The 24th international improvisation, jazz and global music festival Rīgas Ritmi took place this year from July 3 to 6, offering a total of 15 musically high-quality concerts at four locations in the Latvian capital, as well as several master classes at the Latvian Radio Studio 1.
Both brilliant foreign artists and excellent domestic musicians performed at the festival this year. The central concert venue was the Riga Cathedral Garden, where on July 4 and 5 the Italian bandoneonist Daniele di Bonaventura together with the Latvian chamber orchestra Sinfonietta Rīga, the Italian-British guitarist Antonio Forcione, the Cuban pianist Jorge Luis Pacheco and the American singer José James performed.
Each concert had its own, special atmosphere, but the unexpected rain during Antonio Forcione’s performance became a special challenge. The result after the concert was best described by the artist himself: “Concert in Riga was something else… A sudden downpour that caught us all by surprise, couldn’t dampen our spirits! The beautiful Cathedral Garden was alive with the sound of music and the sight of the most incredible audience. People didn’t just stand there and watch; they danced, turning the evening into an unforgettable celebration which I’ll cherish for a long time. A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who gave us such an amazing welcome! Riga, you have a special place in my heart.”
José James also did not hide his joy about the start of the tour of his new album 1978 exactly in Riga: “Rīgas Ritmi is a superb festival in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I’m truly grateful to all the wonderful fans and music lovers in Riga!”
Rīgas Ritmi 2024 concerts were also held in the art center Noass, where the label Jersika Records offered the performance of its artists. The quartet of clarinetist Indriķis Veitners and vibrophonist Ēriks Miezis, trombonist Vadims Dmitrijev’s quartet and saxophonist Toms Rudzinskis’ quartet performed there, all of whom offered their newest programs.
Also, the festival concerts took place in the Lounge Fenikss at the Aston Hotel Riga and in the Riga Jazz Lounge at the Radisson Blu Latvija hotel, giving both foreign guests and local audiences the opportunity to appreciate the surprising qualities of Latvia’s new generation of jazz and improvisational music.
The master classes led by the main guest artists of the festival took place in the Latvian Radio Studio 1, which turned into an exclusive opportunity to meet world-class musicians and learn a lot about their creative activity and extraordinary skills.
“It’s rare to get so close to the musicians’ thoughts!” admitted German journalist Angela Ballhorn who is writing for Swiss jazz magazine Jazz’n’More. “The fact that singer José James lets you take part in the process of creating a song, from the first beatbox grooves to the finished piece, was absolutely fascinating. Jorge Luis Pacheco’s long practice sessions for today’s virtuosity, the search for melodies and inspiration from Daniele di Bonaventura and Antonio Forcione – an absolute enrichment to the evening concerts!”
After the entire concert program of the festival was concluded, artistic director Māris Briežkalns summed up: “It's always a pleasure when someone comes up after attending a concert and says – this was the best concert in my life! This happened several times this year as well. It is also gratifying when the European Festivals Association awards the EFFE quality label for a high-quality program and professional organization. But the greatest joy for me is our team and supporters, without whom the music festival would not be possible. I definitely want to highlight Daniele di Bonaventura and Sinfonietta Rīga joint project Tango Suite, also the first concert of the José James’ new album tour, as well as young Latvian artists and valuable guest artist master classes. It gives the necessary energy to continue!”
The music festival Rīgas Ritmi will celebrate its 25th anniversary in July next year, but this fall will offer the Art of Riga Jazz concert series, where the Italian pianist Emiliano D'Auria, Polish-Canadian pianist Alexandra Streliski and Italian pianist and singer Francesca Tandoi will perform. Tickets for the concerts scheduled for October and November can already be purchased at bilesuparadize.lv.
