Estonian-Russian jazz duet: Jaak Sooäär and Alexey Kruglov
On April 30, the International Jazz Day, a unique concert takes place in the border cities of Narva and Ivangorod on the Estonian-Russian border. Renowned jazz-musicians of the two countries – Estonian guitarist Jaak Sooäär and Russian saxophonist Alexey Kruglov – perform on both sides of the Narva river. The concert takes place in the Narva Castle on the Estonian side and in the Ivangorod Fortress on the Russian side.
The meeting of the two musicians on the banks of Narva river symbolises the fact that even in the conditions of the pandemic when physical movement between countries has become almost impossible, there are no borders between people. Music is what conquers hardships and unites people during difficult times.
Alexey Kruglov and Jaak Sooäär have been cooperating since 2007. Alexey Kruglov is a well-known jazz saxophonist in Russia. He is also a composer, film director, poet, actor, the leader of the “Krugly Band” and the organizer of the Leo Recordsfestival. Jaak Sooäär is a guitarist, composer and professor of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. They have released seven albums together and performed in USA, China, France, UK, Austria, Finland, Russia and Estonia. Both musicians have received several awards.
Narva Castle Museum website: https://www.narvamuuseum.ee/eng/muuseum/narva-linnus/events/muzyka-bez-granic-estonsko-rossijskij-duet-jaaka-soojaera-i-alekseja-kruglova/
FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1233832510364506
Photo (c) Anna Markova
