Speakers and Participants
Over the years, JAB has united the elite of the global jazz community. Among the participants of the business program are some of the best jazzmen of our time, leading producers from around the world, program directors of festivals and clubs, promoters, representatives of record companies, music critics and journalists.
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.
Speakers and Participants 2025
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.
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.”
Artistic director of Timitar Festival, Visa For Music Showcase Festival, expert on cultural policy and creative industries at the UNESCO, Morocco
Artistic director of Timitar Festival, Visa For Music Showcase Festival, expert on cultural policy and creative industries at the UNESCO, Morocco
Brahim El Mazned
As a member of the EU/UNESCO Bank of Expertise 2019-2022, and an expert on cultural policy and creative industries at the UNESCO for several years, Brahim El Mazned is also a member of the jury and artistic adviser for numerous cultural events in Morocco and across the world.
After more than twenty years of active participation in the cultural sector, Brahim El Mazned is considered today as an essential reference in the organisation of major artistic events and musical programming in Morocco and around the world.
Since 2004, Brahim El Mazned has been the artistic director of Timitar Festival, an event mainly dedicated to Amazigh culture, which was made known throughout the world and which has become one of the major events in the world of music. Besides promoting the Amazigh (Berber) culture, the festival welcomes more than 600 artists and receives around half a million audience each year.
In 2014, Brahim El Mazned launched Visa For Music (VFM), the first festival/professional market dedicated to singers and musicians from Africa and the Middle East, which now takes place every year in November in Rabat (Morocco).
As a founder of the ANYA cultural enterprise, Brahim El Mazned has taken part in about a hundred conferences and has initiated dozens of artistic residencies in many countries and regions around the world (Brazil, France, Spain, Australia, United States, Canada, Reunion Island, New Caledonia, Madagascar, South Africa, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, Norway, Greece, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon…). He has taken part in the recording and publishing of dozens of albums, as well as in the organisation of hundreds of concerts in prestigious festivals and venues across the five continents. In addition to this, he has participated in a multitude of meetings and workshops aimed at developing cultural expertise.
Director of the Information and Press Department
Director of the Information and Press Department
Maria Zakharova
1998: Graduated from the International Information Faculty at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations under the Russian Foreign Ministry, specialising in international journalism. Speaks English and Chinese. Has the rank of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation.
After graduation, Ms Zakharova started working at the Russian Foreign Ministry. Worked as the editor of the Diplomatic Bulletin monthly publication.
Also served as head of the department for media monitoring at the Information and Press Department.
2005-2008: Head of the Press Service of Russia’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York City.
2008-2011: Held various positions in the ministry’s central office.
2011-2015 Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2015 – present time Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian MFA.
PhD in History.
Member of the Foreign Ministry Collegium and Russian Council on Foreign and Defence Policy.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Russia
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Russia
Rodrigo de Lima Baena Soares
Born on November 12, 1963, in Rio de Janeiro. Graduated from the Law Degree of the Brazilian Center for Higher Education (CEUB) in 1986, specialization course in International Relations at American University (Washington/DC), Diplomatic Career Preparatory Course at Rio Branco Institute (Brasilia), Postgraduate Degree in Public Administration at École Nationale d’Aministration (Paris, France).
Began his professional activity at the Department of Internal Affairs of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Repeatedly headed Brazilian delegations at international forums, participated in negotiations concerning defense issues and strategic partnerships between Brazil and countries in Europe, North America, and South America.
Worked in permanent missions of Brazil to the UN, embassies in Paraguay, France, Argentina, Mozambique, Peru, and Moscow. Participated in the work of the UN General Assembly committees, the Preparatory Commission for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and acted as representative of Brazil in various international organizations and structures, including the UN Security Council and the Missile Technology Control Regime.
Taught at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (“Sciences Po”) and the National University of La Plata in Argentina. Has authored several scientific articles and monographs dedicated to foreign policy, mass media, and the defense industry of Brazil.
Awarded multiple state honors: Order of Rio Branco (Brazil), Order of Merit (France), Order of Prince Henry (Portugal), Order of the Cedar (Lebanon), Friendship Order (Russia).
Founder of the North Gate Jazz Co-op in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Founder of the North Gate Jazz Co-op in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Pharadon Phonamnuai
Pharadon Phonamnuai is a Thai musician, cultural entrepreneur, and founder of the North Gate Jazz Co-op in Chiang Mai, Thailand. For nearly two decades, he has used jazz as a bridge between cultures and communities, fostering creative exchange and social change. Pharadon is also the founder of “Chiang Mai Street Jazz Festival” and co-initiator of “Mahoree: City of Music,” projects that promote local talent and cultural sustainability. His work combines music, community engagement, and environmental awareness, creating platforms that inspire collaboration, economic growth, and resilience through the arts.
Director General of Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives
Director General of Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives
Roman Karmanov
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.
Director of Akra Jazz Festival
Director of Akra Jazz Festival
Kadir Dursun
Director of Bahrain Jazz Fest
Director of Bahrain Jazz Fest
Jude D’Souza
As the Festival Director and Founder of the Bahrain Jazz Fest, Jude D’Souza has steadily helped shape the story of jazz in the Middle East. Since launching the festival in 2017, Jude has been deeply involved in every aspect, from artist curation and programming to strategic partnerships, community outreach and cultural positioning.
The Bahrain Jazz Fest today has grown into one of the region’s most respected and anticipated international jazz festivals. The event has welcomed over 60,000 attendees, hosted 100+ artists from across the globe, and consistently delivered a rich fusion of global and local jazz experiences.
Beyond the stage, Jude has championed youth engagement and jazz education, embedding school collaborations, student performances and mentorship programs into the heart of the festival. His belief in music as a tool for connection and cultural exchange has led to Bahrain Jazz Fest being named an Official Organizational Partner of International Jazz Day by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO — a rare distinction in the region.
Most recently, Bahrain Jazz Fest proudly presented itself at International Jazz Day 2025 in Abu Dhabi, the official global host city, further reinforcing its place among the leading voices in the international jazz community.
In his role as Festival Director, Jude continues to lead with vision and sincerity, building a space where Bahrain opens its arms to the world through music, and where jazz is kept alive as a dynamic and ever-evolving art form.
General Manager – Cape Town International Jazz Festival
General Manager – Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Charmane Creamer
Charmane Creamer has been an integral part of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival since its very beginning, contributing to its growth and success over the past 23 years. As General Manager, she brings deep experience and a thorough understanding of the festival’s operations and finances, ensuring each edition of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival runs seamlessly.
Festival Head – Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Festival Head – Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Shaakirah Adams
Shaakirah Adams is currently serving as the Festival Head of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival—one of the largest and most iconic music festivals on the African continent. With over a decade of experience in event coordination, stakeholder engagement, and creative project management, she brings a deep passion for the arts and a steady, hands-on leadership style.
Press Secretary of the “Ulikhanyan Jazz Club”
Press Secretary of the “Ulikhanyan Jazz Club”
Rima Tigranyan
Rima Tigranyan was born in 1986 in Yerevan. She graduated from the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan and completed her master’s degree at Yerevan State University. She is currently studying in the graduate program at Yerevan State University and is working on her doctoral dissertation on the topic “Formation and Development of Jazz in the Context of Soviet Cultural Policy”.
Rima Tigranyan’s professional interests include world, Soviet, and Armenian jazz art, Soviet cultural policy, as well as the history of Soviet-Armenian art. Over the years, she has collaborated with the State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia and various renowned jazz musicians and ensembles. She has participated in organizing numerous jazz projects in collaboration with organizations such as the “Loft” centre, “Boon” club, AHBU, and others.
In recent years, she has been actively collaborating with the jazz club “Ulikhanyan”. Within the framework of joint initiatives, significant cultural events have been implemented, including lectures, masterclasses, creative meetings, and jazz festivals. Among the most notable projects are the three-day art festival “Together for Music”, “Walking in Jazzy Yerevan”, “Jazz, Mafia and the Prohibition”, and others.
Since 2021, Rima Tigranyan has been the author and presenter of several television projects dedicated to jazz on Boon TV, including “Jazz Stories”, “Conversations about Jazz”, and “Jazz Studies”.
Jazz writer and co-founder of Dark Blue Notes magazine
Jazz writer and co-founder of Dark Blue Notes magazine
Burak Sülünbaz
Jazz writer and co-founder of Dark Blue Notes Magazine. He has been working on jazz cases as an important figure in the Turkish jazz scene for almost 20 years. He follows jazz festivals and new jazz releases around the world. He writes reviews about new releases, making interviews and writing critics for major festivals.
CEO of Prime Tours & Promotion, Germany
CEO of Prime Tours & Promotion, Germany
Georg Pfaab
In 1992 Georg co-founded Transatlantico Tours & Services, a Berlin-based booking company which soon turned into the leading agency for Brazilian artists in Europe, later on promoting a variety of artists, such as Youssou N D́ our, Branford Marsalis, Caetano Veloso, Incognito,Cassandra Wilson, Jazzkantine, Khaled, Noa, Cheikh Lô, Ruben Gonzales & Ibrahim Ferrer, AlJarreau, Goran Bregovic, Manu Chao, and Toto.
In 2006 he founded Prime Tours & Promotion, a live-booking agency and tour-promoter based in Berlin for artists in jazz, world, and pop music. Initially specializing in the German-speakingarea, the agency currently offers a full European-wide tour service that includes booking, production, tour-promotion and accounting.
In long years of work experience, Prime Tours & Promotion has become a boutique agency for selected artists to establish them on the music market and help them build a sustainable career. The artists list includes Mariza (Portugal), Barbara Pravi (France), Diego el Cigala (Spain),Estrella Morente (Spain), Al Jarreau (USA), Faada Freddy (Senegal/France), Amadou & Mariam(Mali), Souad Massi (Algeria/France), ZAZ (France), Sophie Hunger (Switzerland), Madredeus (Portugal), Anna Maria Jopek (Poland), Gustavo Santaolalla (Argentina), Nitin Sahwney (UK),Lisa Simone (France/USA), and Rosanne Cash (USA).
Founder of the “Ulikhanyan Jazz Club”, Armenia
Founder of the “Ulikhanyan Jazz Club”, Armenia
Vardan Ulikhanyan
Known as an Armenian jazz music figure.Born in Tbilisi. Graduated from Sayat-Nova Music School and Yerevan State Conservatory named after Komitas. In his youth, he was actively engaged in concert activities as a classical pianist. From 1998 to 2010, he was a member of the group “Ulikhanyan Quintet,” which successfully toured abroad.In 2010, he participated in the Klaipėda Castle Jazz Festival.
