On 8–9 June, the Tallinn Children’s Jazz Festival Kräsh took place at the Estonian Youth Theatre. Over the two days, the festival featured performances by Karl Killing, Liis Lemsalu and Marta Lotta Kukk along with Genka and jazz musicians. In addition to the concerts, young attendees had the opportunity to meet musicians in person and participate in workshops, learning improvisation with Kadri Voorand and creating music with pocket synthesizers under the guidance of Iti Teder.
The main performers at the Children’s Music Festival Kräsh, held for the second time, included Karl Killing, the Liis Lemsalu Band, Sandra Sillamaa and Jalmar Vabarna, as well as Genka and Marta Lotta Kukk, who had specially arranged popular children’s songs in jazz style for the festival. The youngest audience members were delighted by clowns Piip and Tuut along with Siim Aimla’s trio at the Frog Song Concert, while youth groups from various music and hobby schools performed on the Youth to Youth stage.
Between the concerts, the workshops were filled with eager young learners. Under the guidance of Iti Teder, they could try making electronic music themselves, discover the rhythms of Indian drums with Arno Kalbus, and practice improvisation with the dazzling jazz singer Kadri Voorand. Participants could take a break in the Quiet Room by listening to music and drawing, or test their creativity and craft skills by building stage models. The meetings with Marta Lotta Kukk, Karl Killing, Valter Soosalu and Liis Lemsalu were lively and immediate, allowing fans of all ages to chat with the musicians.
The Tallinn Children’s Jazz Music Festival Kräsh was first held in 2023. Created jointly by Jazzkaar and Tallinn UNESCO City of Music, the festival aims to educate young audiences, inspire young musicians, and introduce jazz and popular music to children. Kräsh’s mission is to provide children and young people with a high-quality and educational concert programme, along with opportunities for participation and performance.