Riga Jazz Stage 2015 Laureates!

The International Jazz Artist Contest "Riga Jazz Stage 2015" has concluded and laureates of both categories - "Jazz Vocal" and "Jazz Trumpet" – have been announced!

"Riga Jazz Stage 2015" took place from 9 to 11 April at cinema "Splendid Palace". This year the contest welcomed 24 young jazz talents from 13 different countries – 8 trumpeters and 16 vocalists. Each night concluded with a packed jam session at "Kaņepes Kultūras centrs" arts and music centre.

The jury decided to grant the “Jazz Vocal” Grand Prix to Daumants Kalniņš (Latvia) and “Jazz Trumpet” Grand Prix to Gerhard Ornig (Austria); he also received the Best Improvized Jazz Solo award and a gift card from the music store "nartiss.lv". Maestro Raimonds Pauls granted his special contest award to Polina Zizak (Russia) – EUR 1000.

"Riga Jazz Stage is an important jazz fixture in the calendar - up-and-coming jazz musicians should take note! I hope to come back soon!" - Anthony Strong

“Riga Jazz Stage 2015” awards and laureates:

Category “JAZZ VOCAL”

Grand Prix – Daumants Kalniņš (Latvia)

II place  – Polina Zizak (Russia)

III place - Ieva Paniulaitytė (Lithuania)

Special Prize of Maestro Raimonds Pauls - Polina Zizak (Russia)


Category “JAZZ  TRUMPET"

Grand Prix - Gerhard Ornig (Austria)

II place  - Pol Omedes (Spain)

III place – Oskars Ozoliņš (Latvia)

 

Radio “Pieci.lv” listener’s favourite prize -  Beāte Zviedre (Latvia)

The “Tele2” prize -  Magnuss Bauģis (Latvia).

Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia prize - Oskars Ozoliņš (Latvia).

 

Contestants received invitations to perform at festivals and jazz venues:

"Nardis Jazz Club" Turkey - Gerhard Ornig (Austria)

"Nomme Jazz" Estonia - Daumants Kalniņš (Latvia)

"Jazz Time" Estonia - Magnuss Bauģis (Latvia)

"Kaunas Jazz" Lithuania - Daumants Kalniņš (Latvia)

"Rigas Ritmi Festival" Latvia - Tamuz Nissim (Israel) and Magnuss Bauģis (Latvia)

"Jazz Voices" Lithuania - Kristina Trezune (Latvia)

 

Grand Prix award statue design - glass artist Dainis Gudovskis

 

Next year "Riga Jazz Stage 2016" categories – "Jazz Trombone" and "Jazz Vocal"!