In 2008, Vardan founded the “Ulikhanyan Club.” He has organized over 5,000 concerts and co-organized various festivals and jazz events, including:• Together for Music. Art Fest Tsakhkadzor 2020 (with Arm.Strong Production)• Armenian Jazz Fest 2022. 4 Seasons (with A. Manukyan): This festival took place throughout the year, resulting in the creation of the first collection of works by Armenian jazz composers and performers titled “Djazadaran” (Armenian RealBook).• Noumen ART Fest – Imaginary Folklore: The Concert in Memory of Mikhail Alperin 2025 (with founder G. Davitashvili)
The “Ulikhanyan Jazz Club” is a unique hub for jazz musicians. It hosts masterclasses, rehearsals, concerts, jam sessions with both foreign and local artists, and operates a jazz school under the guidance of pianist and composer Karen Grigoryan. Under his leadership, two student groups of different ages have already graduated successfully.
Author, radio host, and Art Director of the Gelendzhik Young Jazz Festival
Author, radio host, and Art Director of the Gelendzhik Young Jazz Festival
Michail Ikonnikov
Professional activity in radio began in 1989 on state radio where he worked as a sound operator. In 1992, he was one of the founders of Radio 101 and then worked as a host on stations such as Radio ROX (1993–1996) and Prestige Radio (1996–1998).
From 1992 to 1999, he was the author and presenter of the jazz program “Jazz. Private Collection”. In 1994, he became a regular music reviewer for the weekly newspaper “Nedelya.” From 1995 to 1998, he held the position of deputy director of the first Russian supermarket selling music and video products called “Purple Legion.”
In 2001–2016, he was a radio host and music director at Mayak radio station, and later became one of the creators and programming directors of Jazz Radio (since 2002, again in 2018–2019). In 2006, he acted as music editor for Vera Glazoleva’s movie “Devil’s Wheel.” From 2013 to 2021, he served as music director at Radio RT in Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana.
From 2014 to 2021, he was art director of the international jazz festival Koktebel Jazz Party in Crimea, and between 2014 and February 2024, he presented the show “Musical Review” on Sputnik Radio in Crimea. Since July 2022, he has been hosting the weekly program “Simply About Jazz” on Radio Rossii and Radio Kultura, while starting in July 2024, he presents sections “Music Events in Moscow” and “Music. Events” on Radio Rossii (Moscow, 101.5 FM). In 2024, Mikhail Ikonnikov became the art director of the Gelendzhik Young Jazz Festival.
Head of Musical Program at Igor Butman Music Group
Head of Musical Program at Igor Butman Music Group
Elena Ryabuhina
Graduate of Maurice Thorez Moscow Linguistic University, specializing in international communication.
She worked as a journalist and translator for magazines such as Elle Decoration and Happy Parents published by Hachette Filipacchi. From 1999 to 2005, she performed with the Moscow band Sleepwalkers, playing country, rockabilly, and blues music.
Since 2005, Elena began working at ArthMania agency as a press attaché and coordinator of musical projects. Since 2007, she held the position of music director and curated the program for the Usadba Jazz festival in Moscow and other cities. She also selected and booked international artists for all agency projects, including the French jazz festival Le Jazz, City Jazz and Moscow Jazz Festival, Korean culture festival in Russia, Bossa Nova festival.
She organized concerts and tours for artists such as bass player Richard Bona (USA), double-bass player Avishai Cohen (Israel), Melody Gardot (USA), Pink Martini band (USA), legendary guitarist John McLaughlin (UK), John Scofield (USA), Jamie Cullum, Joss Stone, Branford Marsalis (USA), Earth Wind & Fire Experience featuring Al McKay (USA), among others. She arranged performances for private events like cabaret shows Crazy Horse (France) and Tropicana (Cuba).
From 2019 to 2021, she served as Director of International and Special Projects at Alexey Kozlov club and media resource JAZZIST. Since 2021, Elena has been Head of Musical Programming at Igor Butman Music Group.
She has extensive experience working with major Russian stars, including Leonid Agutin, Hibla Gerzmava, Anna Aglatova, ballerina Diana Vishneva, Splijn band, Ivan Dorn, Alexei Chumakov, Yuri Antonov, Sofia Rotaru, Boris Grebenshchikov, Diana Arbenina, Elka, L’One. Twice she served on the jury of the German music forum Jazzahead (the only Russian juror ever). Regularly attends international music exhibitions and showcases as a participant and speaker.
Organized concerts for Russian artists abroad: tour of Horsepower band through France and Belgium, performances by young Russian ensembles at festivals in France (Jazz à Juan) and Netherlands (Amersfoort Jazz Festival).
Managing Partner of ZVONKO Group, CEO of ZVONKO Digital and Association of Music Industry
Managing Partner of ZVONKO Group, CEO of ZVONKO Digital and Association of Music Industry
Dmitry Konnov
Born in Moscow in 1971. Graduated from Moscow State Pedagogical University named after V.I. Lenin. Worked as a history teacher while simultaneously starting his career in music media. In 1998, he joined Radio Maximum’s team, then moved to MTV Russia in 2002 where he worked in public relations, marketing, and PR.
In 2005, Dmitry became head of Universal Music Russia, serving as General Director until 2021. In 2021, he became Managing Partner of newly established ZVONKO Group. In December 2021, he assumed the role of CEO of ZVONKO Digital (NCA); in April 2022, he became Executive Director of the Association of Music Industry (AMI).
Financial Director and Fundraiser of LAD Production Center
Financial Director and Fundraiser of LAD Production Center
Ekaterina Shubenko
Financial Director and Fundraiser of LAD Production Center (festivals Ural Music Night, New/Open showcase festival, Red Line, GeekCon, Wild Herbs, project “Yes! With Mozhaev”). Author and curator of grant program New/Open showcase festival.
Education: European Sponsorship Association (qualification in sponsorship and sports marketing, 2019, UK, London); Skolkovo School of Management (NGO Management Programme, 2021, Russia, Moscow); Business School of National Research University Higher School of Economics (Marketing Technologies and Practices, 2024-2024, Russia, Nizhny Novgorod).
Expert and lecturer in educational events:
Professional Retraining Program “Management in Cultural and Artistic Sphere, Fine Arts Education” (YEGTI, 2022-present);
Accelerator “Create.Tavrida” (Meganom Academy, 2024-2025);
Educational Program “Music Industry in Russia: New Managerial Solutions” (Meganom Academy, 2023);
Continuing education program “Festival Management” (platform Muza, 2023), etc.
Music producer, founder of the music publishing company Fancymusic
Music producer, founder of the music publishing company Fancymusic
Sergei Krasin
A Russian producer, publisher, and musician. Founder and director of the music label Fancy Music. The label releases music in various genres with a particular focus on contemporary classical music and author jazz close to free-improvisational form. Among the composers whose works are published by the label are Sergei Akhunov, Anton Batagov, Leonid Desyatnikov, Georgiy Dorokhov, Sergey Zagnij, Pavel Karmanov, Alexey Kruglov, Pyotr Talalay, and many others.
In addition to its publishing activities, the label regularly organizes concert presentations, showcases, mini-festivals, and other events that often result in new creative collaborations.
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.
Jazz Musician and Producer
Jazz Musician and Producer
Oleg Butman
Graduate of St. Petersburg Musorgsky Music College. In the 1980s, he played in bands led by Valery Zuikov, David Goloshekin, Igor Butman, performing alongside visiting American stars such as Jon Faddis, Billy Taylor, Grover Washington, Pat Metheny. Participated in recording trombonist Vyacheslav Nazarov’s album “Letter to a Friend.”
In 1990, Oleg moved to the USA, collaborating with vibraphonist Joe Locke, bassist Eddie Gomez, pianist Andy LaVerne, guitarist Ron Affif. In 1998, he embarked on a Russian tour with the project “Four Brothers” (featuring himself, brother Igor Butman, and brothers Mikhail and Andrey Ivanov).
In 2001, Oleg returned to Russia with his American quartet and tenor saxophonist Craig Handy. Continued touring with renowned musicians such as guitarist Mark Whitfield, saxophonist Vincent Herring, pianist Larry Willis. In 2007, together with Moscow-based pianist Natalya Smirnova, created the Jazz Passion (“Passion for Jazz”) project.
Oleg Butman recorded six albums, three of them containing original compositions, and released six live DVDs with jazz legends: Eric Marienthal, Randy Brecker, Nathan East, Gregory Porter, Roy Hargrove, Donny McCaslin, Wayne Escoffery, Eddie Gomez, Leon Foster Thomas, Essiet Okon Essiet.
Participated in international festivals: Porto Jazz Festival (Portugal, 2019), Riga Jazz Festival (Latvia, 2017), Akra Jazz Festival (Turkey, 2023), Washington DC Jazz Festival (USA, 2019), Berlin A-Train Jazz Festival (Germany, 2019), New York A.P.A.P (USA, 2018), Hot Jazz Festival (Israel, 2016), Delhi International Jazz Festival (India, 2013), Baikal Jazz Festival (Irkutsk, annually), Triumph of Jazz (Moscow, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2020), Moscow Jazz Festival (2023), etc.
Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer, Vocal-Music Teacher
Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer, Vocal-Music Teacher
Sasha Almazova
Creator and vocalist of the authorial project “Sasha Almazova and Non Cadenza,” which has been drawing audiences and performing at festivals across the country for more than twenty years. Trained linguist, English language teacher, candidate of pedagogical sciences. Winner of the international English-language literary competition The Pushkin Prize Competition. Studied courses in music management and songwriting at UCLA (Los Angeles) and Estill Voice Training (EVT).
Author and producer of several studio albums and numerous singles. Recipient of awards “Time Out New Music” and “Golden Gargoyle.” Founder of the vocal education project “WhatIfChoir” in Saint Petersburg. Vocal coach in the film “Pushkin” starring Yura Borissov.
Performed opening acts for Jazzamor, The Brand New Heavies, Roisin Murphy. Shared stages with Red Snapper, Karl Frierson, Parov Stelar, Goran Bregovic, Ivan Dorn, Zaz, Nino Katamadze, Boris Grebenschikov, and many other stars.
