Leopolis jazz fest

From June 26 to 30, 2019 in Lviv the IX International Jazz Festival Leopolis Jazz Fest was held. Over 5 days, about 300 musicians from 15 countries performed on the stages of Leopolis Jazz Fest. ^[6]

Among the headliners of Leopolis Jazz Fest 2019: Adrien Brandeis - a young French jazz pianist and composer with many awards; Snarky Puppy, modern fusion and funk musicians, winners of three Grammy Awards; Etienne Mbappe & the Prophets - famous Cameroonian bass player and composer; American composer, arranger Kenny Barron with his quintet; pianist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer Jon Cleary and his band The Absolute Monster Gentlemen; world-famous pianist and composer, winner of 22 Grammy awards - Chick Corea with the project My Spanish Heart Band; American vocalist and pianist Peter Cincotti; one of the most famous British singers is Lisa Stansfield. ^{[7] [8]}

The sensation for the guests of the festival was the performance of the famous Canadian singer and pianist Diana Krall , who came to Ukraine for the first time. Together with her, a stellar lineup of musicians appeared on the stage, among them: Joe Lovano - one of the leading saxophonists of our time, the unique guitarist Marc Ribot, who plays music ranging from free jazz to rock music, Robert Hurst - one of the leading jazz double bass players, the owner of 7 Grammy Awards and renowned drummer Karriem Riggins. ^{[9] [10]}

The performance of one of the most famous vocal improvisers in the world, thanks to which the voice turned into a musical instrument - Bobby McFerrin with his program Gimme5 (circlesongs), was unusual and exciting. The concert hall in the park of Bogdan Khmelnitsky turned into an impromptu choir, numbering about 80 people. ^{[11] [12]}

Winner of the International Music Award “Leopolis Jazz Music Awards” named after Eddie Rosner in 2019 became Kenny Barron. ^[13]

For guests and residents of Lviv, there were two scenes in the city center with free access - in the Market Square and in the courtyard of the Potocki Palace. The concerts were held with the participation of leading European groups and groups from Austria, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Germany, Turkey, Hungary, France and Switzerland. Most of the performances on these stages have traditionally been supported by embassies and institutions. ^{[14] [15]}

For the festival guests, there were two free picnic areas where concerts of the main stage to them were broadcast on large LED screens. Eddie Rosner (picnic area on the main avenue of the park with the support of the Kyivstar company and Jazz Picnic in the territory of the Yunost stadium in the park named after Bogdan Khmelnitsky). Traditionally, a very rich program awaited the guests: a souvenir fair, entertainment for children with an interactive zone, master classes and a carousel, food courts, concerts of the winners of the street music festival. ^{[16] [17]}

On June 28, Constitution Day of Ukraine, TNMK, Vostok-Side and big band Dennis Adu performed on the Scene on Rynok Square with the exclusive show “Jazzy DeLuxe”. ^[18]

Traditionally, master classes for musicians and students at the Lviv National Music Academy named after Nikolai Lysenko took place within the Leopolis Jazz Fest. ^{[19] [20]}

For the first time at the Leopolis Jazz Fest festival, the most platform of Ukrainian brands - Vsі.Svoї - introduced a separate “gift territory” in the Jazz Picnic zone. ^[21]

From June 27 to July 1, 2018, the eighth International Jazz Festival under the new name Leopolis Jazz Fest was held in Lviv. Over 5 days, more than 170 musicians from 16 countries of the world performed on three city stages of Lviv.

Headliners of Leopolis Jazz Fest 2018: Charles Lloyd & the Marvels featuring Bill Frisell, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland and Greg Leisz - the Marvels star band and legendary American jazz avant-garde musician, saxophonist, flutist Charles Lloyd, Jamie Cullum - bright British vocalist, and composer, Ronnie Scotts Jazz Award winner, R + R = NOW (Reflect + Respond = Now) - a project by Robert Glasper, winner of three Grammy awards, Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin feat. Melvin Lee Davis and Wes Ritenour - one of the leading fusion and jazz guitarists, Grammy winner, Lee Ritenour, and American composer, arranger, producer, pianist and orchestra leader, ten-time Grammy Award winner, Dave Grusin, Ahmad Jamal - great American jazz pianist , composer and arranger, Jacob Collier - singer, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist, Mario Biondi - Italian soul vocalist, Stefano Bollani- Napoli Trip - a masterly Italian pianist, composer, singer and TV presenter who performed with the Napoli Trip project, Marcus Miller - America nsky jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, arranger, two-time Grammy winner. ^{[22] [23]}

Lars Danielsson Group Liberetto III & INSO-Lviv also performed on the stage of Leopolis Jazz Fest. Festival guests could watch a special exclusive program for the Leopolis Jazz Fest of the Swedish double bass player, bass player, cellist, composer and arranger Lars Danielsson together with the INSO Lviv Academic Symphony Orchestra. ^[24]

The best jazz artists from around the world performed on the stages of Leopolis Jazz Fest, including: USA, UK, Sweden, Ukraine, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, Israel, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Poland, Denmark, Lithuania, Luxembourg.

