Mission JAB
To be a key platform for the promotion of Russian jazz abroad and a point of attraction for the leaders of the international and Russian jazz industry
Jazz Across Borders
Jazz Across Borders is an international forum-fest, one of the largest events in Europe dedicated to professional issues of the jazz industry. The founder and president is People’s Artist of Russia Igor Butman.
This is the first and only professional venue in Russia for meeting representatives of the national and world jazz community!
JAB is:
- Jazz event of the year according to the Union of Music Critics of Russia
- More than 1000 jazz industry professionals from more than 30 countries annually
- More than 50 events annually: lectures, round tables, discussions, seminars, master classes
Conditions of participation JAB 2026
Speakers and Participants 2026
SAXOPHONIST, PRODUCER, PEOPLE’S ARTIST OF RUSSIA,
PRESIDENT OF IGOR BUTMAN MUSIC GROUP,
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF MOSCOW JAZZ ORCHESTRA,
PRESIDENT OF JAB FORUM&FESTIVAL
SAXOPHONIST, PRODUCER, PEOPLE’S ARTIST OF RUSSIA,
PRESIDENT OF IGOR BUTMAN MUSIC GROUP,
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF MOSCOW JAZZ ORCHESTRA,
PRESIDENT OF JAB FORUM&FESTIVAL
IGOR BUTMAN
Igor Butman is justly considered as the top advocate of Russian jazz art in the world. In 1999 he founded his internationally acclaimed Igor Butman Orchestra (now — Moscow Jazz Orchestra), Quartet and Quintet, described by DownBeat Magazine as «an outfit of virtuosos». In past 20 years Igor Butman along with his bands toured dozens of countries and performed at the world’s biggest festivals.
Igor Butman released 17 albums both as a leader and co-leader, including Magic Land (Sony Classical) featuring Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci, Stefon Harris and Randy Brecker.
Igor Butman Music Group, led by Mr Butman, consists of the Igor Butman Jazz Club in Moscow, the Butman Music Records and the biggest Russian jazz concert agency IBMG, which runs 12 jazz festivals in Russia and represents the finest Russian artists abroad.
In 2016 Igor Butman was elected the President of the Russian Authors’ Society (Russian equivalent of ASCAP). In 2018 he became the initiator and co-artistic director (along with Herbie Hancock) of the International Jazz Day in St. Petersburg.
Since 2019 Mr Butman has been the head of the first Jazz Academy in thehistory of Russia.
Deputy director of the Jazz Academy, trombonist, conductor, composer and arranger
Deputy director of the Jazz Academy, trombonist, conductor, composer and arranger
Pavel Ovchinnikov
Pavel collaborated with the jazz orchestras of Kim Nazaretov, Georgy Garanyan, Sergey Zhilin and Berlin International Orchestra. Since 2004 Pavel has been playing at the Moscow Jazz Orchestra conducted by Igor Butman.
Since 2014, Pavel Ovchinnikov has been leading the orchestra class and teaching jazz trombone at the Department of Jazz & Pop Music at the Maimonides State Classical Academy. In 2017-2019 he occupied a position of the deputy director of the State College of Brass Art, now Pavel is the first deputy director of the Jazz Academy.
Pavel is the artistic director of the Jazz Triumph for Kids international jazz festival & competition and the musical director of the The Future of Jazz international festival.
Pavel’s arrangements and musical pieces are performed by many famous musicians both in Russia and abroad.
Co‑director of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Co‑director of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Carolyn Savage
Co‑director of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Nicaragua
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Nicaragua
Alba Azucena Torres Mejia
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Nicaragua
President of the Argentine Jazz Circuit Foundation, an organization that collaborates with cultural managers, producers, festivals and musicians across the country.
President of the Argentine Jazz Circuit Foundation, an organization that collaborates with cultural managers, producers, festivals and musicians across the country.
Natacha Cruz
President of the Argentine Jazz Circuit Foundation, an organization that collaborates with cultural managers, producers, festivals and musicians across the country.
She leads initiatives such as the National Jazz Festival, International Jazz Day, Argentine Jazz Day and the Argentine Jazz Congress.
She participated in panel discussions at MJazz Chile 2023 and the Jazz Congress at Lincoln Center in 2025 and 2026 (New York, USA), and also spoke at JazzCon 2025 (USA) and the EWIMI conference: Empowering Women in the Music Industry (Ottawa, Canada).
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Uzbekistan.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Uzbekistan.
Sasiwat Wongsinsawat
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Uzbekistan.
Founder and CEO of China’s first jazz brand, JZ Music; bass guitarist and educator actively developing the Chinese jazz scene, and jury member of the China Audio‑Video and Digital Publishing Association.
Founder and CEO of China’s first jazz brand, JZ Music; bass guitarist and educator actively developing the Chinese jazz scene, and jury member of the China Audio‑Video and Digital Publishing Association.
Ren Yuqing
Founder and CEO of China’s first jazz brand, JZ Music; bass guitarist and educator actively developing the Chinese jazz scene, and jury member of the China Audio‑Video and Digital Publishing Association.