Head of Partner Relations Department at ZVONKO digital
Head of Partner Relations Department at ZVONKO digital
Kamilla Nizamova
Started her career in the music industry as part of the team launching ONErpm’s office in Russia: initially as an A&R specialist, later as a project manager for jazz and classical music projects. On behalf of ONErpm, she oversaw the release of Igor Butman’s album Only Now.
She has a background in FMCG, TV production (she managed outside broadcasting of various sport events including the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and 2018 FIFA World Cup), live TV production of concerts and music shows, managing jazz gigs and artists.
Program Director of Jazz Across Borders
Program Director of Jazz Across Borders
Dina Nurgaleeva
In 2010 she graduated from the State University of Management with a degree inManagement in cinema and TV. In 2013, she received her PhD in Economics. She worked indifferent fields such as film-making (projects of director Ilya Khotinenko), television (RussiaToday channel) and tourism (the Ritz Carlton hotel).Dina started her business career in music as the manager of Jazz Dance Orchestra. In 2016,she founded Magnetophone Music Agency. Co-producer of the annual open air festival Cityof Jazz at Aptekarsky Garden of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University.Programm Director of Jazz Across Borders forum & festival within St. PetersburgInternational Cultural Forum. Programm Director of International Jazz Day in St. Petersburgin 2018
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.
Jazz singer
Jazz singer
Katya Yamschikova
Graduate of Ufa State Academy of Arts. Soloist of the Central District Orchestra of the National Guard Troops of Russia. Winner of the professional musicians’ competition “Magnificent Ten” at the International Jazz Performers Contest Jazz Birds. Participant of TV shows “The Voice” and “Klub Shabolovka 37.” Represented Russia and the Republic of Bashkortostan at major international concerts and festivals in cities throughout Russia, as well as in Europe, China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan.
Collaborates with the National Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Estrade-Jazz Orchestra of the Bashkir State Philharmonic Hall, and the National Folk Instruments Orchestra of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
In 2012, she created the folk project “Katya Yamschikova.” In 2022, she released a collaborative folk album with the National Folk Instruments Orchestra of the Republic of Bashkortostan. In 2024, her studio album “Zhavoronok,” recorded at SyneLab Studio with saxophonist Pavel Skornyakov, keyboard player Ruslan Vorotnikov, guitarist Vadim Muratov, bass guitarist Anton Davidyanets, and drummer Ignat Krivtsov, was nominated for Radio Jazz Award “All Colors of Jazz” in the category Album of the Year.
Currently performs with her ensemble at leading concert venues in Russia, domestic and international folk and jazz festivals, including Moscow Jazz Festival and “Jazz Seasons.”
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.
Jazz Singer, Leader of Jazz Band ALLSEEBAND
Jazz Singer, Leader of Jazz Band ALLSEEBAND
Olga Sinyayeva
Prominent figure on the Russian jazz, funk, and soul scene. Headliner at domestic and international music festivals, participant of The Voice show, musical editor of the Blue Bird competition, vocal mentor for The Voice.Kids and AguTeensForum. Senior lecturer at the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music. In 2020, opened her own Vocal Academy.
Since 2019, released albums Jump!, LIVE1, Christmas and several singles. Her music can be heard on radio stations like Silver Rain, Radio JAZZ, LOVE Radio, Maximum, Culture and others.
Jazz Multi-instrumentalist and singer
Jazz Multi-instrumentalist and singer
Juan Horlendis
Cuban multi-instrumentalist and vocalist.Born in Havana. Graduated from the Havana Conservatory “13 de Marzo” and the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts (MSUCA). Performs in traditional Cuban style, sings, dances, plays bass guitar, guitar, piano, and Latin American percussion instruments. From 2017 to 2019 worked as a musical director, arranger, and bass player at Musichall theater (Dubai).Currently resides in Saint Petersburg, playing bass for Elena Vaenga’s band and fronting cover group JDKplus.
Jazz singer
Jazz singer
Anastasia Lyutova
One of the brightest singers on the modern Russian jazz scene. A graduate of the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music, band leader and arranger, winner of international competitions. Honored with awards from JAZZ 98.1 FM radio in categories such as “Discovery of the Year,” “Release of the Year” and “Musician of the Year.”
She has performed at prestigious international jazz festivals including “Jazz Future,” “Koktebel Jazz Party,” “Triumph of Jazz,” “Jazz at Old Fortress,” UNESCO’s largest celebration of International Jazz Day in St. Petersburg, among others. She collaborates with artists such as Marion Cowings, Danil Kramer, Oleg Lundstrem Jazz Orchestra, Mussorgsky Jazz Orchestra, Moscow Jazz Orchestra under Igor Butman’s direction, and the collective known as “Leningrad Patéfon.”
With her ensemble “Lyuty Band,” Anastasia brings back the former grandeur to mainstream jazz. Their repertoire includes jazz standards by George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Horace Silver, and other composers of the twentieth century, sounding fresh and convincing thanks to the group’s characteristic arrangements.
In 2019, Anastasia and Lyuty Band released their debut album Some Like It Jazz on Japan’s Venus Records label. This made her the first Russian jazz performer to record an album for this renowned label, as well as the first artist from Russia to grace the cover of Jazz Perspective magazine. In 2023, her second album Jazzville, was released on Butman Music label.
Jazz vocalist, director of Art Of Jazz Company, director of international jazz festivals
Jazz vocalist, director of Art Of Jazz Company, director of international jazz festivals
Olga Skepner
Olga Skepner is a founder and music director of the International Festival of Improvisational Music «Jazz in the Kremlin with Olga Skepner» (Kazan, Tatarstan), the International Music Festival Hόtel de ville (Kazan, Tatarstan) and the International Festival of Contemporary Music “Brunswick Diagonals” (Germany-Russia).
In 2006, she founded the production center «Art of Jazz Company», which promotes modern improvisational and jazz music, the genres of ethno jazz and world music. In 2010, she became an organizer of the Days of French Culture in Kazan, as part of which the Jazz music festival «Le Jazz» was held in Kazan. In 2011, she was a director of the State Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan at the Tuqay Tatar State Philharmonia.
Since 2013, as a singer, she has been cooperating with jazz pianist and composer Andrei Rudenko. In the same year she founded a group, which included famous Russian jazz musicians. Director of famous Russian pianist and composer Evgeny Borets and “Evgeny Borets Trio”.
Speakers and Participants 2022
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.
Director General of Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives
Director General of Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives
Roman Karmanov
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.
Director of Akra Jazz Festival
Director of Akra Jazz Festival
Kadir Dursun
Founder and general manager of Nisville jazz festival
Founder and general manager of Nisville jazz festival
Ivan Blagojevic
Ivan Blagojevic – founder and general manager of Nisville jazz festival ( www.nisville.com , Nis, Serbia) was born at January 7th 1959. Graduated at Faculty of economy, Nis (Bachelor of Economics – specialized in Culture Management). Until 1990, he was succesfull theatre director (several rewards for best directing on nationaly festivals of amateur theatres). Author of concepts and main organiser of following events: Nisville jazz festival – 28 editions, Theatre Yu fest – 4 editions, Rock festival – 3 editions, Festival of chamber music – 1 edition and few art colonies. He incarnated and organized New Year’s Eve celebration at the central city square of Nis, with more than 150 performers in front of 100.000 visitors. He published several music edition and literature publications. He wrote book of essays “Walk on Jazz”.
The jazz festival tradition in Niš, initiated in 1981, and terminated in 1991, was renewed at the end of 1994 thanks to the producer and economist who specializes in cultural management, Ivan Blagojević, theatre director by vocation. From the festival’s very beginning, its concept has been based on presenting the ‘traditional’ jazz forms together with their fusion with the ethnic tradition from the different parts of the world, especially from the Balkans.
Based on estimates, over 17.000 musicians have performed at Nišville Jazz festival, and their concerts have probably been attended by more than 1.750,000 visitors. Ever since the move to the plateau in the Fortress, the following have been among those who performed at Nisville: Solomon Burke, Joss Stone, Jean Luc Ponty Quartet, Osibisa, Al Di Meola, Christian Scott, Maria Joao, Bob Geldof, Earth, Wind and Fire, Brussels Jazz Orchestra, John Patittuci, Lollo Meier, Opus 5, Kim Clark & Joe Bowie, Lydian Sound Orchestra, Richard Galliano, Hans and Candy Dulfer, Benny Golson, Mingus Dynasty, Sly & Robbie ft. Junior Reid, Chico Freeman, Milcho Leviev, Stanley Jordan, Mungo Jerry Blues Band, Rick Margitza, Tom Harrell, Randy Brecker, Miroslav Vitous, Grace Kelly, Jamie Davis, Incognito, Kyle Eastwood, Hubert Tubbs, Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion ft. Pee Wee Ellis, Jazzanova, Ron Carter Golden Striker Trio ft. Russel Malone, Nouvelle Vague, Marius Neset, Joe Bowie, Roy Hargrove, De Phazz, The Brand New Heavies, Georgie Fame, Terje Rypdal, Manu Dibango, Yehia Khalil Gipsy Kings, Goran Bregovic etc.
In 2016. Nišville Jazz Festival was chosen by The Guar-dian as one of the best jazz festivals of Europe, alongside Mon-treux jazz festival, Umbria jazz festival, North Sea jazz festival etc. The festival was also highly recommended by the British BBC in 2017. on their BBC Travel portal.
Festival‘s whole hearted devotion to preserve musical legacy of the Balkans and South-Eastern Europe, is witnessed by the prestigious award from 2016. awarded to the director of the festival, Ivan Blagojević. The “Zlatni Vek“ (“Golden Age“) award is the highest honour awarded by The Bulgarian Mini-stry of Culture to foreign citizens, and mr. Blagojević is the first citizen of Serbia to receive the award.
Every year, Nišville is followed by over 450 accredited journalists from Serbia and abroad, and among them, there are representatives of renowned music and political magazines. For example, in his portrayal of Nišville, the critic from the most famous jazz magazine, “Downbeat”, paid special attention to some of the participants at the festival from Serbia, i.e. from the Balkans, while the reporter from the unofficial media of the European Union, the Brussels magazine “New Europe”, headlined the text on the festival (announced on the front page), as “Nišville – the European Face of Serbia”!
Vocalist, arranger, composer
Vocalist, arranger, composer
Alina Engibaryan
Saxophonist, Director of Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra
Saxophonist, Director of Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra
Yuriy Bogatyrev
Chief Editor of VK Music
Chief Editor of VK Music
Sergey Mudrik
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.
