Jazz Artists Competition 9–11 April 2015

The aim of RIGA JAZZ STAGE is to provide young musicians with the opportunity to test their skills in an international competition alongside young jazz performers from various countries around the world. RIGA JAZZ STAGE is not a popular music talent competition; it promotes the jazz music genre and raises awareness of it in Latvia and beyond. 

By organising a competition for young jazz artists, performers are offered not only an excellent opportunity to become part of the cultural life of the Baltic States and neighbouring countries—it also serves as an incentive to develop their skills and talents. The competition is also an excellent opportunity to promote Latvia’s name on the international stage, as well as giving young musicians the opportunity to establish contacts with widely recognised artists, producers and festival organisers.

The International Competition for Young Jazz Artists was founded in 2004.

In 2013, the competition was revived under the new name “Riga Jazz Stage”, bringing together musically outstanding contestants not only from Latvia and the Baltic States, but from across Europe.

This project gives young talents the opportunity to prove themselves in jazz music, gain recognition and stage experience, and present themselves internationally.

The competition jury consists of professional musicians, music producers, festival organisers and teachers from  the United States, Latvia, Finland, Switzerland, Estonia and Lithuania. The jury has included Terri Lyne Carrington, Giorgio Serci,  Jojo Mayer, Mandy Gaines, Jyrki Kangas, Peter Basler, Johanna Iivanainen, Önder Focan, Raimonds Pauls and many others.