Public voting for Riga Jazz Stage 2020 contestants has started

In cooperation with the long-term partner of the competition - Latvian mobile operator Tele2 - from February 11th, public voting for the participants of the international jazz contest Riga Jazz Stage 2020 has started to find out the audience's sympathy. You can vote for your favourite on the contest website: www.rigajazz.lv

The annual spring jazz celebration will be held April 2 - 4 at the Splendid Palace cinema in Riga. Viewers can vote once a day for their sympathy in both nominations. In the Contestants section of the website www.rigajazz.lv you can listen to the compositions of this year's participants and get acquainted with their creative biography, thus making a best choice. The winner of the prize will be announced at a competition awards ceremony on April 4, and will receive a gift from Tele2 - iPhone 11 Pro smartphone.

In the vocal category, 14 vocalists and 13 drummers will compete this year for victory in both the competition and the audience vote. As it is usual for the organizing country, most participants are from Latvia - vocalists Karīna Laugale and Katrīna Kabiņecka and drummers Kristaps Janis Sokolovs, Mareks Logins, Pauls Pokratnieks, Sanijs Bondars and Sigvards Dižais.

The neighboring country Lithuania will be represented by singer Žemyna Krukonyte and drummer Azuolas Paulauskas. Drummer Mikhail Nikitin from Estonia and singer Akulina Andreyeva from Belarus will also participate in the competition.

Four contestants will represent Italy - vocalists Sara Simionato and Valentina Fin, while the character of the Italian drum school will be presented by Cristian Tiozzo Caenazzo Anzolin and Giovanni Paolo Liguori. Turkey will be represented by singer Cagla Karaali and percussionist Mehmet Ali Simaili. Also in the vocal category will participate Alina Zalozna from Ukraine, Aleksandra Smerechanska from Poland, Amanda Becker from Germany, Eva Halcinova from Slovakia, Louise Balkwill from the UK and Emma Hedrick from the USA. The only male representative in the vocal competition will be Matevž Vidic from Slovenia. Finland will be represented by drummer Jonatan Sarikoski, Denmark by Matias Fischer-Mogensen and Belgium by Yannick Ballmann.

The Riga Jazz Stage Competition with all new talent will take place on April 2, and the Final with the jury nominated on April 3. The award ceremony and concert by guest - celebrated American singer and drummer Jamison Ross - will take place on April 4.

Tickets for Riga Jazz Stage 2020 can be purchased online at www.bilesuserviss.lv

The event is organized by the foundation Mūsdienu mūzikas centrs (Modern Music Center), supported by Riga City Council, VKKF, Tele2, Freeport of Riga Authority, A&T Music and Olainfarm.

Useful links:
Contest website: http://www.rigajazz.lv
Tickets: https://ej.uz/rjsbiletes

Photo: Turkish singer Cagla Karaali who is also a drummer