Jordan Rakei is a musician in his purest form. His sold-out concert at the Alexela Concert Hall is the headlining act of Jazzkaar 2026.
When the Jazzkaar 2026 Volunteers Info Day took place two weeks ago and Jordan Rakei’s name was mentioned, the whole room gasped. The headliner of this year’s festival would soon be arriving in Estonia for the very first time, and the excitement was palpable.
To be honest, I didn’t know much about him until recently, and I was curious to see what he was all about. Just two weeks later, on April 27, he took the stage at Alexela Concert Hall and completely swept the audience off their feet with his pure talent. Everyone was left completely mind-blown.
I had the honor of experiencing the show from the very front row, which made the evening even more special. It was mesmerizing to watch someone become completely one with the music he was creating. At one point, it almost felt like he was having a duet with his synthesizers – a kind of dance between artist and instrument.
Listening to the band while Jordan delivered his vocals, it felt as though the songs had been written in a pure flow state – seamlessly moving from bar to bar, note to note. Throughout the evening, he played guitar, various keyboards, and sang with remarkable precision. He transitioned between instruments effortlessly, maintaining a natural and fluid presence on stage. His trio featured Florence Moore on bass and synthesizer, and Jim Macrae on drums. Together, they blended beautifully, each fully in tune with their role.
I’d especially like to highlight his voice. At times, it felt almost unreal – every note sounded perfect, yet still carried a sense of spontaneity and improvisation. One of the standout moments for me was the final song, “Hopes and Dreams.” He began a cappella, filling the hall with nothing but his voice. The audience fell completely silent, simply listening and taking in the moment. Afterward, he moved to the piano, bringing the song to a powerful and emotional close – a perfect ending to the concert.
Overall, I was genuinely impressed and grateful to have discovered Jordan Rakei’s music in this setting. Given the chance, I would absolutely attend his performance again.
Jordan Rakei
Monday, 27th April, Alexela Concert Hall
The band:
Jordan Rakei – Vocals, guitar, keys
Florence Moore – Bass, synthesizer
Jim Macrae – Drums
Foto – Raul Ollo