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.