Director of Bahrain Jazz Fest
Director of Bahrain Jazz Fest
Jude D’Souza
As the Festival Director and Founder of the Bahrain Jazz Fest, Jude D’Souza has steadily helped shape the story of jazz in the Middle East. Since launching the festival in 2017, Jude has been deeply involved in every aspect, from artist curation and programming to strategic partnerships, community outreach and cultural positioning.
The Bahrain Jazz Fest today has grown into one of the region’s most respected and anticipated international jazz festivals. The event has welcomed over 60,000 attendees, hosted 100+ artists from across the globe, and consistently delivered a rich fusion of global and local jazz experiences.
Beyond the stage, Jude has championed youth engagement and jazz education, embedding school collaborations, student performances and mentorship programs into the heart of the festival. His belief in music as a tool for connection and cultural exchange has led to Bahrain Jazz Fest being named an Official Organizational Partner of International Jazz Day by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO — a rare distinction in the region.
Most recently, Bahrain Jazz Fest proudly presented itself at International Jazz Day 2025 in Abu Dhabi, the official global host city, further reinforcing its place among the leading voices in the international jazz community.
In his role as Festival Director, Jude continues to lead with vision and sincerity, building a space where Bahrain opens its arms to the world through music, and where jazz is kept alive as a dynamic and ever-evolving art form.
Program Manager, Director of NGO Urbani Cult (Budva, Montenegro)
Program Manager, Director of NGO Urbani Cult (Budva, Montenegro)
Vinko Mihajlović
Vinko Mihajlović is a marketing expert with thirty years’ experience and the director of UrbaniKult, an NGO founded in 2006 Its mission is to promote culture and strengthen the role ofNGOs in Montenegro and abroad. Such music events as Petrovac Jazz Festival, MontenegroSun Reggae Festival (Montenegro) and Jazzaland Festival Temerin (Serbia) are held under theauspices of the organization, with Vinko as the organizer and artistic director of all theseprojects.
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra of Tatarstan
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra of Tatarstan
Sergey Vasiliev
Director of Mussorgsky Jazz Orchestra, Music Director of Georgy Garanyan’s ensemble “Melody”
Director of Mussorgsky Jazz Orchestra, Music Director of Georgy Garanyan’s ensemble “Melody”
Sergey Bogdanov
Music Director of Bolshoi Jazz Orchestra
Music Director of Bolshoi Jazz Orchestra
Petr Vostokov
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.
Artistic Director and conductor of Bashkir State Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra
Artistic Director and conductor of Bashkir State Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra
Oleg Kasimov
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
Music manager, Sergey Golovnya’s project leader, creative producer of Magnetophone Music Agency
Music manager, Sergey Golovnya’s project leader, creative producer of Magnetophone Music Agency
Leyla Tuleusheva
Founder of Jazzist Online Magazine & Record Label
Founder of Jazzist Online Magazine & Record Label
Lev Borovkov
Composer, pianist, multi-instrumentalist, producer
Composer, pianist, multi-instrumentalist, producer
Konstantin Khazanovich
The Karelian State Philharmonic
The Karelian State Philharmonic
Irina Ustinova
Director of the Sakhalin Philharmonic
Director of the Sakhalin Philharmonic
Ilya Alexandrov
CEO of Petroconcert
CEO of Petroconcert
Artyushkina Ekaterina
Singer, film score composer, arranger
Singer, film score composer, arranger
Dmitiy Noskov
Head of Strelka Jazz Festival
Head of Strelka Jazz Festival
Daria Ghitelson
Saxophonist, composer, educator, soloist of Moscow Jazz Orchestra
Saxophonist, composer, educator, soloist of Moscow Jazz Orchestra
Anton Chekurov
Jazz trombonist, arranger, lecturer, Dizzy Dutch Duck fusion band leader
Jazz trombonist, arranger, lecturer, Dizzy Dutch Duck fusion band leader
Anton Boyarskikh
Music Producer of Tavrida Art Cluster
Music Producer of Tavrida Art Cluster
Anna Hramova
Deputy Director of Novosibirsk Philharmonic Society for International Relations
Deputy Director of Novosibirsk Philharmonic Society for International Relations
Alena Bolkvadze
Pianist, producer
Pianist, producer
Alexey Cheremizov
Pianist, producer, bandleader
Pianist, producer, bandleader
Alexey Podymkin
Journalist, TV and radio host, music producer on Radio Russia
Journalist, TV and radio host, music producer on Radio Russia
Alexey Pevchev
Producer, organizer, community leader
Producer, organizer, community leader
Alexey Krivsky
Singer-songwriter, music producer, vocal coach
Singer-songwriter, music producer, vocal coach
Alexandra Almazova
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
Founder of WartaJazz, Indonesia
Founder of WartaJazz, Indonesia
Agus Setiawan Basuni
Jazzpreneur Agus Setiawan Basuni, loves to travel and cook. Over the years he has produced more than 10 Jazz Festivals in Indonesia. His organisation, WartaJazz in the an ecosystem of Jazz in Indonesia.Proactively working with multiple organisations and individuals promoting Jazz and World Music, Agus is one of the key figures in bringing Indonesian arts and music to the world.
Settlers manager
Settlers manager
Alexandra Evlashkina
Director of Igor Butman Foundation, Executive Producer of Oleg Akkuratov
Director of Igor Butman Foundation, Executive Producer of Oleg Akkuratov
Anton Sergeyev
People’s Artist of Russia, pianist, educator, composer, producer
People’s Artist of Russia, pianist, educator, composer, producer
Daniil Kramer
Executive Producer of Leningrad Bridges Festival, Proletarian Tango frontman, actor
Executive Producer of Leningrad Bridges Festival, Proletarian Tango frontman, actor
Dmitry Karanevsky
Technical director and sound engineer of Igor Butman Music Group and Moscow Jazz Orchestra
Technical director and sound engineer of Igor Butman Music Group and Moscow Jazz Orchestra
Evgeniy Pocikaylik
Author, radio host, and Art Director of the Gelendzhik Young Jazz Festival
Author, radio host, and Art Director of the Gelendzhik Young Jazz Festival
Michail Ikonnikov
Professional activity in radio began in 1989 on state radio where he worked as a sound operator. In 1992, he was one of the founders of Radio 101 and then worked as a host on stations such as Radio ROX (1993–1996) and Prestige Radio (1996–1998).
From 1992 to 1999, he was the author and presenter of the jazz program “Jazz. Private Collection”. In 1994, he became a regular music reviewer for the weekly newspaper “Nedelya.” From 1995 to 1998, he held the position of deputy director of the first Russian supermarket selling music and video products called “Purple Legion.”
In 2001–2016, he was a radio host and music director at Mayak radio station, and later became one of the creators and programming directors of Jazz Radio (since 2002, again in 2018–2019). In 2006, he acted as music editor for Vera Glazoleva’s movie “Devil’s Wheel.” From 2013 to 2021, he served as music director at Radio RT in Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana.
From 2014 to 2021, he was art director of the international jazz festival Koktebel Jazz Party in Crimea, and between 2014 and February 2024, he presented the show “Musical Review” on Sputnik Radio in Crimea. Since July 2022, he has been hosting the weekly program “Simply About Jazz” on Radio Rossii and Radio Kultura, while starting in July 2024, he presents sections “Music Events in Moscow” and “Music. Events” on Radio Rossii (Moscow, 101.5 FM). In 2024, Mikhail Ikonnikov became the art director of the Gelendzhik Young Jazz Festival.
Head of Musical Program at Igor Butman Music Group
Head of Musical Program at Igor Butman Music Group
Elena Ryabuhina
Graduate of Maurice Thorez Moscow Linguistic University, specializing in international communication.
She worked as a journalist and translator for magazines such as Elle Decoration and Happy Parents published by Hachette Filipacchi. From 1999 to 2005, she performed with the Moscow band Sleepwalkers, playing country, rockabilly, and blues music.
Since 2005, Elena began working at ArthMania agency as a press attaché and coordinator of musical projects. Since 2007, she held the position of music director and curated the program for the Usadba Jazz festival in Moscow and other cities. She also selected and booked international artists for all agency projects, including the French jazz festival Le Jazz, City Jazz and Moscow Jazz Festival, Korean culture festival in Russia, Bossa Nova festival.
She organized concerts and tours for artists such as bass player Richard Bona (USA), double-bass player Avishai Cohen (Israel), Melody Gardot (USA), Pink Martini band (USA), legendary guitarist John McLaughlin (UK), John Scofield (USA), Jamie Cullum, Joss Stone, Branford Marsalis (USA), Earth Wind & Fire Experience featuring Al McKay (USA), among others. She arranged performances for private events like cabaret shows Crazy Horse (France) and Tropicana (Cuba).
From 2019 to 2021, she served as Director of International and Special Projects at Alexey Kozlov club and media resource JAZZIST. Since 2021, Elena has been Head of Musical Programming at Igor Butman Music Group.
She has extensive experience working with major Russian stars, including Leonid Agutin, Hibla Gerzmava, Anna Aglatova, ballerina Diana Vishneva, Splijn band, Ivan Dorn, Alexei Chumakov, Yuri Antonov, Sofia Rotaru, Boris Grebenshchikov, Diana Arbenina, Elka, L’One. Twice she served on the jury of the German music forum Jazzahead (the only Russian juror ever). Regularly attends international music exhibitions and showcases as a participant and speaker.
Organized concerts for Russian artists abroad: tour of Horsepower band through France and Belgium, performances by young Russian ensembles at festivals in France (Jazz à Juan) and Netherlands (Amersfoort Jazz Festival).
Jazz Musician and Producer
Jazz Musician and Producer
Oleg Butman
Graduate of St. Petersburg Musorgsky Music College. In the 1980s, he played in bands led by Valery Zuikov, David Goloshekin, Igor Butman, performing alongside visiting American stars such as Jon Faddis, Billy Taylor, Grover Washington, Pat Metheny. Participated in recording trombonist Vyacheslav Nazarov’s album “Letter to a Friend.”
In 1990, Oleg moved to the USA, collaborating with vibraphonist Joe Locke, bassist Eddie Gomez, pianist Andy LaVerne, guitarist Ron Affif. In 1998, he embarked on a Russian tour with the project “Four Brothers” (featuring himself, brother Igor Butman, and brothers Mikhail and Andrey Ivanov).
