Leopolis Jazz Fest

Leopolis Jazz Fest (Alfa Jazz Fest till 2017)
Genre Jazz
Dates last weekend of June
Location(s) Lviv, Ukraine
Years active 2011–present
Founded by Mikhail Fridman
Website
Official website

Leopolis Jazz Fest (till 2017 the festival was called Alfa Jazz Fest) is an international jazz festival, annually held in June in Lviv (Ukraine). The first festival was held in 2011. The Guardian included Alfa Jazz Fest in the list of the best European festivals.[1]

The initiator of the festival was Mikhail Fridman, a businessman, co-founder of LetterOne, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Alfa Group Consortium. He was born in Lviv. As the founder of the festival, Mikhail Fridman is a member of the Supervisory Board of the festival.[2]

The title sponsor of the festival until 2018 was Alfa Bank Ukraine, and therefore the festival was called Alfa Jazz Fest. In 2017, it was decided to rename the festival for Leopolis Jazz Fest to indicate its venue (Leopolis is one of the ancient names of Lviv).[3]

The festival takes place on three stages:

• the main festival stage in the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Culture Park: the stage bears the name of famous Soviet jazz musician Eddie Rosner (ticket required)

• a stage on the central square of the city: Market Square (free entrance)

• a stage in a historic part of the city: Pototski Palace square (free entrance)

In addition to concerts of jazz musicians from around the world, jam sessions, master-classes and autograph sessions of world jazz stars take place during the festival as well.

An annual awards ceremony, «Leopolis Jazz Music Awards» dedicated to Eddie Rosner («Alfa Jazz Music Awards» till 2017) is held during gala concert of the festival in Lviv. These awards are established to honour the artists who have made significant contribution to the development of jazz music. The winner is selected by a wide range of experts, including music critics, prominent culture persons, public and government officials, journalists and entrepreneurs from different countries.[4]

History

Alfa Jazz Fest 2017

From June 23 till June 27 the seventh International Jazz Festival Alfa Jazz Fest was held in Lviv.[5]

Among the headliners of Alfa Jazz Fest 2017: Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band; Buika; Yellowjackets; China Moses; Gregory Porter; Chucho Valdes; trio Mare Nostrum: Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano, Jan Lundgren; Herbie Hancock; Chick Corea Elektric Band.

Also within the festival a joint project of jazz legends and Ukrainian musicians was presented - the Israeli jazz contrabassist, composer, singer and arranger Avishai Cohen performed his plays together with the Academic Symphony Orchestra "INSO-Lviv".[6]

Traditionally, in 2017 a wide geography of participants was presented: bands from Austria, Great Britain, Israel, Spain, Italy, Cuba, Germany, Luxembourg, USA, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Sweden participated in the festival. In total for 5 days the festival was attended by more than 200 musicians from 15 countries worldwide.

The owner of the International Music Award "Alfa Jazz Fest Awards" dedicated to Eddie Rosner in 2017 became Chucho Valdes. The award ceremony traditionally took place during the festival days.

Also master classes, photo exhibitions, jazz film shows and jams sessions were held within the Alfa Jazz Fest 2017.

Alfa Jazz Fest 2016

The 6th International jazz festival Alfa Jazz Fest was held on June 24–28, 2016 in Lviv.[7] Traditionally the best jazz performers of the United States, Europe and Ukraine performed at the three stages in the center of Lviv.

Headliners of Alfa Jazz Fest 2016: PAT METHENY with Antonio Sanchez, Linda Oh & Gwilym Simcock, BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET WITH SPECIAL GUEST KURT ELLING, ARTURO SANDOVAL 10 TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER, DIANNE REEVES with Peter Martin, Romero Lubambo, Reginald Veal, Terreon Gully, ESPERANZA SPALDING presents: EMILY` S D + EVOLUTION.[8]

The ceremony of the International Music Award «Alfa Jazz Fest Awards» dedicated to Eddie Rosner was traditionally held within the festival. The winner of «Alfa Jazz Fest Awards» dedicated to Eddie Rosner in 2016 became Pat Metheny.

