Beginning tomorrow, 25 November, Christmas Jazz 2021 will tune the listeners in to the holiday spirit. The true treats of the festival are three tribute concerts for legendary musicians, Louis Armstrong, Jaco Pastorius, Bill Evans and Monica Zetterlund. International jazz stars Marc Ribot and Salvador Sobral will present their latest albums. The opening week of the festival includes concerts by jonas.f.k, Tobias Tammearu Trio, Estrada Orchestra and Jason Hunter Band with soloists.
Taking place for the 26th time, this year’s Christmas Jazz will take place in Tartu, Viljandi, Pärnu, Paide, Haapsalu and Põlva besides Tallinn, with a total of 20 concerts in its programme. “We are happy that the virus is gradually receding and this year’s Christmas Jazz will take place in its well-known excellence with international and Estonian artists. The festival presents renowned saxophonist Daniel Erdmann with his trio, Portuguese singer-composer Salvador Sobral, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, and American guitar legend Marc Ribot with his trio, Ceramic Dog. The Estonian audience will have a special opportunity to be among the first in Europe to hear the music from their new albums, Sobral’s bmp and Ribot’s Hope,” Anne Erm, Artistic Director of the festival introduces the headliners of this year’s Christmas Jazz.
jonas.f.k will introduce his new album TLL.02, performing with an expanded line-up and, for the first time, a full-length programme. Known for their spontaneous improvisations, the Estrada Orchestra will play music from their new atmospheric album Playground in addition to earlier songs. UMA will present their fifth album, Wishing Well for the first time in Tallinn. Jazz lovers will be also delighted with special concerts by Pillikud, whose musical inspiration ranges from folk culture to jazz; Trio Maag with the Spanish singer Isabel Bermejo, taking us on an adventure in Latin American soundscapes; and Tobias Tammearu Trio, bringing new currents in a traditional jazz trio.
Tribute concerts at Christmas Jazz will pay homage to musicians of the last century, whose creation and interpretation have influenced the development of jazz. This year marks 120 years since the birth and 50 years since the death of one of America’s most beloved jazz musicians, trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong. Jason Hunter Band with soloists Sofia Rubina, Jan Uuspõld and Allan Järve will interpret the music of the legend. On 1 December, 70 years will pass since the birth of Jaco Pastorius, one of the most special and influential jazz bass guitarists and composers in the world. Brilliant Estonian bassists Janno Trump, Raul Vaigla and Mihkel Mälgand will pay homage to the talent who died at a young age. Liina Saar will give a heartfelt performance of the music from the iconic album, Waltz for Debby, a collaboration between Swedish film and jazz star Monica Zetterlund and American pianist Bill Evans with his trio. Several songs will be performed with Estonian lyrics for the first time.
In order to ensure a safe festival experience, only visitors who have passed the infection safety check can attend to the concerts in accordance with the established regulations. Christmas Jazz 2021 welcomes people who have completed a vaccination course or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past six months.
The 26th Christmas Jazz 2021 festival will nourish our souls from 25 November to 14 December. Please see the festival programme and introductions of the artists on our website. Tickets for Christmas Jazz 2021 can be purchased at Piletilevi sales points and online at www.piletilevi.ee.
The main sponsors of Christmas Jazz are JURA, Jazz Pesulad and Eesti Päevaleht. Our annual sponsors are BMW Inchcape, Tallink, Aktaprint and Nordic Hotel Forum. We are also supported by Reval Café and Estonian Public Broadcasting. The French Institute will help us bring the musicians of their country to Estonia. We would like to thank the Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the City of Tallinn for their support.
Main programme of Christmas Jazz 2021:
Daniel Erdmann Velvet Revolution feat. Jaak Sooäär (Germany–France–UK–Estonia); Estrada Orchestra; Jason Hunter Band feat. Sofia Rubina, Jan Uuspõld, Allan Järve, In the Footprints of Louis Armstrong; Janno Trump, Raul Vaigla, Mihkel Mälgand & Band, Tribute to Jaco Pastorius; jonas.f.k; Liina Saar, Tribute to Monica Zetterlund; Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog, Hope (USA); Pillikud; Salvador Sobral (Spain); Tobias Tammearu Trio; Trio Maag & Isabel Bermejo (Estonia–Spain); UMA feat. Markku Ounaskari