In 2001, Oleg returned to Russia with his American quartet and tenor saxophonist Craig Handy. Continued touring with renowned musicians such as guitarist Mark Whitfield, saxophonist Vincent Herring, pianist Larry Willis. In 2007, together with Moscow-based pianist Natalya Smirnova, created the Jazz Passion (“Passion for Jazz”) project.
Oleg Butman recorded six albums, three of them containing original compositions, and released six live DVDs with jazz legends: Eric Marienthal, Randy Brecker, Nathan East, Gregory Porter, Roy Hargrove, Donny McCaslin, Wayne Escoffery, Eddie Gomez, Leon Foster Thomas, Essiet Okon Essiet.
Participated in international festivals: Porto Jazz Festival (Portugal, 2019), Riga Jazz Festival (Latvia, 2017), Akra Jazz Festival (Turkey, 2023), Washington DC Jazz Festival (USA, 2019), Berlin A-Train Jazz Festival (Germany, 2019), New York A.P.A.P (USA, 2018), Hot Jazz Festival (Israel, 2016), Delhi International Jazz Festival (India, 2013), Baikal Jazz Festival (Irkutsk, annually), Triumph of Jazz (Moscow, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2020), Moscow Jazz Festival (2023), etc.
Music Manager, Deputy Art Director for Operational Activities at Alexey Kozlov Club
Music Manager, Deputy Art Director for Operational Activities at Alexey Kozlov Club
Leila Tuleusheva
Born into a family of musicians: her mother is a classical pianist, father is a jazz guitarist and music personality in Ulyanovsk city, grandfather is conductor and director of Ulyanovsk Music College. Graduated from Shadrina Music College in Theory of Music (2006) and Gnesins Russian Academy of Music in Music Management (2011).
Within a relatively short time, she earned a reputation as an effective manager who understands context well within the Russian jazz scene. Worked with artists: Sergei Golovnya, LRK Trio, ASET, Anastasia Lyutova, Varvara Revnyuk, Alina Rostotskaya, Yury and Alexander Kompaneitzes, etc.
Served as assistant art director of the international jazz festival Koktebel Jazz Party (2020–2021), music manager at Magnetophone Music Agency (2022–2023). Since August 2023, she has been deputy art director for operational activities at Alexey Kozlov Club.
Specializes in strategic promotion of artists, development and implementation of creative concepts for projects, creating video/photo production campaigns, booking and administration of artist performances, tour management, commercial deals, documentation processing, visa support, and interaction with Russian Authors Society.
Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer, Vocal-Music Teacher
Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer, Vocal-Music Teacher
Sasha Almazova
Creator and vocalist of the authorial project “Sasha Almazova and Non Cadenza,” which has been drawing audiences and performing at festivals across the country for more than twenty years. Trained linguist, English language teacher, candidate of pedagogical sciences. Winner of the international English-language literary competition The Pushkin Prize Competition. Studied courses in music management and songwriting at UCLA (Los Angeles) and Estill Voice Training (EVT).
Author and producer of several studio albums and numerous singles. Recipient of awards “Time Out New Music” and “Golden Gargoyle.” Founder of the vocal education project “WhatIfChoir” in Saint Petersburg. Vocal coach in the film “Pushkin” starring Yura Borissov.
Performed opening acts for Jazzamor, The Brand New Heavies, Roisin Murphy. Shared stages with Red Snapper, Karl Frierson, Parov Stelar, Goran Bregovic, Ivan Dorn, Zaz, Nino Katamadze, Boris Grebenschikov, and many other stars.
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).
Speakers and Participants 2021
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.
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.”
Artistic director of Timitar Festival, Visa For Music Showcase Festival, expert on cultural policy and creative industries at the UNESCO, Morocco
Artistic director of Timitar Festival, Visa For Music Showcase Festival, expert on cultural policy and creative industries at the UNESCO, Morocco
Brahim El Mazned
As a member of the EU/UNESCO Bank of Expertise 2019-2022, and an expert on cultural policy and creative industries at the UNESCO for several years, Brahim El Mazned is also a member of the jury and artistic adviser for numerous cultural events in Morocco and across the world.
After more than twenty years of active participation in the cultural sector, Brahim El Mazned is considered today as an essential reference in the organisation of major artistic events and musical programming in Morocco and around the world.
Since 2004, Brahim El Mazned has been the artistic director of Timitar Festival, an event mainly dedicated to Amazigh culture, which was made known throughout the world and which has become one of the major events in the world of music. Besides promoting the Amazigh (Berber) culture, the festival welcomes more than 600 artists and receives around half a million audience each year.
In 2014, Brahim El Mazned launched Visa For Music (VFM), the first festival/professional market dedicated to singers and musicians from Africa and the Middle East, which now takes place every year in November in Rabat (Morocco).
As a founder of the ANYA cultural enterprise, Brahim El Mazned has taken part in about a hundred conferences and has initiated dozens of artistic residencies in many countries and regions around the world (Brazil, France, Spain, Australia, United States, Canada, Reunion Island, New Caledonia, Madagascar, South Africa, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, Norway, Greece, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon…). He has taken part in the recording and publishing of dozens of albums, as well as in the organisation of hundreds of concerts in prestigious festivals and venues across the five continents. In addition to this, he has participated in a multitude of meetings and workshops aimed at developing cultural expertise.
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.
CEO of Prime Tours & Promotion, Germany
CEO of Prime Tours & Promotion, Germany
Georg Pfaab
In 1992 Georg co-founded Transatlantico Tours & Services, a Berlin-based booking company which soon turned into the leading agency for Brazilian artists in Europe, later on promoting a variety of artists, such as Youssou N D́ our, Branford Marsalis, Caetano Veloso, Incognito,Cassandra Wilson, Jazzkantine, Khaled, Noa, Cheikh Lô, Ruben Gonzales & Ibrahim Ferrer, AlJarreau, Goran Bregovic, Manu Chao, and Toto.
In 2006 he founded Prime Tours & Promotion, a live-booking agency and tour-promoter based in Berlin for artists in jazz, world, and pop music. Initially specializing in the German-speakingarea, the agency currently offers a full European-wide tour service that includes booking, production, tour-promotion and accounting.
In long years of work experience, Prime Tours & Promotion has become a boutique agency for selected artists to establish them on the music market and help them build a sustainable career. The artists list includes Mariza (Portugal), Barbara Pravi (France), Diego el Cigala (Spain),Estrella Morente (Spain), Al Jarreau (USA), Faada Freddy (Senegal/France), Amadou & Mariam(Mali), Souad Massi (Algeria/France), ZAZ (France), Sophie Hunger (Switzerland), Madredeus (Portugal), Anna Maria Jopek (Poland), Gustavo Santaolalla (Argentina), Nitin Sahwney (UK),Lisa Simone (France/USA), and Rosanne Cash (USA).
General director of the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic
General director of the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic
Yevgeny STODUSHNY
In June 2018, according to the results of an open competition,Yevgeny Stodushny assumed the post of General Director ofthe Krasnoyarsk Regional Philharmonia — one of the largestconcert organizations beyond the Urals. From 2007 to 2018, heworked as Deputy Director for Planning Concerts and FinancialActivities at the Virtuosi of Moscow State Chamber Orchestra.Alongside his professional activity, from 2010 to 2012, heunderwent an advanced training course at the DeVos Instituteof Arts Management (Washington, USA), where he trained in themarketing and fundraising departments of the Kennedy Centerfor the Performing Arts.Being invited to the Moscow Art Theater School Studio,Evgeny wrote and taught the course «Production Activity in theMusic and Concert Sphere». He participates as an expert in theseminars of the Union of the Concert Organizations of Russia.
Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist
Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist
Lee Ritenour
Lee Ritenour has maintained a delicate balance between the individual creative vision and the group dynamic, since the beginning of his career. He did his first session work in the late ‘60s with the Mamas and the Papas, who dubbed him Captain Fingers for demonstrating incredible dexterity while still in his teens. Since his early recordings in the 1970s, he has earned a Grammy Award and 19 Grammy nominations, numerous #1 spots on guitar polls, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian SJ Awards, and a prestigious “Alumnus of the Year” Award from the University of Southern California.
He has recorded more than 40 albums that have yielded 35 chart songs. As a young guitarist, he put his combination of diverse musical styles and brilliant technical chops to work on more than 3,000 sessions with a broad spectrum of artists, and was a founding member of Fourplay, which is considered the most successful group in contemporary jazz.
Grammy and Tony Award-winning Jazz Singer, USA
Grammy and Tony Award-winning Jazz Singer, USA
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Over the course of a multifaceted career spanning four decades, Grammy and Tony Award-winning Jazz giant Dee Dee Bridgewater has ascended to the upper echelon of vocalists, putting her unique spin on standards, as well as taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics. Ever the fearless voyager, explorer, pioneer and keeper of tradition, the three-timeGrammy-winner most recently won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for Eleanora Fagan(1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee.
Bridgewater’s career has always bridged musical genres. She earned her first professional experience as a member of the legendary Thad Jones/Mel Louis Big Band, and throughout the70’s she performed with such jazz notables as Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon andDizzy Gillespie.
Bridgewater also pursued a parallel career in musical theater, winning a Tony Award for her role as Glinda in The Wiz in 1975 Having recently completed a run as the lead role of Billie Holiday in the off-Broadway production of Lady Day, her other theatrical credits include SophisticatedLadies, Black Ballad, Carmen, Cabaret, and the Off-Broadway and West End Productions of LadyDay, for which Bridgewater received the British Laurence Olivier Nomination for Best Actress in aMusical.
As a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),Bridgewater continues to appeal for international solidarity to finance global grassroots projects in the fight against world hunger. She is currently on tour worldwide in support of Memphis, her new CD, and in April of this year was the recipient of an NEA Jazz Masters Fellows Award with honors bestowed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Artistic director of the Yaroslavl Jazz Center, the producer of the oldest Russian jazz
festival “Jazz Over the Volga River”, director of the Jazz Research Center.
Artistic director of the Yaroslavl Jazz Center, the producer of the oldest Russian jazz
festival “Jazz Over the Volga River”, director of the Jazz Research Center.
Igor Gavrilov
The Yaroslavl Jazz Center is a municipal organization, serving as the successor of theYaroslavl Jazz Lovers Club (1974) that got its own building in 1999 Igor regularly organizes concerts, the international festival “Jazz Over the Volga River”, and jazzs team boat cruises. The Yaroslavl Jazz Center also offers a platform for the national jazz archive known as the Jazz Research Center.
