World Jazz Festival that gathered world’s noticeable musicians has passed in Riga last weekend. Festival was held in Latvian capital already the second time and, as usually, with Rietumu Bank support.
World Jazz Festival opening was three-hour long concert in the very heart of Riga – Dome Square, freely available for citizens of Riga and guests of Latvian capital. Russian Federation Ambassador Alexander Veshniakov, as well as the mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs, who thanked organizers for “wonderful idea of arranging this festival in Riga for the second time”, welcomed festival guests.
Stage of city’s greatest music venue - "Arena Riga" welcomed world-famous saxophonist Igor Butman with Moscow jazz orchestra, jazz legend Stanley Clarke, American band «Take 6", Indian musician Trilok Gurtu and other noticeable performers.
In terms of the festival, Latvian musicians, students and everyone else had an opportunity to attend free workshops from World Jazz Festival headliners, which took place in Latvian Music Academy.
As a member of the Board of Rietumu Alexander Gafin noted: «World Jazz Festival became one of the most noticeable cultural events of this summer, which attracted to Riga lots of music admirers from East and West.
In my opinion, such amazing cultural events not only give our life festive feeling, making it beautiful, but also improve reputation of Latvian capital - Riga. In the last years Riga is becoming more important as a cultural center, where relaxed atmosphere of European capital, historical architecture and modern art mix so well together».
For the second year around festival organizers were Igor Butman, Arkady Ukupnik; general producer Natalia Ukupnik.
Eleonora Gailisha Mass Media and Public Relations
Phone: +371-67020506
Fax: +371-67020563
E-mail:
[email protected]