In 1997, he joined Liu Yuan’s jazz band and launched his jazz career, becoming one of the first jazz musicians in New China. In 2003, he founded JZ Club; in 2004, JZ School; and in 2005, JZ Festival (Shanghai Jazz Music Festival).
JZ Festival has grown into one of the largest jazz festivals in Asia in terms of scale, duration, number and quality of participating musicians, and length of performances.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Alexander Alimov
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
He has been part of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs system since 1995, holding various positions at the Ministry’s central office and abroad.
2012–2017: Deputy Director of the Department of International Organizations.
2017–2022: Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Swiss Confederation.
2022–2025: Director of the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Relations.
October 2024 – December 2025: Executive Secretary of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO.
Since December 2025: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Holds the diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, awarded on 11 June 2025.
Decored with the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland”, Second Class.
Dan Barnett isn’t just making waves on the Australian jazz scene — he’s captivating audiences worldwide.
Dan Barnett isn’t just making waves on the Australian jazz scene — he’s captivating audiences worldwide.
Dan Barnett
Dan Barnett isn’t just making waves on the Australian jazz scene — he’s captivating audiences worldwide.
With a mesmerizing voice and a soul‑stirring trombone sound, Dan has shared the stage and studio with legends including James Morrison, INXS, Mark Murphy, Jack Johnson, Warren Vaché, Boy George, Victor Wooten, as well as Culture Club and the Australian Art Orchestra — leaving his mark alongside some of the biggest names in music.
From smoky clubs to international stages across Europe, Asia, South America and the USA, Dan brings a magnetic presence that perfectly balances effortless cool with raw musical fire.
With 10 critically acclaimed albums — released with both his intimate ensembles and his powerful big band — he crafts a rich, soulful sound that’s impossible to ignore. Add a touch of Australian swagger, plenty of charm and a deep sense of swing, and it becomes clear: Dan Barnett doesn’t just represent Australian jazz — he’s redefining its sound.
Head of the Public Projects Department at the Office of the President of the Russian Federation.
Head of the Public Projects Department at the Office of the President of the Russian Federation.
Sergey Novikov
Head of the Public Projects Department at the Office of the President of the Russian Federation.
Tour Manager at Prime Tours & Promotion, a German talent agency.
Tour Manager at Prime Tours & Promotion, a German talent agency.
Benedikt Jaster
Tour Manager at Prime Tours & Promotion, a German talent agency.
General Director of the Arkhangelskoye Museum‑Reserve.
General Director of the Arkhangelskoye Museum‑Reserve.
Elena Kharlamova
General Director of the Arkhangelskoye Museum‑Reserve.
Jazz diva and opera singer.
Jazz diva and opera singer.
Sandra Frakenberg
Jazz diva and opera singer.
An exquisite artist who, with every note, reveals the beauty of music. Her repertoire includes the finest jazz melodies, romances, folk music and baroque arias.
Sandra Frakenberg has performed at the Koktebel Jazz Party, Future of Jazz and Moscow Jazz Festival — where she shared the stage with the Igor Butman Big Band. She took part in the TV project Come Together («Ну‑ка, все вместе»).
She performs at Russia’s top venues, including the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.
In 2019, she was included in the TOP 50: The Most Famous People list by Sobaka magazine.
Artistic Director of the Pridnestrovian State Ensemble “Liberty”.
Artistic Director of the Pridnestrovian State Ensemble “Liberty”.
Dmitry Sheremet
Artistic Director of the Pridnestrovian State Ensemble “Liberty”.
Master of Music. Honored Artist of Pridnestrovie.
Organizer of the Yuri Batuev International Festival of Brass and Jazz Music “Fanfary Dnestra” (“Trumpets of the Dniester”).
Program Director of JAZZ 89.1 FM radio station.
Program Director of JAZZ 89.1 FM radio station.
Natalya Fokina
Author of projects-winners of international competitions on corporate culture and employer brand
Author of projects-winners of international competitions on corporate culture and employer brand
Lyudmila Terentyevskaya
Human resources management expert.
Author of projects-winners of international competitions on corporate culture and employer brand.
Co-author of the book Internal Communications. Reset.
Coach, career consultant.
Head of Special Projects and BTL // Jury member for the Silver Mercury, BEMA, and Event of the Year awards.
Head of Special Projects and BTL // Jury member for the Silver Mercury, BEMA, and Event of the Year awards.
Arsen Muzlaev
Head of Special Projects and BTL // Jury member for the Silver Mercury, BEMA, and Event of the Year awards.
Founder of the music label “KLUCHI” (“The Keys”), entrepreneur and producer.
Founder of the music label “KLUCHI” (“The Keys”), entrepreneur and producer.
Roman Manzh
Founder of the music label “KLUCHI” (“The Keys”), entrepreneur and producer.
Specializes in artist development, music management and launching cultural projects that bring together music, media and community.
Project Manager in the Cultural Sector at the Partnership Programs Division of the Communications and Marketing Department, Gazprombank.
Project Manager in the Cultural Sector at the Partnership Programs Division of the Communications and Marketing Department, Gazprombank.
Maxim Semenov
Project Manager in the Cultural Sector at the Partnership Programs Division of the Communications and Marketing Department, Gazprombank.