Igor was the head of the organizing committee of the Soviet Jazz Federation that was formed in 1988 and disbanded after the Soviet Union collapsed.Igor Gavrilov has sparked public interest in the birth of Russian jazz (October 1, 1922) by corresponding on this topic with the President and the Russian Ministry of Culture over the last 15 years.
Executive director and founder of the creative agency RED EVENTS, creative director of Moscow
State University’s Botanical Garden “Aptekarsky Ogorod”
Executive director and founder of the creative agency RED EVENTS, creative director of Moscow
State University’s Botanical Garden “Aptekarsky Ogorod”
Alexander Almin
In 2015 Alexander graduated from Moscow State Open University with a degree inInternational Economic Relations.
Since 2015 Alexander has been the creative director of MSU Botanical Garden “Aptekarsky Gorod”. In 2017 he founded the creative agency RED EVENTS, serving as its executive director ever since. He is also the founder of the contemporary art festival ARS HORTUS (2018), founder of the international opera festival BAROCCO NIGHTS (2019), founder of the contemporary music festival XVOYA Neoclassic fest. (2020), and the executive director of the Jazz City Festival (2019).
For the last 10 years, Alexander has been actively engaged in developing city parks and public spaces, creating and promoting new cultural centers, popularizing academic and jazz music, and producing artists and bands.
Director and Co-Founder of Wax Booking Agency, France
Director and Co-Founder of Wax Booking Agency, France
Sylvain Dartoy
Passionate about African cultures, entrepreneur, tireless traveller and co-founder of WaxBooking Agency in 2010, he has since devoted himself to artistic production. His main idea is to present Africa and its resonance in the world in all its diversity and modernity. A true talent scout, producer of international tours and shows, he is one of the European references in his specialties.
Editor-in-chief of Citizen Jazz, France
Editor-in-chief of Citizen Jazz, France
Matthieu Jouan
Matthieu Jouan is the editor-in-chief of Citizen Jazz (www.citizenjazz.com) and Epistrophy journal (www.epistrophy.fr). Author of a book on Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Harmattan, 1999). Editor of “Passage en revue: 15 years of Citizen Jazz” (collective – JEMI, 2016). Curator of theCentenary of Jazz in Europe (2018). Ambassador of the Land of Liege. Member of the EuropeMedia Charts and the French Victoires du Jazz.
Advisor of Foreign Relations in Estonian Ministry of Culture
Advisor of Foreign Relations in Estonian Ministry of Culture
Madli-Liis Parts
Madli-Liis Parts has been working at the Estonian Ministry of Culture, where she started as the Music Advisor, since 2016, continuing her career as the Advisor of Foreign Relations since fall 2021 She has been a committed music journalist for more than 20 years. She is also one of the founders and an incumbent member of Europe Jazz Media Group. She was the project manager of Jazzkaar Festival´s education program for young jazz journalists in2002-2008 and the initiator of International Jazz Appreciation Month activities in Estonia, leading the project throughout 2004-2008.
Madli-Liis is an experienced communication and reputation-building mentor for solo artists, groups, and participants in various events both in Estonia and abroad. She has been the executive manager of Estonian Composers’ Union and the long-time organizer of the major festival of Estonian contemporary classical music – Estonian Music Days. Her brainchild, a2014 multiple awards-winning music education project called “Mini Estonian Music Days”,was the first festival in Estonia to give school kids an opportunity to organise a music festival with the guiding help of mentors.
Madli-Liis’ career record has also seen her as the program coordinator of the project “Tallinn– European Capital of Culture 2011”, the program leader for Tallinn Culture Cauldron, the music program coordinator for the Estonian young producers program “EK:Labor”, and a producer and curator of multiple international music festivals and projects.Her work in the music industry has taken her across Scandinavia, Europe, the USA, andNorthern Africa.
Artistic Director for Toronto Downtown Jazz (TDJ), Canada
Artistic Director for Toronto Downtown Jazz (TDJ), Canada
Josh Grossman
Josh Grossman is Artistic Director for Toronto Downtown Jazz (TDJ), producer of the annual TD Toronto Jazz Festival, one of Canada’s largest international music festivals.Josh is a trumpeter and a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Jazz PerformanceProgram; he is the founding Artistic Director and Conductor for the 18-piece TorontoJazz Orchestra, now in its 22nd year.
Josh has served as Performance Manager for The Glenn Gould School at The RoyalConservatory; Manager for the High Park Choirs of Toronto (now called Young VoicesToronto); and Operations Manager for Continuum Contemporary Music, one ofCanada’s top contemporary chamber ensembles. Josh was Artistic Director for the Markham Jazz Festival from 2006 to 2009
Producer, founder and President of EMM (Edelman Music Management), USA
Producer, founder and President of EMM (Edelman Music Management), USA
Jeff Edelman
Edelman Music Management is one of the most renowned promotion agencies that operate across the post-Soviet space. EMM has cooperated with numerous prominent musicians from the US and Europe.
Besides collaborating with world-famous artists across multiple genres, EMM focuses on talent scouting and international promotion. Jeff Edelman runs workshops and webinars on international music management and interviews famous musicians as part of his “BackstageStories with Jeff Edelman” project. Jeff can find promising new artists before they become known to the wider pubic.
Jeff Edelman and EMM have cooperated with such artists as Larry Coryell, Seamus Blake,Dennis Chambers, Lenny White, Scott Henderson, Christian Galvez, Frank Gambale, StanleyJordan, Scott Kinsey, Hadrien Feraud, Frank McComb, Sy Smith, Quentin Moore, Garry Willis,Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, Kazumi Watanabe, Anthony David, Jeff Berlin, Сarmen Rodgers, and many others.
The principal of Depth of Field Management
The principal of Depth of Field Management
Darryl Pitt
Darryl Pitt has worked with a diverse array of artists including Andreas Vollenweider, Simon & Garfunkel, Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick, Kurt Elling, The Bad Plus, Mariko Takahashi, Regina Carter,Before becoming an artist manager, Pitt was a photographer and later became a driving force of both the New Age music phenomenon and, separately, thePitt is the founder of the Macovich Collection of Meteorites. Institutions that have acquired meteorites from Pitt include the Natural History Museum (London), TheAcademy of Sciences (Beijing and Moscow) and the Smithsonian.
Pitt has produced concerts at Carnegie Hall and is the co-producer of the Nearness of You concerts honoring Michael Brecker that have featured Chaka Khan, JamesTaylor, Paul Simon, Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin and more.
Producer and artistic director of OLLN KAN Portugal Festival and MIMO Portugal Festival
Producer and artistic director of OLLN KAN Portugal Festival and MIMO Portugal Festival
Carlos Bartilotti
Graduate in International Relations. Post graduate in cultural management.
Producer and artistic director of OLLN KAN Portugal Festival and MIMO Portugal Festival. Trainer at UNESCO in the area of music management in Mozambique. Tour in : Spain, France, UK, Germany,Holland, Belgium, Liechenstein, Norway, Sweden, Canada, USA, Russia, Mozambique, Cabo Verde, Mexico, Brasil, China, World music markets : Spain, France, UK, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Canada, Marrocos , Cabo Verde, Mexico, Colombia.
vocalist, composer, jazz professor and artistic director of JAZZ INSTITUT BERLIN
vocalist, composer, jazz professor and artistic director of JAZZ INSTITUT BERLIN
Céline Rudolph
Vocalist and composer Céline Rudolph glides between Berlin, São Paulo, Paris and New York, between tongues and genres, always landing in the very heart of music.
She studied vocal jazz and composition at Hochschule der Künste Berlin with mentors David Friedman, Jerry Granelli, Kirk Nurock, Jay Clayton and Catherine Gayer. Soon, she plunged into African music and studied with the percussionist Famoudou Konaté in West Africa. Her love of Brazilian music led her to São Paulo where she met Rodolfo Stroeter who produced three of her albums and four tours across Europe and Brazil so far: The albums are BRAZAVENTURE, METAMORFLORES (enja records) and SALVADOR (Verve, Universal).
Since 2015 she is collaborating with Beninese guitarist Lionel Loueke, having recorded the duo album OBSESSION and then playing together at 12th Jarasum International Jazz Festival in South Korea. The album OBSESSION reached the annual list of the German Critics Award „Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik“, and won Céline Rudolph the prestigious German Jazz Award ECHO JAZZ 2018 for best jazz vocalist.
Now, praised as “a jewel of European jazz vocals” by the French radio station, TSF, having recorded numerous albums with many wonderful musicians including Gary Peacock, Bob Moses, Naná Vasconcelos, Diego Figueiredo and Marcos Suzano, and esteemed by colleagues like Bobby McFerrin, Lee Konitz or Jay Clayton, the adventurous pearl fisher sailed from Berlin to Brooklyn for her latest album PEARLS (released 2019).
President of Concerts & Touring at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC)
President of Concerts & Touring at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC)
Georgina Javor
Georgina Javor is the President of Concerts & Touring at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) where she oversees the strategy, budget and implementation of concert programming at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City and the national and international touring operations of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
Previously, she was the Assistant Director of Programming at JALC, managing and curating the programming at Dizzy’s Club and working on mainstage, festival and special event programming. From April 2004 to August 2014, she worked at the Music Center at Strathmore in the Washington, D.C. area, first as part of the public relations and marketing team to open the space in February 2005, and then as Director of Programming. She set the vision for Strathmore’s programming in the 110-seat Music Room, outdoor concert series, artist residencies, and festivals, acted as the administrator for the visual arts program, and was part of the team that launched Strathmore’s 250-seat venue, AMP.
Prior to her time at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Strathmore, she worked in production for the Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary, Broadway: The American Musical.
She graduated with distinction from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2003 and completed her MBA at Georgetown University in 2012. She acted as a judge for the Riga Jazz Stage Contest in Latvia in 2018 and 2019, participated as a panelist at Jazz Congress and Chamber Music America in New York City, and has led workshops for emerging artists at Strathmore and New York University. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for The Westerlies and administers the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival.
Head of Tavrida art cluster
Head of Tavrida art cluster
Sergey Pershin
Many years of experience in managing federal and international public projects. Organization of effective teams in the field of culture and art, creative industries. Creation of the largest creative project in Russia – Tavrida art cluster.