Winner of the International Music Award “Leopolis Jazz Music Awards” named after Eddie Rosner became Ahmad Jamal in 2018. ^[25]

Over the past few years, the tradition of the festival has been to hold concerts by popular Ukrainian performers on the occasion of Constitution Day of Ukraine. As part of the Leopolis Jazz Fest 2018 on June 28 on the stage at Pl. The market was performed by ONUKA . ^[26]

On July 1, on the occasion of Canada Day, the Embassy of Canada in Ukraine prepared a rich program for festival guests: a visit to Canada House / MaisonduCanada, a traditional pancake breakfast, an exhibition of the Canadian House, a street ice hockey rink, and performances by Canadian musicians. ^[27]

In 2018, Leopolis Jazz Fest began a partnership with USAID. The project of accessibility and environmental friendliness of the Leopolis Jazz Fest festival was implemented with the support of the “Join the Community!” Program of public activity. During the festival, trainings were held for staff and volunteers on the festival’s accessibility for people with disabilities and environmental awareness. ^{[28] The} festival was provided with the necessary infrastructure for people with disabilities: separate platforms at the stages, ramps, special rubber and metal carpets, accessible toilets.To promote environmental awareness at the Leopolis Jazz Fest Whether placed special containers for sorting and recycling waste, and a kids playground "Sort the together." ^[29]

By tradition, the festival had three picnic areas with free access, in which on large LED screens you can watch all the concerts of the main stage to them. Eddie Rosner. For the guests of the festival, master classes, numerous jams and film screenings of rare videos and jazz films were organized, which are annually prepared by the coryphaeus of the Ukrainian jazz movement Leonid Goldstein. ^{[30] [31]}

Also, Street music was held as part of the festival, where at three venues young musicians got the opportunity to speak in front of an audience on the street ^[32] .

From June 23 to 27, 2017, the seventh International Jazz Festival Alfa Jazz Fest was held in Lviv. Within 5 days, about 30 groups performed on the stages of Alfa Jazz Fest.

Among the headliners of Alfa Jazz Fest 2017: Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - multiple Grammy Award nominee and winner, as well as 2016 Award nominee; Buika - Spanish singer and composer, multiple Grammy nominee, winner of two Latin Grammys Awards, in 2017 nominated for Latin Grammys Awards 2016; Yellowjackets - one of the best in the world jazz groups of electric jazz, winners of five nominations and two Grammy Awards; China Moses , a well-known American vocalist, often gives concerts for the American branch of UNESCO; Gregory Porter - one of the most successful and popular jazz and soul music performers, an American singer and composer, received a Grammy in 2017 for the album “Take Me To The Alley” in the category “Best Jazz Vocal Album”; Chucho Valdes - the legendary Cuban virtuoso pianist, winner of six Grammys and three Latin Grammys; "Mare Nostrum" - a trio of Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano, Jan Lundgren; Herbie Hancock is an outstanding pianist and composer, a multiple winner of various awards, including a Grammy; The Chick Corea Elektric Band is a legendary group of 22-time Grammy Award winner Chick Corea on the piano and keyboards, Dave Vecle on the drums, John Patitucci on the bass, Eric Marienthal on the saxophone and Frank Gambale on the guitar. ^{[33] [34] [35]}

Also during the festival, a joint project of jazz legends and Ukrainian musicians was presented - Israeli jazz double bass player, composer, singer and arranger Avishai Cohen performed his plays together with the INSO-Lviv Academic Symphony Orchestra. ^[36]

Traditionally, in 2017, a wide geography of participants was presented: groups from Austria, Great Britain, Israel, Spain, Italy, Cuba, Germany, Luxembourg, the USA, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden performed at the festival. In just 5 days, the festival was visited by more than 200 musicians from 15 countries.

Winner of the International Music Award "Alfa Jazz Fest Awards" named after Eddie Rosner became Chucho Valdes in 2017. The award ceremony traditionally took place during the festival. ^{[37] [38]}

The guests of the festival were waiting for master classes, a photo exhibition, jazz film screenings and numerous jams. Also, the festival expands the duration every year. This time on the stage to them. E. Rosner and on the Market Stage concerts took place for 5 days, and on the Potocki Stage - 4 days.

To Constitution Day on the stage of the festival on Sq. On June 28, the famous Ukrainian singer, author and performer of her own songs Khristina Solovіy performed the market. ^[39]

Within the framework of the festival, three picnic areas with free access worked, in which on large LED screens you can watch all the concerts of the main stage to them. Eddie Rosner. ^[40] Upper and lower picnic areas, as well as the largest, Jazz Picnic in the territory of the Yunost stadium in the Park to them, were organized at a choice of guests. B. Khmelnitsky.