Founder and Head of the “NovorossJAZZ‑CLUB” organization and the Sergey Korenev PROJECT ensemble.
Founder and Head of the “NovorossJAZZ‑CLUB” organization and the Sergey Korenev PROJECT ensemble.
Sergey Korenev
Founder and Head of the “NovorossJAZZ‑CLUB” organization and the Sergey Korenev PROJECT ensemble.
Winner of the television contest “Person of the Year” in the “For Creative Potential” category.
Participant of the International Visits Program “Performing Arts Management” in the USA; holds the corresponding certificate.
Finalist of the 8th Annual “All Colors of Jazz” Award by JAZZ FM Radio.
Awarded the Honorary Distinction “Labor Valor of Russia”.
Has received numerous letters of gratitude and awards for his professionalism, and for developing and preserving jazz traditions, including from the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.
Honored Artist of South Ossetia. Founder and leader of a jazz ensemble, graduate of the Saint Petersburg Rimsky‑Korsakov State Conservatory, composer, multi‑instrumentalist musician — best known as a jazz pianist.
Honored Artist of South Ossetia. Founder and leader of a jazz ensemble, graduate of the Saint Petersburg Rimsky‑Korsakov State Conservatory, composer, multi‑instrumentalist musician — best known as a jazz pianist.
Murat Pliev
Honored Artist of South Ossetia. Founder and leader of a jazz ensemble, graduate of the Saint Petersburg Rimsky‑Korsakov State Conservatory, composer, multi‑instrumentalist musician — best known as a jazz pianist.
Music producer at FONMIX.
Music producer at FONMIX.
Anton Pankratov
Music producer at FONMIX.
Founder of the “House of Jazz Enthusiasts”.
Founder of the “House of Jazz Enthusiasts”.
Ekaterina Nazarova
Founder of the “House of Jazz Enthusiasts”.
Executive Director of the Foundation for Support of Innovative Creative Projects and Musical Development “Jazz on Lake Baikal” (including the International Music Festival “Jazz on Lake Baikal” and the All‑Russian Youth Festival‑Forum “Angara‑Jazz”).
Event organizer.
Singer, Songwriter
Singer, Songwriter
Fantine
A bright singer of Russian-Dominican origin. Her powerful voice and emotional performance often draw comparisons to Whitney Houston. Successfully toured many countries worldwide, including Russia, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, India, and European states. Has collaborated for many years with People’s Artist of Russia, saxophonist Igor Butman.
Winner of the First International Jazz Festival in St. Petersburg. Released two solo albums and multiple singles. In 2021, reached the final stage of the television show “The Voice.” In 2025, received the award “All Colors of Jazz” in the category “Musician of the Year.”
General Producer of MTS Label.
General Producer of MTS Label.
Nadezhda Boychevski
General Producer of MTS Label.
Jazz producer, musician, organizer.
Jazz producer, musician, organizer.
Denis Rybakov
Jazz producer, musician, organizer.
Director of the Samara Jazz “Movement”, artistic director of the “Movement” Jazz Festival.
Head of the Research Center at the Unified Center for Creative Economy.
Head of the Research Center at the Unified Center for Creative Economy.
Artem Kosmarskiy
Head of the Research Center at the Unified Center for Creative Economy.
Executive Director for CIS and Eastern European Markets at Daflow.ai.
Executive Director for CIS and Eastern European Markets at Daflow.ai.
Olga Demina
Executive Director for CIS and Eastern European Markets at Daflow.ai.
Founder, organizer and executive director of the Colisium International Music Industry Forum.
Founder, organizer and executive director of the Colisium International Music Industry Forum.
Sergey Babich
Founder, organizer and executive director of the Colisium International Music Industry Forum.
President of the Unified Center for Creative Economy.
President of the Unified Center for Creative Economy.
Marina Mongush
President of the Unified Center for Creative Economy.
Head of BTL at Alfa Bank Belarus, director of the ALFA JAZZ jazz festival, and formerly Marketing and Advertising Director of the Viva Braslav festival (Republic of Belarus).
Head of BTL at Alfa Bank Belarus, director of the ALFA JAZZ jazz festival, and formerly Marketing and Advertising Director of the Viva Braslav festival (Republic of Belarus).
Oleg Fomin
Head of BTL at Alfa Bank Belarus, director of the ALFA JAZZ jazz festival, and formerly Marketing and Advertising Director of the Viva Braslav festival (Republic of Belarus).
A young and incredibly talented singer and trombonist.
A young and incredibly talented singer and trombonist.
Anastasia Jazzi
A young and incredibly talented singer and trombonist.
Winner of the Big Jazz show, she is an up‑and‑coming jazz star in our country.
She has performed at the most prestigious and stylish jazz clubs, including:
Igor Butman Jazz Club,
Alexey Kozlov Club,
Esse Jazz Club.
Guest soloist and musician with various orchestras and top artists in the country.
Co‑director of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Co‑director of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Georgia Jones
Co‑director of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Profile: Artists and relationships.
Entrepreneur, owner of Frankfort Investments CC.
