Rigas Ritmi

In its 20th anniversary year, Rigas Ritmi Festival offers a grand program - a selection of music gourmets. This year's festival will feature Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca and vocalist Danay Suarez, American singer Shenel Johns as well as Grammy nominees and world music super group Bokante. The world-famous music producer Quincy Jones will present a special gift on the anniversary of the festival, offering listeners to enjoy the extraordinary vocals of young American singer Clark Beckham. Festival visitors will also be delighted by charismatic Swedish jazz singer Liselotte Östblom, Tom Syson, as well as young Latvian artists Gints Smukais, Rihards Libietis Orchestra, Very Cool People, and many others…

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In its 20th anniversary year, Rigas Ritmi Festival offers a grand program - a selection of music gourmets. This year's festival will feature Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca and vocalist Danay Suarez, American singer Shenel Johns as well as Grammy nominees and world music super group Bokante. The world-famous music producer Quincy Jones will present a special gift on the anniversary of the festival, offering listeners to enjoy the extraordinary vocals of young American singer Clark Beckham. Festival visitors will also be delighted by charismatic Swedish jazz singer Liselotte Östblom, Tom Syson, as well as young Latvian artists Gints Smukais, Rihards Libietis Orchestra, Very Cool People, and many others…

During these years, the Rigas Ritmi Festival has become an essential part of Latvian and Baltic cultural life, recording the name of Riga in the tourist guides and jazz culture. Over two decades, more than 600 musicians from around the world have performed in 1000 concerts, which have been enjoyed by more than 200 thousand spectators.

Rigas Ritmi Festival is a real musical celebration with performances of outstanding artists, including - Bobby McFerrin, Diane Reeves, “Take 6”, Richard Bona, “BBC Big Band”, Avishai Cohen, Patti Austin, Scott Hamilton, Freddy Cole, “The Yellowjackets”, Victor Wooten, Buika, Astillero, Jojo Mayer, Medeski Martin & Wood, Robert Glasper, Diane Schuur, as well as the greatest Latvian musicians, and as stated before – new talent.

The idea of an international contemporary jazz and improvisation music festival in Riga was initiated by Latvian jazz musician and producer Maris Briezkalns, who currently holds the position of the festival’s artistic director, as well as remains the driving force behind the festival today.

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