Founder and Artistic Director A to JazZ Festival
Founder and Artistic Director A to JazZ Festival
Peter Dimitrov
Peter Dimitrov is the founder and Artistic Director of multiple festivals and events across Bulgaria.He is particularly famous as the founder of the annual A to JazZ Festival, the CEO of the UnmutedMedia LLC event agency, and the Director of the Mediamix International Festival (2012). He alsoheads the AtoZ Foundation. In 2018, he initiated Sofia’s application to host the European JazzConference in 2020
Dimitrov has also established himself as a skilled producer. He was a co-author of the Recipe forCulture Bulgarian TV show (2005-2009), a co-producer and the host of the Party East of Heavenmusic radio program (2009-2011), and the producer of the first “concert movie” to have ever takenplace in Bulgaria – Lord of Rings in Concert (2014-2015).
In 2019, Peter Dimitrov shared his vast expertise becoming the chief lecturer of the Culture EventsManagement course at the Amadeus Art Academy in Sofia.
Head of WOMEX Special Projects, France/Germany
Head of WOMEX Special Projects, France/Germany
Christine Semba
Consultant, curator and networker, for music and cultural industries. Since 2013, Christine is the head of WOMEX Special Projects, where she has contributed to the creation and development of events for music professionals, conventions and festivals such as Porto Musical, Brazil; Circulart, Colombia; Primera Linea, Cuba; Atlantic Music Expo, Cabo Verde; SOTX Music Expo, China. She has also developed a broad range of international cooperation projects.
She is also the Head of the WOMEX Academy, a capacity building and fellowship programme for music professionals. She has also worked as a consultant/ trainer for internationalization of music and music events in Colombia, Senegal, Jamaica, Barbados, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, etc.
Christine has also served as an expert for the EU and UNESCO Creative Cities Network since 2013.
Previously, she worked as director of professional music network Zone Franche where she led the EU-funded “ACP Music Festivals Network” and before that, was director of content & programmes at WOMEX for nine years.
The founder of The Kurland Agency
The founder of The Kurland Agency
Ted Kurland
Ted Kurland is the founder of The Kurland Agency, which opened its doors in 1975 in Boston. At the time, he was a recent graduate of Brandeis University, where he majored in economics. After Kurland graduated, he first worked for a small Boston talent agency, an invaluable experience that launched his career into the talent booking business. With two partners, he later started All American Talent, an agency that booked primarily blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, George Thorogood, Hound Dog Taylor, and Ko Ko Taylor. All American Talent turned into Ted Kurland Associates, now The Kurland Agency, and the agency’s emphasis shifted to booking jazz artists.
Eminent jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton was the first artist to become a client of the new company. Soon after, other major performers such as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Bill Evans, Roy Haynes, Milt Jackson, Charles Mingus, Isaac Hayes, Dexter Gordon, Nina Simone, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Jaco Pastorius, Ravi Shankar, Astor Piazzolla, Stephane Grappelli, Tony Williams, Bill Evans, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Bela Fleck and many other celebrated jazz musicians joined the growing TKA family of artists.
Kurland’s client services with some musicians grew to include management and negotiating recording, music publishing, movie soundtrack and video licensing agreements.
By the early 1980’s, the agency expanded their bookings internationally and became well established in every major market in the world, arranging tours throughout Europe, Asia, and South America and even the former USSR.
Although TKA remains well-known for representation of major jazz artists, they now focus on prominent performers from all genres of music such as blues, roots, world, and contemporary singer/songwriters.
The head of the company “J Group”, producer of festivals: “Wild Mint”, “Zarya”, “VIOLET”.
The head of the company “J Group”, producer of festivals: “Wild Mint”, “Zarya”, “VIOLET”.
Andrey Klyukin
Since 1999, he has worked for Nashe Radio, where he worked his way up from producer of the night show to creative director of the News Media Radio Group holding: Nashe Radio, Best FM, ULTRA, combining this work with conducting the AIR program (live concerts). From 2005 to 2007 he was the producer of the festival “Nashestvie”.
In June 2007, he opened the J GROUP company, which holds large and local festivals with attendance from 1,000 to 450,000 people, creates new festival brands, organizes musical events in Moscow.
Victoria is the Executive Director of the International Student Jazz Festival held in the city of Novosibirsk.
Victoria is the Executive Director of the International Student Jazz Festival held in the city of Novosibirsk.
Victoria Verba
A Bachelor of Financial and Business Economics – a degree earned at Royal Holloway, University of London – Victoria graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Music Business in 2020. As of now, she is enrolled in the CopyrightX course at Harvard Law School to become an expert in copyright law.
Throughout her career she has produced concerts featuring such musicians as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Aida Cuevas, Natalia Lafourcade, Danilo Perez, and many others. Victoria works as an A&R and concert manager for various American media companies. She is also the producer of Tristan Simone – an American hip-hop artist and a Lollapalooza performer.
Victoria has been the Ambassador of the Ministry of Culture of Novosibirsk Region and the Director of the International Student Jazz Festival since 2017.
Rector of the Russian Institute of Theatre Art – GITIS.
Rector of the Russian Institute of Theatre Art – GITIS.
Grigory Zaslavsky
PhD in Philological Sciences. Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.
Graduated from the Faculty of Theater Studies of the Russian Academy of Theater Arts (1993), the course of Inna Solovieva.
On November 15, 2016, he was elected Rector of the Russian Institute of Theatere – GITIS.
PhD in Philological Sciences (2011). Associate Professor of the Department of History of the Theater of Russia GITIS.
Laureate of the Moscow City Prize.
Member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation of the 7th convocation, First Deputy Chairman of the Commission for the Development of Culture and the Preservation of Moral Heritage (since 2020).
Media Manager of the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic
Media Manager of the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic
Daria Bochkareva
In 2011 graduated from Omsk State University named after F.M. Dostoevsky with a degree in Management of socio-cultural activities.
From the age of 18, she worked as a live presenter on regional radio stations. Until 2016 – Project Manager of the Omsk Philharmonic.
She developed and implemented the first summer open-air of classical music in Siberia, the Bolshoi Symphonic Park, which is now held annually in Omsk.
Held a PR campaign for the 75th anniversary of the Omsk Philharmonic “Piano Art Challenge” – the project was awarded First place in the nomination “Corporate Communications” of the National Award in the field of public relations “Silver Archer – Siberia” in 2016.
In 2017, she graduated from the Moscow Higher School of Social and Economic Sciences “Shaninka” – Management in the field of culture, received a diploma from the University of Manchester – Master of Arts in cultural management and began teaching at the Production Faculty of GITIS.
Currently, he is the Media Manager of the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic.
Music journalist, curator and vinyl collector
Music journalist, curator and vinyl collector
Denis Boyarinov
Denis Boyarinov has been writing about Russian and foreign music for almost 20 years, ranging from underground electronica to pop and rock mainstream phenomena. In the age of paper media he worked in and contributed to the iconic Russian magazines OM, Afisha and Time Out. He is a co-founder of Colta.ru, an independent online media outlet dedicated to culture and art, and is the head of the edition’s Contemporary Music section. Alongside his work as a journalist, he curates music events (Island of the 90s Festival, Sound Up Series), collects vinyl, plays DJ sets, and gives lectures on the history of popular music.
General Director of the Russian Concert Agency, Director of the NEW RUSSIA State Symphony Orchestra
General Director of the Russian Concert Agency, Director of the NEW RUSSIA State Symphony Orchestra
Dmitry Grinchenko
General Director of the “Russian Concert Agency”, Director of the State Symphony Orchestra “New Russia”, General Producer of the Winter International Festival of Arts in Sochi, the All-Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra, a large number of festivals in Russia and abroad, etc.)
Jazz guitarist, composer, winner of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition
Jazz guitarist, composer, winner of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition
Evgeny Pobozhy
Guitarist and composer Evgeny Pobozhy is the first Russian musician to become the winner of the famous Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Guitar Competition 2019, the most significant competition in the world of jazz. As a soloist of the Moscow Jazz Orchestra and leader of his own band, Evgeny took part in many significant events in the jazz world, including the world’s largest festivals (Rochester Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival, Lotos Jazz Festival, Jazz Triumph, etc.); performed at major jazz venues around the world (Blue Note jazz club, New York; Ronnie Scott’s, London; A-Trane, Berlin; Blue Note, Beijing, etc.).
In 2018, together with the Moscow Jazz Orchestra, Evgeny took part in The International Jazz Day Global Concert (St. Petersburg), performing on the same stage with world stars of the first magnitude, such as Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Manhattan Transfer, Branford Marsalis, Joey Defransesco. In 2020, Evgeny Pobozhy and Igor Butman became representatives of Russia who took part in The International Jazz Day Virtual Global Concert — an online broadcast dedicated to the International Jazz Day, which included performances by such recognized masters as Marcus Miller, John Scofield, John Mclaughlin, Danilo Perez, Diane Reeves, Lizz Wright, Lee Ritenour and others.
He holds the titles of Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation (1995), Honoured Art Worker of the Russian Federation (2005), and is awarded with the Order of Friendship (2019).
He holds the titles of Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation (1995), Honoured Art Worker of the Russian Federation (2005), and is awarded with the Order of Friendship (2019).
Leonid Vintskevich
Leonid Vintskevich is a jazz pianist, composer, music educator, organizer, and a public activist who has had a major influence on the development of Russian jazz. He is the founder and art director of the international festival “Jazz Province”. He holds the titles of Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation (1995), Honoured Art Worker of the Russian Federation (2005), and is awarded with the Order of Friendship (2019).
Leonid Vintskevich is an active concert pianist who regularly takes part in major international jazz festivals in Europe, Russia, America, the CIS, such as Prague International Jazz Festival, Jazzbuehne in Berlin, Jazztage in Leipzig, North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz in Europe, Baltic Jazz, Jazz Kaar, Turku Jazz Festival, Kaamus Jazz, Silda Jazz, Jazz Stroom, Vilas Jazz Blues, Vilnius Jazz Festival, Jazz Birstonas Festival, and many others. He is one of the original jazz composers who focus on European improvisation music and the 20th century classical music. The pianist’s virtuosity and inventiveness, his unorthodox “explosive” way of thinking, his powerful playing, his passion, his deep-Russian mindset, and Herculean scale have all been highly acclaimed by audiences and critics alike.