Entrepreneur, owner of Frankfort Investments CC.
Desmond Frankfort
Entrepreneur, owner of Frankfort Investments CC.
He transformed Frankfort Investments into a leading company with investments and a supply chain within Namibia, serving all local authorities, municipalities, and the private sector. Frankfort Investments acts as a management company that complements other industries under its umbrella.
Co‑owner of Namib Times, the oldest newspaper in Namibia, which enriches the local media landscape with reliable news coverage both on digital platforms and in print.
Since 2021, co‑founder of the Namib Desert International Jazz Festival — a unique cultural event showcasing the work of both local and international artists.
Art director of the «Switzerland» park, coordinator of the jazz festival.
Art director of the «Switzerland» park, coordinator of the jazz festival.
Yulia Skugarevskaya
Art director of the «Switzerland» park, coordinator of the jazz festival.
Producer, representative of the Akra Hotels chain and the Akra Jazz Festival.
Producer, representative of the Akra Hotels chain and the Akra Jazz Festival.
Zelimkhan Zarmaev
Producer, representative of the Akra Hotels chain and the Akra Jazz Festival.
Vice President, Director for Work with Federal and Regional Government Authorities of MKOOL “En+ Holding”
Vice President, Director for Work with Federal and Regional Government Authorities of MKOOL “En+ Holding”
Viktor Konopatsky
Vice President, Director for Work with Federal and Regional Government Authorities of MKOOL “En+ Holding”
Director of the “State Philharmonic of Armenia”, producer
Director of the “State Philharmonic of Armenia”, producer
Artem Nagdyan
Director of the “State Philharmonic of Armenia”, producer
Artistic Director of the State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia
Artistic Director of the State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia
David Melkonyan
Artistic Director of the State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia
Director of the Municipal Cultural Institution “Yaroslavl City Jazz Center”, musician, writer, philologist.
Director of the Municipal Cultural Institution “Yaroslavl City Jazz Center”, musician, writer, philologist.
Andrey Stuzhev
Director of the Municipal Cultural Institution “Yaroslavl City Jazz Center”, musician, writer, philologist.
HR management expert.
Author of winning projects at international competitions for corporate culture and employer branding.
Co‑author of the book Internal Communications. Reload.
Coach, career consultant.
HR management expert.
Author of winning projects at international competitions for corporate culture and employer branding.
Co‑author of the book Internal Communications. Reload.
Coach, career consultant.
Lyudmila Terentevskaya
HR management expert.
Author of winning projects at international competitions for corporate culture and employer branding.
Co‑author of the book Internal Communications. Reload.
Coach, career consultant.
Honored Artist of Krasnodar Krai. Russian jazz pianist and conductor.
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Ilya Filippov’s Orchestra.
Honored Artist of Krasnodar Krai. Russian jazz pianist and conductor.
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Ilya Filippov’s Orchestra.
Ilya Filippov
Honored Artist of Krasnodar Krai. Russian jazz pianist and conductor.
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Ilya Filippov’s Orchestra.
Musician, producer, Head of the «Arkhangelsk Jazz» Production Center.
Winner of the TV competition «Quartets 4×4» on the «Culture Russia» channel in 2018.
Organized and held over 40 international festivals in Arkhangelsk, including large‑scale events such as «Days of Jazz in Arkhangelsk» and «Arkhangelsk Blues».
Foundu the «Tim Dorofeev Jazz Club» in 2020. Awarded the title «Heritage of the North» in 2024.
Musician, producer, Head of the «Arkhangelsk Jazz» Production Center.
Winner of the TV competition «Quartets 4×4» on the «Culture Russia» channel in 2018.
Organized and held over 40 international festivals in Arkhangelsk, including large‑scale events such as «Days of Jazz in Arkhangelsk» and «Arkhangelsk Blues».
Foundu the «Tim Dorofeev Jazz Club» in 2020. Awarded the title «Heritage of the North» in 2024.
Timofey Dorofeev
Musician, producer, Head of the «Arkhangelsk Jazz» Production Center.
Winner of the TV competition «Quartets 4×4» on the «Culture Russia» channel in 2018.
Organized and held over 40 international festivals in Arkhangelsk, including large‑scale events such as «Days of Jazz in Arkhangelsk» and «Arkhangelsk Blues».
Foundu the «Tim Dorofeev Jazz Club» in 2020. Awarded the title «Heritage of the North» in 2024.
Arranger, bandleader, Head of the St. Petersburg Jazz Orchestra, Programming Director of Igor Butman’s Jazz Clubs in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Arranger, bandleader, Head of the St. Petersburg Jazz Orchestra, Programming Director of Igor Butman’s Jazz Clubs in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Sergey Bogdanov
Arranger, bandleader, Head of the St. Petersburg Jazz Orchestra, Programming Director of Igor Butman’s Jazz Clubs in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Artistic Director of the Melodia Ensemble of Georgy Garanyan. Art Director of Jazz Club Esse.
Artistic Director of the Melodia Ensemble of Georgy Garanyan. Art Director of Jazz Club Esse.
Ovagem Sultanyan
Artistic Director of the Melodia Ensemble of Georgy Garanyan. Art Director of Jazz Club Esse.
