The public profiles of the contestants have been placed on the competition website rigajazz.lv, where you can find biographies, as well as listen to excerpts of their recordings.
The first concert of the Riga Jazz Stage competition, featuring Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian, American, British, German, Italian, Belgian, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Slovak, Slovenian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Turkish and South Korean artists, will take place on April 2, but the most recognized participants will perform in the final on April 3.
Performers in categories Jazz vocals and Jazz drums will be accompanied by Riga Jazz Quartet: one of the leading Latvian guitarists Artūrs Kutepovs, keyboard instrumentalist Kristaps Vanadziņš, double bassist and bass player Jānis Rubiks, as well as one of the most demanded drummers in Latvia Andris Buiķis.
"Riga Jazz Stage" has become an annual jazz festival where some truly high-profile yet unexplored jazz talents get some glory, while established international stars is performing at the gala concert.
This year's special guest at the gala concert on April 4 will be Grammy nominee, winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk competition, composer, singer and drummer Jamison Ross from the USA, who will give a master class in Riga and be part of a jury including artistic director of the competition Māris Briežkalns, artistic director of Nõmme Jazz Festival Toivo Unts (Estonia), director of Kaunas Jazz Festival Jonas Jučas (Lithuania), artistic director of Venice Jazz Festival Giuseppe Mormile (Italy), concert coordinator at London's Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club Paul Pace (UK), director of booking agency Just Jazz International Catherine Mayer (Germany) and artistic director of Istanbul's Nardis Jazz Club Önder Focan (Turkey). The jury's honorary representative will be Latvian music icon Raimonds Pauls, who will present his special prize, which this time will be a new hit recording at Latvian Radio 1 studio, with Raimonds Pauls as co-producer.
The competition prize fund includes cash prizes and invitations to perform at jazz festivals and music clubs around the world. The contestants started applying from November 10 last year, when tickets for Riga Jazz Stage 2020 concerts were also went on sale at Biļešu serviss box offices and on the internet at www.bilesuserviss.lv.
The event is organized by the foundation Mūsdienu mūzikas centrs (Modern Music Center), supported by Riga City Council, VKKF, Tele 2, Freeport of Riga Authority, A&T Music and Olainfarm.