Alfa Jazz Fest 2015

The fifth anniversary jazz festival «Alfa Jazz Fest» was held on June 25–29, 2015. More than 100 musicians from 10 countries (Germany, Austria, the USA, Japan, Sweden, Cuba, France, Poland and Ukraine) performed in Lviv during five festival days. Among the most famous - American jazz legends: Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Wayne Shorter, Mike Stern, Cuban clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera and Hiromi, famous jazz pianist from Japan.

The winner of the International Music Award «Alfa Jazz Fest Awards» dedicated to Eddie Rosner in 2015 became Herbie Hancock, American jazz pianist and composer, 14-time Grammy Award winner, one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.[9] The awarding ceremony was traditionally held during the festival in Lviv.

Alfa Jazz Fest 2014

The 4th International jazz festival Alfa Jazz Fest was held on June 12–15, 2014 in Lviv.

Headliners Alfa Jazz Fest 2014: Larry Carlton, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eliane Elias, Miles Electric Band, Lucky Peterson, Charles Lloyd.[10]

In 2014 the winner of the International Music Award «Alfa Jazz Fest Awards» dedicated to Eddie Rosner became Charles Lloyd.

Award ceremony was held on June 14, 2014.[11]

The last days' concerts of the festival was canceled due to the announced all-Ukrainian mourning for the perished Ukrainian militaries in the east of the country.

Alfa Jazz Fest 2013

On June 13–16, 2013 the third International jazz festival Alfa Jazz Fest was held in Lviv.

Headliners of Alfa Jazz Fest 2013: Dirty Dozen Brass Band (USA); Avishai Cohen (Israel); Till Brönner (Germany); Al Di Meola (USA); Charlie Haden Quartet West (USA); Bobby McFerrin (USA).

On June 15, 2013 the awarding ceremony «Alfa Jazz Fest Awards» dedicated to Eddie Rosner took place on the gala-concert. In 2013 Award was presented to Charlie Haden — one of the most famous American jazz musicians and composers, four time Grammy Award winner.

Alfa Jazz Fest 2012

The second International jazz festival Alfa Jazz Fest was held in Lviv on June 1–3, 2012. The festival was attended by over 30,000 spectators from different countries.

Headliners of Alfa Jazz Fest 2012: Kenny Garrett (USA), Richard Bona Band (Cameroon), Cassandra Wilson (USA), John Patitucci Trio (USA), Gino Vannelli Band (Canada), John McLaughlin the 4th dimension (UK).

In 2012, for the first time, there was an award ceremony, the “Alfa Jazz Fest Awards” dedicated to Eddie Rosner.[12] In 2012 the prize was awarded to John McLaughlin, the legendary British guitarist, playing jazz-fusion.

Alfa Jazz Fest 2011

The first International jazz festival Alfa Jazz Fest was held in Lviv on June 3–5, 2011.

Headliners of Alfa Jazz Fest 2011: Spyro Gyra (USA), John Scofield (USA), Ron Carter (USA), Bill Evans Soulgrass (USA), Jeff Lorber Fusion Superband (USA).

References

  1. ↑ Top 10 jazz festivals in Europe // theguardian.com
  2. ↑ About Festival // leopolisjazz.com
  3. ↑ International Jazz Festival Alfa Jazz Fest changes the festival name // leopolisjazz.com
  4. ↑ About Award // leopolisjazz.com
  5. ↑ a-jazz-festival.html Thousands from Ukraine, abroad flock to Lviv for Alfa Jazz Festival kyivpost.com
  6. ↑ Avishai Cohen together with Orchestra "INSO-Lviv" will perform at Alfa Jazz Fest alfajazzfest.com
  7. ↑ The dates of Alfa Jazz Fest 2016 are known, alfajazzfest.com
  8. ↑ Program of Alfa Jazz Fest 2016, alfajazzfest.com
  9. ↑ Herbie Hancock became the winner of the International music award "Alfa Jazz Fest Awards 2015", alfajazzfest.com
  10. ↑ Понад 100 відомих світових джазових виконавців приїхало до Львова на Alfa Jazz Fest. Львівський портал. 13.06.2014
  11. ↑ Церемонія вручення музичної премії "Alfa Jazz Fest Awards" ім. Едді Рознера у Львові.
  12. ↑ The International Eddie Rosner Alfa Jazz Fest Music Award to be granted within the framework of the local jazz festival
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