Music Editor at the Zvuk service.
Music Editor at the Zvuk service.
Aleksandra Guseva
Music Editor at the Zvuk service.
Head of Marketing at Darvin Digital agency, with 14 years of experience in marketing. Promotes Igor Butman’s projects, theatre agencies, and festivals.
Head of Marketing at Darvin Digital agency, with 14 years of experience in marketing. Promotes Igor Butman’s projects, theatre agencies, and festivals.
Anton Filimonov
Head of Marketing at Darvin Digital agency, with 14 years of experience in marketing. Promotes Igor Butman’s projects, theatre agencies, and festivals.
Music producer, blogger, and mentor working at the intersection of jazz, improvisation, and the contemporary music scene. Festival and educational program expert, founder of the «Jazz and Improvisation» community and the «ne konsa» club.
Music producer, blogger, and mentor working at the intersection of jazz, improvisation, and the contemporary music scene. Festival and educational program expert, founder of the «Jazz and Improvisation» community and the «ne konsa» club.
Roman Alekseevnin
Music producer, blogger, and mentor working at the intersection of jazz, improvisation, and the contemporary music scene. Festival and educational program expert, founder of the «Jazz and Improvisation» community and the «ne konsa» club.
Musician, saxophonist, music producer.
Formeru soloist of the Moscow Jazz Orchestra under Igor Butman.
Currently, Music Director of Igor Butman’s Butman Music label.
With his band «21 pm», he participated in festivals such as Afisha Picnic, Esquire Weekend, Chess & Jazz, Usadba Jazz, and others.
Musician, saxophonist, music producer.
Formeru soloist of the Moscow Jazz Orchestra under Igor Butman.
Currently, Music Director of Igor Butman’s Butman Music label.
With his band «21 pm», he participated in festivals such as Afisha Picnic, Esquire Weekend, Chess & Jazz, Usadba Jazz, and others.
Daniil Nikitin
Musician, saxophonist, music producer.
Formeru soloist of the Moscow Jazz Orchestra under Igor Butman.
Currently, Music Director of Igor Butman’s Butman Music label.
With his band «21 pm», he participated in festivals such as Afisha Picnic, Esquire Weekend, Chess & Jazz, Usadba Jazz, and others.
Philologist, psychologist, chief editor of Psychologies.ru, and psychology popularizer. Author of articles that help people better understand themselves and improve their relationships with others.
Philologist, psychologist, chief editor of Psychologies.ru, and psychology popularizer. Author of articles that help people better understand themselves and improve their relationships with others.
Elena Sivkova
Philologist, psychologist, chief editor of Psychologies.ru, and psychology popularizer. Author of articles that help people better understand themselves and improve their relationships with others.
Executive Director of the Forum of Class Teachers, PR Director of the projects «Klassnaya Tema!» («Great Topic!») and «Klub Direktorov» («Directors’ Club»).
Executive Director of the Forum of Class Teachers, PR Director of the projects «Klassnaya Tema!» («Great Topic!») and «Klub Direktorov» («Directors’ Club»).
Aleksandra Poblinkova
Executive Director of the Forum of Class Teachers, PR Director of the projects «Klassnaya Tema!» («Great Topic!») and «Klub Direktorov» («Directors’ Club»).
Music journalist, media manager, sports commentator, and creator of a YouTube channel about vinyl records culture and music.
Music journalist, media manager, sports commentator, and creator of a YouTube channel about vinyl records culture and music.
Vyacheslav Buzdalov
Music journalist, media manager, sports commentator, and creator of a YouTube channel about vinyl records culture and music.
Graduate of the Gnesins Academy of Music, Master of Performing Arts at Rutgers University, Doctor of Performing Arts at the University of Illinois.
Graduate of the Gnesins Academy of Music, Master of Performing Arts at Rutgers University, Doctor of Performing Arts at the University of Illinois.
Arkadiy Ovrutskiy
Graduate of the Gnesins Academy of Music, Master of Performing Arts at Rutgers University, Doctor of Performing Arts at the University of Illinois.
Host and teacher at the double bass and cello studio of Masters College, teaching artist at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Pianist, composer, Distinguished Cultural Worker of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), jazz festival producer in Yakutia, leader of the orchestra of the State Circus of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), and leader of the jazz band «Session Club» (winner of the 1st All‑Russian Jazz Ensemble Competition and participant of the 1st Moscow Jazz Festival).
Pianist, composer, Distinguished Cultural Worker of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), jazz festival producer in Yakutia, leader of the orchestra of the State Circus of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), and leader of the jazz band «Session Club» (winner of the 1st All‑Russian Jazz Ensemble Competition and participant of the 1st Moscow Jazz Festival).
Egor Efimov
Pianist, composer, Distinguished Cultural Worker of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), jazz festival producer in Yakutia, leader of the orchestra of the State Circus of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), and leader of the jazz band «Session Club» (winner of the 1st All‑Russian Jazz Ensemble Competition and participant of the 1st Moscow Jazz Festival).
