Arta Jēkabsone - voice & compositions
Krists Saržants - piano & compositions
Ilona Kudina - flutes
Hamish Smith - bass
Keita Ogawa - drums
Sara Caswell - violin
Zosha Warpeha - violin
Kayla Williams - viola
Julie Kim - violoncello
Inspired by the rich traditions of both Latvian and American contemporary jazz, the Jēkabsone/Saržants Nonet is set to unveil a soulful new concert program. This captivating performance features original musical arrangements by New York-based Latvian vocalist and composer Arta Jēkabsone and Latvian pianist and composer Krists Saržants. With a stellar ensemble of musicians from NYC and Boston, this concert promises to take you on an emotional journey, weaving together musical stories of hope, reflection, and the essence of home.
ARTA JĒKABSONE has won the prestigious Montreux Shure Jazz Voice Competition and has finished in the top three in multiple internationally renowned competitions. In 2021 she added 3rd prize at the Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Voice Competition to her long list of achievements. A New York City-based vocalist, her compositions are infused with the folk melodies of her homeland, Latvia. The music on her album, “Light” and “Reflections”, brims with intimacy, warmth, and crystal-clear focus. A vocal artist of the highest order, Arta regularly presents new works at the Jazz Gallery, one of New York City’s premier venues. In fact, she was awarded the Jazz Gallery Residency Commission Grant 2021. In 2023, Jēkabsone received the highest form of state recognition in the field of music the Latvian Music Award “New Artist of the Year 2022”. ASCAP Foundation recently recognized her with an honorable mention in the 2024 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards and in May 2024 she concluded her artist residency at The Church in Sag Harbour.
“Arta Jēkabsone is a voice that will soothe any pain or suffering. She is the guardian and ambassador of light, love, and peace. Yet, she still can bedazzle you with complex, but not overwhelming lines and melodies, and she freely takes command of harmony and rhythm.” (Composer and pianist Edgars Cīrulis)
KRISTS SARŽANTS is a Latvian jazz, contemporary, and crossover music composer-pianist. Performing in Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, USA, and other countries, he’s collaborated with various artists and collectives such as the Latvian Radio Big Band (LV), Symphonic Wind Orchestra “Riga”, Steffen Schorn (DE), Kenneth Dahl Knudsen (DK), Rob Duguay (USA), Arta Jēkabsone (LV/US), Matias Fischer (DK) and many others. Saržants’ quintet recordings were presented at the “jazzahead! 2017” annual fair and festival, as well as included in the compilation albums “Jazz In Latvia 2018” and “Jazz In Latvia 2020” (both presented at “Jazzahead!” as well). In 2019 Krists opened the TEDx conference with his quintet in Riga and in 2020 released his debut album “Then and Now”, which was nominated for the Annual Latvian Music Recording Award „Zelta Mikrofons” (“Golden Microphone”) (dubbed "the Latvian Grammy”) in the category “Best Jazz or Funk music album”.
“Krists Saržants’ arrangements are excellent! Instrumentation, texture clarity, affect variability – everything leaves a great impression” – musicologist, “Mūzikas Saule” chief editor Orests Silabriedis
“Very lyrical and honest music!” – LATIN GRAMMY award-nominated jazz saxophonist Felipe Salles
“Very ambitious compositions! Beautiful music!” – award-winning trumpeter Verneri Pohjola
SPONSORSHIP
The Jazz Gallery is a not-for-profit arts organization presenting emerging artists who challenge convention, take creative risks, and lead their field as performers, composers and thinkers. We provide a platform for artists to discover their unique voice and a home for established musicians to continue to experiment and grow. At The Jazz Gallery, artists and audiences come together from around the world to explore new creative ideas, collaborate and celebrate jazz as a dynamic art form that reflects our ever-changing world.
We rely on the generosity of our members and community to keep the music playing, thank you for your continued and much appreciated support! If you would like to sponsor a Livestream Concert, please use the links above or be in touch with our Executive Director, Janet Luhrs, here.