures. He has been also active in writing for Allaboutjazz.
Ammar Kalia is a music writer and has written for Clash, Hero Magazine, Tank Magazine, Jazz Standard, The Guardian, The Morning Star, The Quietus, etc.
The jazz talk is moderated by the journalist Stuart Garlick (Charm Offensive).
This jazz talk is funded by Baltic-American Freedom Foundation. Visit the website: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org