Founder of the Yakut jazz community «YKT JAZZ JAM», leader of the «Far East Jazz Team», participant of the Jazz Producers School (2025, 2026), and participant of the Listening Session VII at the International Jazz Across Borders Forum and other international festivals.
Master of the Amsterdam Conservatory, trombonist, arranger, leader of Dizzy Dutch Duck, laureate of the «Master» arts award, and producer of the F55 label.
Master of the Amsterdam Conservatory, trombonist, arranger, leader of Dizzy Dutch Duck, laureate of the «Master» arts award, and producer of the F55 label.
Anton Boyarskikh
Master of the Amsterdam Conservatory, trombonist, arranger, leader of Dizzy Dutch Duck, laureate of the «Master» arts award, and producer of the F55 label.
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Big Band and Chamber Orchestra of the Bashkir State Philharmonic; Artistic Director of the international jazz festival «Pink Panther» (Ufa); People’s Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Big Band and Chamber Orchestra of the Bashkir State Philharmonic; Artistic Director of the international jazz festival «Pink Panther» (Ufa); People’s Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
Oleg Kasimov
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Big Band and Chamber Orchestra of the Bashkir State Philharmonic; Artistic Director of the international jazz festival «Pink Panther» (Ufa); People’s Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
In 2008, he founded an orchestra comprising the best jazz musicians in Voronezh.
In 2008, he founded an orchestra comprising the best jazz musicians in Voronezh.
Denis Loskutov
In 2008, he founded an orchestra comprising the best jazz musicians in Voronezh.
Since 2016, the ensemble has joined the Philharmonic in its entirety.
Currently, he is a member and manager of the Big Band of the Voronezh Philharmonic.
The orchestra actively participates in various Russian jazz festivals.
In October this year, large‑scale events dedicated to the orchestra’s official 10th anniversary are planned.
Executive producer, festival director, media and broadcasting expert from Namibia.
Executive producer, festival director, media and broadcasting expert from Namibia.
Clarence Ford
Executive producer, festival director, media and broadcasting expert from Namibia.
Outstanding media figure and cultural architect with over 35 years of experience shaping the broadcasting landscape and events in South Africa. Director and executive producer known for developing and implementing large‑scale international music festivals and tourism initiatives.
Co‑Director of the Namib Desert International Jazz Festival.
Director of the Table Mountain Jazz Festival and Jazz Cruise.
Executive producer and founder of Camissa Solutions.
Tenor saxophonist, originally from Rostov‑on‑Don.
Studied at the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen, Netherlands, and at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. In 2021, worked with Igor Butman’s orchestra, then continued his studies at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA in Los Angeles, USA.
Tenor saxophonist, originally from Rostov‑on‑Don.
Studied at the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen, Netherlands, and at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. In 2021, worked with Igor Butman’s orchestra, then continued his studies at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA in Los Angeles, USA.
Artem Badenko
Tenor saxophonist, originally from Rostov‑on‑Don.
Studied at the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen, Netherlands, and at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. In 2021, worked with Igor Butman’s orchestra, then continued his studies at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA in Los Angeles, USA.
Winner of the DownBeat 43rd Annual Student Music Award in the “Jazz Soloist” category and finalist of the 2019 Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition.
Currently a lecturer at the Moscow State Institute of Culture, where he teaches saxophone and improvisation and leads the Big Band.
Official artist for D’Addario, SYOS, and Remy Saxophones.
Head of international projects department at Igor Butman Music Group, executive producer of JAB forum&festival Russian and VII International Jazz Day in St. Petersburg
Head of international projects department at Igor Butman Music Group, executive producer of JAB forum&festival Russian and VII International Jazz Day in St. Petersburg
ROMAN KHRISTYUK
Gnesin Academy of Music and Moscow State Academy of Law alumnus Roman Khristyuk started working with Igor Butman in 2005 as PR manager of Le Club (now Igor Butman Club). In 2006-2008 he collaborated with the Independent newspaper in Moscow as a concert observer. Now Roman is the executive producer of the Jazz Across Borders forum&festival and the head of international projects at Igor Butman Music Group, adding to it he’s working on worldwide tours for Igor Butman and Moscow Jazz Orchestra. Among IBMG’s international projects are Sochi Jazz Festival (Sochi), Triumph of Jazz (Moscow and St. Petersburg), Jazz Seasons at Gorky Leninsky (Moscow region), Future of Jazz (Moscow), Sakhalin-Hokkaido Jazz (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sapporo), World Jazz Festival (Riga) and Skolkovo Jazz Festival (Skolkovo Innovation Center). Roman Khristyuk teaches PR and concert management at Music Management Faculty of Russian Gnesin Academy of Music. In 2018, as an executive producer, he led the working groupon the preparation and holding of the VII International Jazz Day in St. Petersburg.
Artistic director and chief conductor of the Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan and one of Russia’s finest saxophonists.
Artistic director and chief conductor of the Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan and one of Russia’s finest saxophonists.
Sergey Vasiliev
Artistic director and chief conductor of the Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan and one of Russia’s finest saxophonists.
Since 2002, he has been playing with Latin Rey, one of the most famous and sought‑after Latin American bands in Russia.
