The Tallinn International Festival Jazzkaar will return for its 36th edition from 20 April to 1 May 2025, with the first artists now announced! Estonia’s largest jazz celebration will open with Kristjan Randalu’s programme Marginalia and Dividends, while the charismatic saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin will deliver a performance of unmatched quality. The headliner of Jazzkaar, American singer Jazzmeia Horn, will present her newly released album in Tallinn. Tickets are now on sale, with the “Young Jazz Fan” ticket offering a 50% discount for 7- to 20-year-olds!
“In spring 2025, Jazzkaar will once again showcase the most exciting and contemporary musicians from Estonia and abroad,” says the festival’s artistic director, Anne Erm, with enthusiasm. “The charismatic saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, with her numerous awards, technical brilliance, and boundless creativity, proves that women can excel and thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields. The award-winning singer Jazzmeia Horn breathes new life into jazz classics, infusing them with her extraordinary voice and fresh interpretations. Estonian jazz master Kristjan Randalu continues to surprise audiences with his unique takes on classics. This time, he draws inspiration from the works of Estonian contemporary classical composer Jaan Rääts.”
At the opening concert of the spring Jazzkaar on 20 April at Von Krahl, Kristjan Randalu will present new interpretations of composer Jaan Rääts’ 1981 miniature compositions, Marginalia. Randalu’s first arrangements of Marginalia date back to his teenage years in Germany. Now, as an acclaimed and experienced musician, his Marginalia and Dividends is stage-ready. For the opening concert, Norwegian guitarist-electronic artist Eivind Aarset will travel to Estonia. Aarset and Randalu have performed together for five years in Dhafer Youssef’s ensemble. Joining them on stage will be Taavi Kerikmäe on synthesisers, Mihkel Mälgand on double bass, and Hans Kurvits on drums.
Five-time Grammy nominee and saxophone virtuoso Lakecia Benjamin will arrive at Jazzkaar with her band, delivering an incredible blend of energy, intensity, and precision. At the festival, Benjamin will present her album, Phoenix Reimagined (Live), which was nominated for two Grammy Awards this year and features live renditions of tracks from her studio album, Phoenix. “Recording this album took me back to the early years of my musical journey – it was like a true New York jam session in the studio. It reminded me why I love music,” Benjamin has said. Now, Estonian audiences will have the chance to experience this unique atmosphere live on 22 April at Von Krahl during Jazzkaar!
Jazzkaar’s headliner, the extraordinary Jazzmeia Horn, will arrive in Estonia on 1 May with the support of Viru Keskus. She will present her long-awaited studio album, Messages, released in October, at the Alexela Concert Hall. Horn is regarded as one of the finest interpreters of jazz classics in a fresh and innovative way – a jazz princess whose beautiful and laser-precise intonation, innovative melodic phrasing, and unique stage charisma leave an unforgettable impression on every Jazzkaar listener!
The 36th Tallinn International Festival Jazzkaar 2025 will take place from 20 to 26 April at Telliskivi Creative City, with concerts held in the halls of Von Krahl (formerly Vaba Lava) and Fotografiska Tallinn. The festival will conclude on 1 May with a performance by the headliner, Jazzmeia Horn, at the Alexela Concert Hall. The full programme for the spring Jazzkaar will be announced in the first days of February.
Tickets are now on sale on the Jazzkaar website, with discounted prices available until 31 December! As part of the new festival offerings, Jazzkaar is introducing a new ticket category, “Young Jazz Fan”, which allows all music enthusiasts aged 7–20 to purchase tickets to Jazzkaar concerts at a 50% discount!
Press photos can be found HERE. Stay updated on Jazzkaar’s activities through our website, Facebook, and Instagram.
The festival’s main sponsors are JURA, Jazz Pesulad, and Eesti Päevaleht. Annual supporters include United Motors, Nordic Hotel Forum, Tallink, and Aktaprint. Jazzmeia Horn’s concert is brought to Estonia with the support of Viru Keskus. Telliskivi Creative City, Prike, and Fotografiska Tallinn help us set up the festival hub. Additional support comes from Seesam Insurance, Piletikeskus, Reval Café, Kodupaber, and Estonian Public Broadcasting. The festival is also supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Tallinn – UNESCO City of Music, and Enterprise Estonia.