The Voicingers festival has a long and tradition-rich past, and it seems to have fought its little but important corner in our jazz scene too, says the jazz singer and festival coordinator in Latvia Santa Šillere on Latvian Radio. She said: “In the first year Latvia received the festival very, very nicely. Last year, which was the second year, we seemed to be kicking off at a new level, and this year, in the third year, we have made a lot of surprises to the members and their listeners."
The five-day cycle is short, but long enough for people to come together, feel free, and perhaps dare to take new musical steps.
For the first year, there are participants from abroad – these “Voicinger” masterclasses in Europe are the only ones this summer, said Šillere.
Listeners cannot attend masterclasses but they can attend open jam sessions and concerts.
In festival concerts, Latvian artists – jazz pianist Toms Mikāls and drummer Pēteris Žīle will perform alongside musicians from Azerbaijan, China, Poland, Denmark, and Ukraine. Visitors will also hear the new jazz talents of Latvia every evening, including the vocalists Līga Kupča, the vibraphonist Miķelis Dzenuška, vocalists and saxophonists Karlīna Priedēna Priedin and pianist Matīss Žilinskis.
More information about the festival is available on its official website.