In 2005, he was invited by Sergey Zhilin to join the Fonograf Jazz Band as a soloist.
Starting in 2006, he became the concertmaster of the brass section. As part of the orchestra, he took part in TV shows such as:
- Two Stars;
- Dancing with the Stars;
- You Can Sing;
- Heritage of the Republic.
- He tours extensively around the world and has performed in solo concerts with:
- Tamara Gвердцители;
- Alexandra Pakhmutova and Nikolai Dobronravov;
- Ilya Reznik;
- Raimonds Pauls;
and many others.
In 2012, he launched his own project — the S.V.BanD group.
Since 2013, he has served as chief conductor of the Variety and Symphony Orchestra of the Music Laboratory (Samara).
Since 2018, he has been the artistic director and chief conductor of the Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as the artistic director of the following festivals:
- Jazz Kazan;
- Jazz Crossover Fest Kazan.
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra of Tatarstan
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra of Tatarstan
Sergey Vasiliev
CEO and the art director of Helicon Jazz Club, Novokuznetsk
CEO and the art director of Helicon Jazz Club, Novokuznetsk
Olga Yushkova
She is the CEO and the art director of Helicon Jazz Club in the city of Novokuznetsk.
Olga produces such international festivals as Jazz by the Old Castle, KuZnya jazZ, and the Siberian Encounters Arts Festival. She is also an award-winning vocalist at several international festivals, and the MP of “A Just Russia – For Truth” political party for the City Assembly.
Drummer, bandleader, composer
Drummer, bandleader, composer
Oleg Butman
Radio host, Artistic Director of Koktebel Jazz Party
Radio host, Artistic Director of Koktebel Jazz Party
Mikhail Ikonnikov
Jazz trombonist, arranger, lecturer, Dizzy Dutch Duck fusion band leader
Jazz trombonist, arranger, lecturer, Dizzy Dutch Duck fusion band leader
Anton Boyarskikh
Head of Musical Variety Art Department, Director of Rostov College of Arts Big Band
Head of Musical Variety Art Department, Director of Rostov College of Arts Big Band
Adam Teratsuyan
Event Producer
Event Producer
Zelimkhan Zarmaev
Born in 1980 in Grozny, Checheno-Ingush ASSR. After graduating from university, he started working in tourism. Engaged in organizing exhibitions, cultural and sports events, festivals. Representative of Akra Hotels network and Akra Jazz Festival in Russia.
Executive director of Colisium International music convention
Executive director of Colisium International music convention
Sergey Babich
Since 2006 Sergey Babich has been a member of the management team of PMG Concert agency, specializing in organizing concerts and festivals of rock bands. In 2009-2010 he worked as a producer at Larisa LUSTA company. In 2010 he became the artistic director of Tsarskoye Selo concert hall.
In 2011, Sergei created his own event agency InnerSpace and became the main organizer of the concert and business program of the Moscow musical exhibition NAMM Musikmesse Russia.
Since 2013, he has been the executive director of the first industry project Colisium International music convention, focused on the development of the music and concert industry. Within four years of Colisium’s existence, Sergey held 20 conferences with more than 12,000 delegates from 22 countries and more than 2500 industry experts as speakers.
Editor-in-chief of Jazz.ru
Editor-in-chief of Jazz.ru
Kirill Moshkov
His career in music journalism started in early 1990s, he hosted various radio programs about music and directed jazz activities at the InterMedia news agency. In 1998, he became head of Jazz.Ru internet portal, and since 2006 has served as editor-in-chief and publisher of Jazz.Ru magazine (Moscow). Since 2018, he also serves as Director of Research at the non-profit organization ANO “Center for Jazz Studies” in Yaroslavl (a museum institution dedicated to preserving and studying Russia’s jazz history). Since 2019, he teaches the course “History of Musical Show Styles” at the Academy of Jazz, GBPOU City of Moscow.
He is author of several books including:
• “The History of Music Show Styles”, three-volume textbook (2025)
• “JAZZ 100: A Century of Russian Jazz Scene” (2023)
• “Russian Jazz” (two volumes, co-author with Anna Filipieva, 2013)
• “Blues: An Introduction to Its History” (first edition 2010, expanded reprints 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
• “Great Figures of Jazz” (original publication 2009, two-volume extended edition 2012, subsequent editions 2019–2021)
• “American Jazz Industry” (published 2008, revised edition “American Jazz Industry: The 21st Century” published 2013)
Scriptwriter and music editor for documentary film “JAZZ 100” by Igor Butman Foundation (2022, TV version released in 2025).
General Director and General Producer of MTS Label
General Director and General Producer of MTS Label
Nadezhda Boychevcki
Professional music manager, event planner, music video director.
Throughout her professional career she has been a music market expert for Universal Music Group; the general producer of Hajime Rec; the executive producer of Respect Production; the special project manager of Russian National Artist Konstantin Khabensky’s Charitable Organization. She teaches music management at Moscow Music School. She is a trustee in the charitable organization Save the Life and has a relevant experience in organizing special events.
