Jazzkaar is delighted to announce the headliner of the 2026 edition: for the first time ever, Estonia will welcome Jordan Rakei — the New Zealand–born singer, songwriter and producer who has become a central figure in London’s music scene, captivating millions of fans worldwide with his cinematic blend of soul and jazz. The concert will take place on 27 April at Alexela Concert Hall. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, 16 December at 12:00, with a limited number of early-bird tickets with 40% discount. Read more and get tickets HERE!
“Jordan Rakei is an artist whose music moves and mesmerises — his recognisable warm tone and the rich layers behind his elegant simplicity have brought him to some of the world’s most important stages. Our Jazzkaar team has been hoping to bring him to Estonia for years, and after recently seeing him at North Sea Jazz, we are especially thrilled to finally announce Jordan Rakei as the headliner of Jazzkaar 2026,” says Anne Erm, artistic director of Jazzkaar. This long-awaited dream for Estonian jazz fans is made possible thanks to the support of Viru Keskus.
Jordan Rakei’s music weaves together soul, jazz, indie, r’n’b and electronic elements, forming a signature sound where his warm baritone meets intricate rhythms and profound lyrics. His work has been compared to that of Tom Misch, James Blake and Mount Kimbie. Among his best-known tracks are the melodically captivating Say Something, Mind’s Eye and Wildfire, which have secured his position on the international music stage. In 2024 he was also named the first-ever resident artist of the legendary Abbey Road Studios.
To date, Rakei has released six albums, including The Loop (2024) and Live From the Royal Albert Hall (2025). His latest work moves beyond the digital minimalism of his home-studio years, offering listeners grand orchestrations and compelling choral arrangements. At the same time, his vocals remain at the heart of his imaginative sonic world — at moments soft and intimate, at others powerful and assured.
At Jazzkaar, Jordan Rakei will perform as a trio, bringing to Tallinn a special and intimate concert format where his voice, keys and guitar intertwine with the poetry of bass and drums. The setup creates a space that is both powerful and delicate, highlighting the beauty and technical mastery of Rakei’s music.
The 37th Tallinn International Festival Jazzkaar 2026 will take place from 25 April to 2 May in Telliskivi Creative City, with additional concerts across Estonia. The full festival programme will be announced in early February.
Ticket sales for Jordan Rakei’s concert begin on 16 December at 12:00. A limited number of early-bird tickets will be available at a 40% discount. Young music fans aged 8–20 can purchase tickets at a 50% discount. Tickets and additional information are available at www.jazzkaar.ee.
The main partners of Jazzkaar are JURA, Jazz Pesulad and Eesti Päevaleht. Annual supporters include United Motors, Tallink and Nordic Hotel Forum. Jordan Rakei’s concert is brought to Estonia in cooperation with Viru Keskus. The festival hub is supported by Telliskivi Creative City, Prike and Fotografiska Tallinn. Jazzkaar is supported by Seesam Insurance, aren.ee, Reval Café, Aktaprint, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, UNESCO City of Music Tallinn, and Enterprise Estonia.