One of the oldest music festivals in Estonia, Jazzkaar will celebrate its 35th anniversary in April and announced today the main programme of the festival. In this festive atmosphere, Jazzkaar will bring to the audience new and exciting artists from both near and far, providing an opportunity for Estonian artists to realise their dreams and present their new creations. Fastest buyers can purchase tickets at a 50% discount!
Anne Erm, the artistic director of Jazzkaar, is eagerly awaiting the festival: “Jazzkaar is unique, just like every new spring is special. Although the festival celebrates its 35th anniversary, everything in the programme is new and worth discovering. I am excitedly awaiting the performances of new compositions by Estonian jazz musicians. Composer, singer and ensemble leader Bianca Rantala, winner of the first prize at the Nordic Composer Contest currently pursuing further studies in Finland, will present her composition Moral Paradox at the opening concert, expressing in musical language the emotions evoked by the current tumultuous world. New works by well-known composers Mingo Rajandi, Maria Faust and Janno Trump reflect in their own way the pain points of the human soul and the world. No artist is included in the programme without reason – different styles and thoughts, moments of reflection, but also party fun all belong to the festival. I am very pleased that our programme also includes the long-awaited collective radiating positive energy, Snarky Puppy, and of course, I am excited about the special experiences offered by all the artists.”
The festival will also feature exciting premieres. In addition to the opening concert Moral Paradox and the presentation concert of Janno Trump’s new album with JT Conception, How Far Can You Go, audiences will hear the debut programme of the freshly-formed trio Tafenau–Kass–Tammearu, the presentation of Estonian Voices’ new album, the first public concert of the duo Maria Faust & Kresten Osgood, and Mingo Rajandi’s new project Werewolves. Debuting at Jazzkaar will be young artists M-Group, Pennar Project and Reti Niimann Band. The first Jazzkaar in 1990 is commemorated by the Blues Parade, which at that time took place on the main stage of Linnahall. This time, the parade at Fotografiska will be led by Kaisa Ling Thing and guests. At this year’s family concert, children will embark on an adventurous journey with musicians Kadri Voorand and Silver Sepp.
Fresh trends in today’s jazz will be represented by European and American jazz stars performing at the festival: Snarky Puppy, Theo Croker, Eve Risser’s Red Desert Orchestra, Schaerer–Kalima–Meyer, Tobias Preisig, Christian McBride with his new ensemble, MonoNeon, Joep Beving and NoSax NoClar. There are plenty of artists to be inspired by. Among the audience favourites are singers with a distinctive style inspired by world music, jazz and soul, such as Ledisi from the USA, presenting a programme dedicated to the legendary Nina Simone; MARO from Portugal who has collaborated with both NOËP and Jacob Collier; Afra Kane from Italy, and Dora Morelenbaum from Brazil. As an exclusive gift for Jazzkaar’s 35th anniversary, a piano trio blending contemporary jazz and rock, Dock In Absolute, will fly to Tallinn from Luxembourg. We can also expect surprises from the new trio Boomcat featuring Liisi Koikson, Raun Juurikas and Martin Petermann, giving a joint concert with Canadian multi-instrumentalist of Estonian origin, DJ Erik Laar. As has become a tradition at Jazzkaar, this year’s anniversary festival also features a rich spectrum of styles and colours, from which each listener can pick their favourites. Jazzkaar’s home has been Telliskivi Creative City for the past 10 years, where the former Vaba Lava now carries the new name JAIK and the hall of Fotografiska Tallinn has been embraced as one of the coziest concert venues in Tallinn. The Creative City is constantly renewing itself, just like Jazzkaar.
Press photographs can be found HERE.
The 35th Tallinn International Festival Jazzkaar takes place from 21 to 28 April 2024 across Estonia. The festival hub is located in the inspiring Telliskivi Creative City, with concerts reaching audiences in Tartu, Pärnu, Viljandi and Türi. Fastest buyers will be able to purchase tickets at 50% discount, excluding tickets for previously announced performers such as Snarky Puppy, Christian McBride, Joep Beving & MonoNeon. Discounted tickets are available in limited quantities. Check out the festival’s programme and artists on our website. Stay updated on Jazzkaar’s activities on Facebook and Instagram. Tickets are available for purchase at Piletikeskus.
The main sponsors of the festival are JURA, Jazz Pesulad and Eesti Päevaleht. Annual sponsors are BMW Inchcape, Nordic Hotel Forum, Tallink and Aktaprint. Viru Keskus helps us bring the concert of Snarky Puppy to Estonia. The concert of MARO is presented by Seesam kindlustus. Telliskivi Creative City, Prike and Fotografiska Tallinn help us set up the festival hub. We are also supported by Reval Café, Kodupaber, Estonian Public Broadcasting, French Institute in Estonia, Pro Helvetia, City of Tartu, City of Pärnu, Ministry of Culture, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Tallinn – UNESCO City of Music and Enterprise Estonia.