Festival Christmas Jazz 2012 offers from November 29th to December 10th a variety of top quality concerts at churches, clubs and concert halls. Musicians from USA, Korea, Chile, France, Germany, Sweden and Finland will be performing alongside Estonian players.
The main performers of Christmas Jazz are the best American male jazz vocalist Grammy-nominated Kurt Elling with Estonian Dream Big Band, the beautiful Korean singer Youn Sun Nah with her Quartet and the best vocal band from Germany Slixs.
The siver-voiced Youn Sun Nah has been rewarded as the best singer in Korea as well as in France, she has also won a lot of fans in the US. At the opening concert of the festival she’ll perform her freshest program. One of the traditions of Christmas Jazz – a concert of a top quality a capell group – will be continued with the performance of Germany’s best show vocal band Slixs. The ending concert of the festival will celebrate the cooperation of American top vocalist Kurt Elling and Estonian Dream Big Band.
Christmas Jazz will introduce many wonderful pianists. The Jacob Karlzon 3 belongs to the elite of Swedish jazz – in 2010 the pianist won the title of the Musician Of The Year. Tigran Hamasyan, a 24-year-old Armenian-rooted pianist and composer living in France has risen to incredible hights in a short period of time and won over such noted star pianists as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Brad Mehldau.
The festival also offers different treats to guitar-lovers. French Melody Makers will interpret pop and rock music from Led Zeppelin to the Beatles. Energetic Raoul Björkenheim and his Quartet are journeying at the border of rock and jazz. The rising star from Chile Francisco Liberona performs music from Latin-America in a more compact way. The master of Swedish jazz Anders Jormin and his Trio will give a concert full of fresh Nordic emotions and serene soundscapes.
Estonian musicians have prepared new programs for Christmas Jazz. Saxophone legend Lembit Saarsalu with guitarists Ain Agan and Andre Maaker combine forces to perform the most beautiful ballads by Estonian composers. Young guitarist Argo Vals with his band will play pieces from his debut album. New Christmas songs will be heard by singer Rebecca Kontus. Composer, singer and violinist Tõnu Raadik will present his new album „Tulilind“ – „A Bird Of Fire“. The honor of Estonian a capella bands will be defended by the folky Greip. Legendary Tõnis Mägi with his daughters, the children of Estonian Radio Singing Studio and Siim Aimla Band will bring warmth to the winter with a special childrens concert.
17. International Festival Christmas Jazz 2012 is supported by Elion, Eesti Päevaleht, ERGO, the official accommodation partner My City Hotel. Also Aktaprint, Info-Auto, Tallink and the official flight partner Estonian Air. The festival thanks also the Estonian Ministry of Culture, Estonian Cultural Endowment, City of Tallinn, Estonian National Broadcasting, Embassies of the US and Sweden, French Institute and many others.
Tickets are on sale at Piletilevi retailers. Tickets to the concerts at Nokia Concert Hall are also available at Ticketpro retailers.