The sixth Alfa Jazz Fest International Jazz Festival was held June 24-28, 2016 in Lviv. Traditionally, the best jazz artists from the USA, Europe and Ukraine performed on three stages in the center of Lviv. ^[41]

2016 Alfa Jazz Fest headliners: Pat Metini with Antonio Sanchez , Linda O, Guillim Simcock ; the Branford Marsalis Quartet along with Kurt Elling ; Arturo Sandoval ; Diane Reeves and Peter Martin , Romero Lubambo , Reginald Vila, Terrion Galli; Esperanza Spaulding ; Michel Camilo’s trio and Lars Danielsson’s collective. ^{[42] [43]}

The festival traditionally held the ceremony of awarding the International Music Award "Alfa Jazz Fest Awards" to them. Eddie Rosner Winner of the Alfa Jazz Fest Awards. Eddie Rosner in 2016 became Pat Metini.

On Constitution Day, June 28, Jamala performed on the main stage of the festival with The Soul of Jamala. For the first time in the history of the festival, a Ukrainian artist performed as a headliner at the main concert venue Alfa Jazz Fest. ^{[44] [45]}

Also, as part of the event, the Street Music by Alfa Jazz Street Music Festival was held for the second time. To perform on street venues in Lviv, the organizers invited individual performers and young music groups of different styles. ^[46]

“By the sixth year, Alfa Jazz Fest reached a level where its scale is no longer measured simply by a certain number of concerts and human hours conducted by musicians on stage. This is not just a bold line in the cultural calendar of the year. This is a dose of healing broth that adds chances to a new life in jazz music in the country, ”Cultprostir chief editor Igor Panasov talks about the festival in Lviv, which has grown into a high jazz castle in six years. ^[47]

In 2016, The Guardian marked the festival in the list of the best European jazz festivals ^[1] .

The fifth anniversary jazz festival “Alfa Jazz Fest” was held on June 25-29, 2015. For five days, more than 100 musicians from 10 countries performed in Lviv: Germany, Austria, the USA, Japan, Sweden, Cuba, France, Poland and Ukraine. Among the most famous are the legends of American jazz, Herbie Hancock , George Benson , Wayne Shorter , Mike Stern , Cuban clarinet player Pacito D'Rivera , as well as Hiromi , a famous jazz pianist from Japan.

Winner of the International Music Award "Alfa Jazz Fest Awards" named after Eddie Rosner in 2015 became Herbie Hancock, an American jazz pianist and composer, winner of 14 Grammy awards, one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. The award ceremony traditionally took place during the festival in Lviv.

The fourth International Jazz Festival Alfa Jazz Fest was held June 12-15, 2014 in Lviv.

Headlining Alfa Jazz Fest 2014: Larry Carleton , Dee Dee Bridgewater , Elian Eliash , Miles Electric Band, Lucky Peterson , Charles Lloyd . ^[48]

Winner of the International Music Award "Alfa Jazz Fest Awards" named after Eddie Rosner in 2014 became Charles Lloyd.

The award ceremony was held on June 14, 2014. ^[49]

Concerts of the last day of the festival were canceled due to mourning declared in Ukraine for the dead Ukrainian military in the east of the state.

June 13-16, 2013 in Lviv hosted the third International Jazz Festival Alfa Jazz Fest.

Headliners Alfa Jazz Fest 2013: Dirty Dozen Brass Band (USA); Avishai Cohen (Israel); Til Brenner (Germany); Al Di Meola (USA); Charlie Hayden Quartet West (USA); Bobby McFerrin (USA).

June 15, 2013 at a gala concert the ceremony of awarding the International Music Prize "Alfa Jazz Fest Awards" named. Eddie Rosner In 2013, the Prize received Charlie Hayden - American double bass player, one of the most famous jazz musicians and composers, four-time winner of the Grammy Award.

June 1-3, 2012 the second International Jazz Festival Alfa Jazz Fest was held, which was attended by more than 30,000 guests from different countries.

Headliners Alpha Jazz Fest 2012: Kenny Garrett (USA), Richard Bona Band (Cameroon), Cassandra Wilson (USA), John Patitucci Trio (USA), Gino Vannelli Band (Canada), John McLaughlin the 4th Dimension (Great Britain).

In 2012, the festival for the first time held the presentation of the International Music Award “Alfa Jazz Fest Awards” named after Eddie Rosner ^[50] . The winner of the award was John McLaughlin - the legendary British guitarist playing in the style of jazz fusion.

The first Alfa Jazz Fest International Jazz Festival took place in Lviv on June 3-5, 2011 .

Headliners Alfa Jazz Fest 2011: Spyro Gyra (USA), John Scofield (USA), Ron Carter (USA), Bill Evans Soulgrass (USA), Jeff Lorber Fusion Superband (USA).

• Jazz in the eternal city, Expert Ukraine, 06/24/2013, No. 24
• Sounds of the City, Business, July 1, 2013, No. 26
• Songs that defeated death, Kommersant (Ukraine), 06/17/2013, No. 99

• Official site Leopolis Jazz Fest
• Leopolis Jazz Fest on Facebook