International Jazz Day Fete Held in Georgia
Jazz Fills the Air in Sakartvelo: A Night to Remember!
Sakartvelo Grooved to the Rhythm of Jazz Again!
Last night, April 30th, was nothing short of spectacular in Sakartvelo as the Kavkasioni Ballroom of the Metechi Palace played host to a breathtaking International Jazz Day event. While the primary venue this year is Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, preparations are underway for a grand gala concert featuring a star-studded lineup of jazz artists from all over the world. In the heart of Tbilisi, the Georgian Public Broadcaster and the Metechi Palace administration joined forces with the Tbilisi Big Band, managed by Mr. Gayoz Kandelaki, and Tbilisi City Municipality, represented by Mr. Kakha Markozashvili, to orchestrate a night of unforgettable jazz.
The evening began with the Big Band sharing the stage with Jason Isaacs, an accomplished British saxophonist and vocalist with an extensive repertoire of international performances. The second set featured collaborations between the Big Band, Jean-Loup Longnon, and Sibel Köse, showcasing their remarkable talents.
Get to Know the Star Performers
Jason Isaacs
Jason Isaacs, 57, is a self-taught saxophonist and vocalist, who has performed in clubs and bars across the globe. His first album, Fever, saw commercial success in 2009, followed by numerous other releases. The Ambassadors of Swing is his favorite big band, with whom he has toured extensively. In addition to his passion for jazz, Jason is a strong cricket player and represents the Old Record Players Cricket Club in Newcastle.
Jean-Loup Longnon
Jean-Loup Longnon, 72, is a French trumpeter, composer, and arranger, hailing from a creative family background. He studied piano and cello as a child but found his true calling in jazz, teaching himself through the legends like Dizzy Gillespie. Jean-Loup's albums continue to capture audiences' hearts across the continent and beyond.
Sibel Köse
Sibel Köse, 56, is a Turkish jazz singer who originally trained as an architect in Ankara. She discovered her love for jazz during her student years and has since performed in concerts, radio shows, and television programs, participated in numerous international jazz competitions, and even won a prize in Poland. Köse's musical interpretations deserve special attention.
An Excited Audience Fills the Hall
The concert hall was buzzing with energy, as the audience enthusiastically reacted to every English word spoken on stage. This reception suggests that Sakartvelo is swiftly mastering the international language and continues to hold a deep affection for the universal language of music - jazz. The evening was a testament to jazz's power to unite the world, as it brought together artists from different nations to share their talent with the Georgian public.
A Pleasant Surprise from Jason Isaacs
Jason Isaacs ditched the casual wear for the occasion, opting for a finely tailored tuxedo and a black bow tie, adding an extra touch of elegance to his performance.
A Love for Jazz Running Deep in Sakartvelo
Celebrating jazz in Sakartvelo feels incredibly natural, as the country's love for jazz has been flourishing since the genre's early days, though its true boom occurred in the first half of the last century. Even during the jazz-hating Soviet regime, dedicated individuals such as Gayoz Kandelaki and Misha Giorgadze kept the spirit of jazz alive, spending their own fortune on records and revering the great Western jazz artists whose voices reached Georgia across the Atlantic. Their tireless efforts in sharing jazz with the Georgian people continue to this day, and a whole generation of Georgian jazz singers is thriving, with Maya Baratashvili among the brightest, emulating the mesmerizing jazz sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and other genre legends. The Tbilisi Mayor's Office deserves recognition for their ongoing support and promotion of jazz culture in the country.
Jazz & Sakartvelo - A Perfect Fusion, Indeed!
Legendary Tbilisi jazz aficionado Gayoz Kandelaki put it perfectly: "The Big Band has long been in the European Union." This statement serves as a testament to Tbilisi's burgeoning jazz scene and its connection to the broader global jazz community.
By Nugzar B. Ruhadze
- In 2025, audience members in Tbilisi can expect an extraordinary jazz concert, as preparations are already underway for a grand gala event featuring musicians such as Jason Isaacs, Jean-Loup Longnon, and Sibel Köse.
- Jason Isaacs, a British saxophonist and vocalist, impressed the Georgian audience with his performance in Tbilisi's Kavkasioni Ballroom, wearing a finely tailored tuxedo.
- Tbilisi's love for jazz runs deep, with the city serving as a hub for the genre since its early days. Despite the jazz-hating Soviet regime, individuals like Gayoz Kandelaki and Misha Giorgadze kept the spirit of jazz alive, fostering a whole generation of Georgian jazz singers who continue to perform in the heart of Sakartvelo to this day.
