The Christmas Jazz festival programme is now live! From 25 November to 15 December, music lovers can enjoy 17 exciting concerts. Highlights include the electrifying American jazz singer Veronica Swift, British organ virtuoso Kit Downes, the premiere of Siim Aimla’s new work in celebration of his 50th birthday, the anniversary bash for Rita Ray’s acclaimed debut album, and conductor Kaspar Mänd’s grand special project, Zappa!. Tickets are on sale now, with a 40% discount for early birds!
“Christmas Jazz warms listeners’ hearts and fulfills several of Jazzkaar’s long-held dreams. For the first time, legendary jazz icons Dave Holland and Zakir Hussain will perform in Estonia, joining Chris Potter in a sonic journey blending Indian ragas with jazz. Exciting new voices like Veronica Swift and Lady Blackbird will take the stage, while the enchanting music of English organist-pianist Kit Downes will offer a soothing escape,” says artistic director Anne Erm, who is thrilled with this year’s programme. She adds that Estonian musicians will give strong competition to the international stars at Christmas Jazz.
The festival kicks off on 25 November with international stars – bassist Dave Holland, tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain and saxophonist Chris Potter performing as the Crosscurrents Trio at the Estonia Concert Hall. On Friday, 29 November, American jazz sensation Veronica Swift will light up the Noblessner Seafront Quarter with her energetic and fearless show. On 1 December, Cuban pianist and composer Alfredo Rodriguez will bring vibrant warmth to help audiences forget the winter chill. For a festive mood, head to the Niguliste Museum on 4 December for a concert by award-winning British composer and organist Kit Downes. Then, on 7 December, with support from NOBE, the powerful diva Lady Blackbird makes her Estonian debut, presenting her newly released second album, Slang Spirituals.
Christmas Jazz highlights exciting collaborations between Estonian and international artists. On 30 November, Finnish trumpeter Verneri Pohjola, renowned drummer Mika Kallio and Estonian pianist Kirke Karja will join forces at the Kumu Auditorium to perform the live score for Perttu Saksa’s documentary Animal Image. That same evening, Estonian vocalist Anett Tamm will collaborate with French guitarist David Chevallier’s trio to present their joint project Borders. On 3 December, UNESCO Cities of Music Tallinn and Hannover bring a special partnership between Jazzkaar and Jazzwoche Hannover, showcasing German organist and composer Lutz Krajenski’s trio, krajenski.3, alongside Estonia’s newly named Jazz Musician of the Year, Karmen Rõivassepp.
The Christmas Jazz festival programme showcases a strong representation of Estonian musicians, their new compositions and special projects. On 29 November, soul artist Rita Ray will celebrate the 5th anniversary of her highly acclaimed debut album Old Love Will Rust at the Noblessner Foundry’s Nobel Hall. On 1 December, the sound of a classical female choir will blend with the captivating harmonies of a jazz trio, as Kammernaiskoor Sireen, along with Artiss Boriss, Janno Trump and Ramuel Tafenau, present their program Making Waves. Celebrating Siim Aimla’s 50th birthday, the jubilee concert will feature Aimla alongside Marianne Leibur, the MUBA vocal ensemble and the Estonian Dream Big Band, premiering Aimla’s new work 21st Century Blues. The festival will reach beyond Tallinn, with Hedvig Hanson, Marek Talts and Taavo Remmel performing their programme Arrival at Niguliste Church, Viljandi Baptist Church and Tartu St. John’s Church. In Pärnu’s Endla Küün, audiences can enjoy a poetic and musical fusion with Guido Kangur and Oleg Pissarenko. On 14 December, Pissarenko will also perform at the Kumu Auditorium, presenting his album Music of Your Condition on guitar and piano.
Christmas Jazz will culminate on 15 December with the spectacular special project Zappa!. Conducted by Kaspar Mänd and featuring soloists Vaiko Eplik and Valter Soosalu, alongside a 30-member orchestra and an all-star jazz ensemble, this performance will explore one of the 20th century’s greatest musical enigmas, Frank Zappa. The concert will feature a mix of his vocal and instrumental works.
Christmas Jazz will run from 25 November to 15 December, bringing concerts to music lovers not only in Tallinn but also in Tartu, Viljandi and Pärnu. Stay updated on Jazzkaar’s events via our website, Facebook and Instagram. Tickets are available on the Jazzkaar website, with a limited number of early-bird tickets at a 40% discount (excluding previously announced performers Crosscurrents Trio and Lady Blackbird).
The main sponsors of Christmas Jazz are JURA, Jazz Pesulad and Eesti Päevaleht. Annual sponsors include BMW Inchcape, Tallink, Aktaprint and Nordic Hotel Forum. NOBE is helping to bring Lady Blackbird’s concert to Estonia, while the Zappa! special project is supported by UG Investments. Noblessner Seafront Quarter is providing support for the concerts at the Nobel Hall. Christmas Jazz is also supported by Reval Café, Haage Vesi, ERR, the French Institute in Estonia, the Cities of Tartu and Pärnu, the Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and Tallinn UNESCO City of Music.