Director of Marketing and Operations at Igor Butman’s Jazz Clubs in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
Director of Marketing and Operations at Igor Butman’s Jazz Clubs in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
Elena Zakharushkina
Director of Marketing and Operations at Igor Butman’s Jazz Clubs in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
With over 15 years of experience in event marketing, PR and operational management, she specializes in crisis management, launching large‑scale cultural and business projects, and applying a data‑driven approach in the concert industry.
She graduated from the Faculty of International Relations at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbSU) and the Graduate School of Management (GSOM SPbSU), majoring in International Management of Technological Innovations.
Director of the Moving Club Meets Friends International Jazz Festival
Director of the Moving Club Meets Friends International Jazz Festival
Denis Rybakov
Denis Rybakov heads the Jazz Studio “Movement” in Samara, the Melomania School of Music, and is the chairman of the Children’s and Youth City Public Organization “Club Movement ”. The organizer of the city jazz concerts and festivals SamaraJazz and Jazz in Strukovsky, as well as the head of the jazz educational Moving Club Camp and numerous master classes.
Musician, the Head of the Arkhangelsk-JAZZ production center
Musician, the Head of the Arkhangelsk-JAZZ production center
Tim Dorofeev
Tim Dorofeev has organized more than twenty festivals including The International Jazz Days in Arkhangelsk, Arkhangelsk-Blues, Jazz Workshop project and club. He is a band leader of the Art Quartet, which won the Quartets 4×4 television contest on the Culture channel in 2018. The band members of the Art Quartet have been playing together for more than 15 years having created their own unique and distinctive style over that time. The musical repertoire combines contemporary jazz, Russian folklore and Tim’s own music. The ensemble programme features famous Russian and foreign jazz musicians, folk bands and choirs, as well as contemporary dance and video art. The quartet worked with numerous world famous jazz musicians as partners: Anatoly Vapirov – sax (Bulgaria), Mike del Ferro – piano (Netherlands), Vladimir Tarasov – drums (Lithuania), Umezu Khojitoki – sax (Japan) and others.
Musicologist at Chelyabinsk State Philharmonic, journalist, concert host
Musicologist at Chelyabinsk State Philharmonic, journalist, concert host
Natalya Rikker
Natalya is the initiator and scriptwriter for a wide range of theatrical shows by Igor Burko’s Ural Dixieland. As a part of it she participated in jazz festivals in Russia and abroad and has been the ensemble’s director since 2016. Natalya is an artistic director and host of the Spring beat international jazz festival, and artistic director and host of What A Wonderful World international jazz festival. Ms Rikker is the author of different broadcasts at Chelyabinsk radio stations, including Jazz Time weekly program aired from 2003 to 2007. She worked as well for the Culture News project at South Ural State Television and Radio Company. Ms Rikker has published a dozen of articles devoted to Chelyabinsk musical life. She teaches the history of pop music styles at South Ural State Institute of Arts P.I. Tchaikovsky.
Musician, head of jazz department at Musorgsky Music College
Musician, head of jazz department at Musorgsky Music College
Sergey Bogdanov
In 2009 along with Kirill Bubyakin, Sergey put together the Jazz Philarmonic Orchestra featuring artists from the State Philarmonie of Jazz Music. He collaborated with Igor Butman, David Goloshyokin, Valery Ponomarev, Ilya Lushtak, Jean-Loup Longnon, Sharon Clark, Steve Grossman, Jason Brown, Clifford Barbaro and Matts Holmquist, as well as with a famous Russian rock band Aquarium.
He wrote arrangements for Greg Ruvolo Big Band, Class Center Big Band, JFC Potluck Big Band and Kazan Philarmonie Jazz Orchestra. Since
2011 he has been the head of jazz studies at the Mussorgsky Music College and the leader of the Mussorgsky Jazz Orchestra. Jazz education section speaker at Jazz Across Borders 2017 and an active participant in events dedicated to the International Jazz Day in St. Petersburg.
Partners
2025
Президентский Фонд Культурных Инициатив
Фонд поддержки и развития музыкального искусства
Фонд поддержки и развития музыкального искусства – некоммерческая организация, основанная Народным артистом России Игорем Бутманом в 2014 году для поддержки и развития джазовой сцены и образования в России. За годы своего существования Фонд провёл ряд крупнейших джазовых мероприятий в истории нашей страны, включая Международный день джаза в Санкт-Петербурге (2018 год, совместно с ЮНЕСКО и Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz).
С 2017 года Фонд проводит единственный в России профессиональный международный джазовый форум-фест Jazz Across Borders, ежегодно собирающий в Санкт-Петербурге сотни музыкантов и профессионалов российской и зарубежной джазовой индустрии. Фонд регулярно поддерживает единственную в России Академию Джаза, международные конкурсы молодых исполнителей «Мир Джаза» и «Детский Триумф Джаза», а также инициирует и финансирует стажировки студентов Академии и иных юных талантливых музыкантов в России и за рубежом.
Igor Butman Music Group
Форум Джазовых Педагогов
Меганом – Академия творческих индустрий
Таврида Арт
Радио JAZZ – jazzfm.ru
IPQuorum
Вконтакте
Soroka media
Городской журнал о Москве
Ревизор.ru
JazzMap