Since 1996 Leonid Vintskevich has been the inspirer, organiser and art director of a unique project — the annual international festival “Jazz Province” whose geography extends from Krasnoyarsk to Krasnodar. It is about more than 25 cities, 30 days of touring in the best concert halls of Central Russia, the Volga region, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and more than 100 outstanding musicians from Russia and abroad each year (in total, over the years the festival has been attended by some 2500 artists). In 2013, the Festival and Leonid Vintskevich himself were awarded the prestigious Russian Federation Culture & Art Prize “For Popularisation of Jazz and the Creation and Organization of the Annual International Festival “Jazz Province”.
Founder of the Usadba Jazz Festival and CEO of the ArtMania Event Agency
Founder of the Usadba Jazz Festival and CEO of the ArtMania Event Agency
Maria Semushkina
Maria is an international music expert in organizing large-scale festivals and concerts, the founder of the Usadba Jazz Festival, and the CEO of the ArtMania Event Agency since 2004In 17 years of her career, Maria has founded and produced dozens of city and club festivals and concerts that promote jazz and quality music, the list including Jazz in the Old Town Festival, LeJazz Festival, New Classics Festival, Bi-2’s first symphonic concert, the international city art festival “Nikolin Day”that featured Emir Kusturica, Evgeny Margulis, Elka, Uma2rman, French street theaters and was attended by more than 70,000 people in just two days.
Maria actively supports and produces young music talents involved in singing-songwriting, jazz, authentic folk, and contemporary classical music.
She has her own blog in Snob Edition, manages the Telegram channel “Semushkina’s Usadba”,hosts various music radio shows, and gives lectures.
The year 2016 marked the beginning of the regular “Semushkina’s Home Concerts”.In 2020 Maria and her festival colleagues launched a social project – the online laboratory Usadba Kids. It culminated in the Forum&Festival of the same name that was held in 4 Russian cities, supporting more than 300 young talents from across the country.
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 ofNovokuznetsk.
Olga produces such international festivals as Jazz by the Old Castle, KuZnya jazZ, and the Siberian Encounters Arts Festival. She is also anaward-winning vocalist at several international festivals, and the MP of“A Just Russia – For Truth” political party for the City Assembly.
Founder and the CEO of J&M Group
Founder and the CEO of J&M Group
Maria Voloshina
J&M Group consists of the jazz and musical school “J&M”, the production center “J&M Show”, and the non-profit creative center of excellence “Musical Discovery”. Maria is also an ICF coach, business expert, and a producer.
Head of Partner Relations Department at ZVONKO digital
Head of Partner Relations Department at ZVONKO digital
Kamilla Nizamova
Started her career in the music industry as part of the team launching ONErpm’s office in Russia: initially as an A&R specialist, later as a project manager for jazz and classical music projects. On behalf of ONErpm, she oversaw the release of Igor Butman’s album Only Now.
She has a background in FMCG, TV production (she managed outside broadcasting of various sport events including the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and 2018 FIFA World Cup), live TV production of concerts and music shows, managing jazz gigs and artists.
Founder of Lanote Education
Founder of Lanote Education
Andrey Lipatov
He is a Master in Pedagogy, member of Expert Council of Moscow’s Center ofExcellence for Arts, course designer, pianist, winner of international contests.
In the spring of 2019 Andrey founded Lanote Education, a music training center serving as an entire ecosystem where musicians and educators of any level can upgrade their competence using top professionals’ best practices. In just 2 years the center has been venue for 32 offline and 240 online educational events that brought together 8300 attendees from across 14 countries. The list of speakers included leading musicians from Russia, Europe and the US, such as Bob Stoloff, Jamey Aebersold, Gretchen Parlato, Ari Hoenig, Evgeny Lebedev, Evgeny Pobozhiy, and many othеrs.
Organizer of such international jazz festivals as Moving and Moving Club Meets Friends.
Organizer of such international jazz festivals as Moving and Moving Club Meets Friends.
Denis Rybakov
He is the organizer of such international jazz festivals as Moving and Moving Club Meets Friends. He also programs the Samara Open Jazz Festival and is the founder of the MovingClub Camp.
Denis is the Director of the Moving Jazz Studio that includes a jazz school, concert agency, and a range of other projects geared to promoting jazz in the region of Samara. He is also the head of the Melomania Music School.
Musician, Art Manager of Art and Culture Public Foundation, Kyrgyzstan
Musician, Art Manager of Art and Culture Public Foundation, Kyrgyzstan
Munara Korpotaeva
Munara Korpotaeva is a pianist, musician, and an art manager. Her primary focus is classical, jazz, and experimental music. She worked as the art manager of the JazzBishkek Spring Festival for 5 years.
Today Munara works at the Art and Culture Public Foundation, which she and her fellow thinkers founded in 2018 She is also a career pianist at the Kyrgyz National Conservatory.
Munara has taken part in such international projects as the Unsound DislocationBishkek Electronic Music Festival, Playing Together: Central Asian Academy ofContemporary Music, and others.She is a graduate of Goethe-Institut’s Cultural Academy for Art Managers.
Musician, artist and composer at the Ilkhom Theatre of Mark Weil, Uzbekistan
Musician, artist and composer at the Ilkhom Theatre of Mark Weil, Uzbekistan
Sanjar Nafikov
Sanjar Nafikov is a musician, artist, and a composer at the Ilkhom Theatre of Mark Weil. He graduated from the Conservatory of Uzbekistan with a degree in piano performance. He has been a frequent participant in Central Asian jazz festivals since 2009 He also works as the art director and the pianist for the Tashkent band Jazzirama that explores the fusion of jazz and traditional Uzbek music.
Sanjar is a co-founder of the Ilkhom Jazz Club in Tashkent. In 2014-2016 he was a band member of the world music star Sevara.
Since 2015 Sanjar has been playing contemporary music in Omnibus Ensemble, which, among other things, delves into traditional Uzbek music, and in Omnibus Jazz Lab, an international cross-genre project.
Music Works International’s (MWI) booking agent and promoter
Music Works International’s (MWI) booking agent and promoter
Luigi Sidero
European agent and promoter Luigi Sidero, a veteran of the European jazz scene whohas worked with some of the most refined jazz artists and festivals in Europe, assumedresponsibility for Music Works International’s (MWI) bookings in Central & EasternEurope. MWI is one of the few global jazz booking agencies with a dedicated agentbased in Europe. With a vast experience in musical scene and a long career as a jazzpianist, he is seeking new challenges and responsibilities to take his professionalism tothe next level.
Founder of the Jazzist online magazine
Founder of the Jazzist online magazine
Lev Borovkov
Lev Borovkov was born in Moscow in 1985 He is trained as a lawyer specializing in intellectual property, media and broadcasting. He spent his university days studying classical guitar and learning music from the records by his favourite jazz and blues guitarists.
In May 2020 he created the jazz Telegram channel The Lost Chords. In August, together with the Alexey Kozlov Club’s art director Araik Akopian and the bloggerAlexander Anoshin, he founded the Jazzist online magazine (jazzist.ru). Thanks to the sound producer Andrey Levin, the magazine soon evolved into an entire label. Today the label’s catalogue includes the albums My Story by Dmitry Ilugdin’s Trio andAntigravity by Anna Koroleva.
Composer, director of the Dushanbe International Ethnic and Jazz Festival
Composer, director of the Dushanbe International Ethnic and Jazz Festival
Jasur Khalilov
Jasur Khalilov is a composer, pianist, and the director of the Dushanbe InternationalEthnic and Jazz Festival. He has inspired multiple musical projects, such as Khalil Brothers Trio, Modern Tajik Music, Jasur Khalilov Trio, both in Tajikistan and beyond.Having made an invaluable contribution to contemporary music in Central Asia, Jasur has been awarded numerous diplomas and accolades from various international jazz and ethnic festivals.
The year 2021 marked the release of his solo album Oriental Love Tales on the Germanlabel Hofa. Jasur often tours across Europe with prominent local musicians. He is theonly musician in Tajikistan to take part in the annual International Jazz Day celebrationorganized by jazz legend Herbie Hencock.
For over 6 years Jasur has been the director of the Dushanbe International Ethnic andJazz Festival, which is the venue for concerts and workshops by jazz musicians from allover the world.
Jazz researcher, editor of Jazz.AzJazz researcher, editor of Jazz.Az
Jazz researcher, editor of Jazz.AzJazz researcher, editor of Jazz.Az
Turan Mamedalieva
Turan Mamedalieva has a PhD in Arts and is an Associate Professor in the MusicTheory Department at the Hajibeyov Baku Academy of Music. She was born onMay 21 in 1976 in Baku. She is a graduate of music history and theory from the Hajibeyov Baku Academy of Music, a jazz researcher, the editor of Jazz.Az, and a senior officer in the Music Division of the Arts Department in the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.
Turan was a participant in the International Jazz Day in 2012, 2015, and 2018 She is the founder and programmer of the 1st International Festival and the ArtSeminar of the 8th International Jazz Day (2019). She is also the initiator of the Jazzery Voices Association and the Jazzery Voices Project that celebrates the100th anniversary of the Hajibeyov Baku Academy of Music. Turan is the author of the monograph on the work of Jamil Amirov, a prominent Azerbaijani composer. She also wrote Jazz Harmony Elements in the Works of AzerbaijaniComposers and contributed to countless articles and interviews.
Publicist and promoter
Publicist and promoter
Arlette Hovinga
Arlette Hovinga (or That Jazz Girl) is a publicist and promoter based in Rotterdam, theNetherlands. With roots in tour advancing, production, and programming, she now focuses onpromoting festivals and musicians in Europe. Over the last few months she has focused onpromoting Igor Butman’s new release Only Now (Oct. 18) which was very well received; it evenlanded him on the cover of the prestigious Jazz in Europe Magazine. When she’s not on theroad with a gang of jazz journalists, she teaches at the Dutch Rock Academy, where she helpsmusicians perfect their pitches, and spends the rest of her time committed to a project rosterincluding Polish saxophonist Sylwester Ostrowski’s Szczecin Jazz Festival, the Jazz Orchestra ofthe Concertgebouw, the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival and the brand new Sicilia Jazz Festivalin Italy.
Program Director of Jazz Across Borders
Program Director of Jazz Across Borders
Dina Nurgaleeva
In 2010 she graduated from the State University of Management with a degree inManagement in cinema and TV. In 2013, she received her PhD in Economics. She worked indifferent fields such as film-making (projects of director Ilya Khotinenko), television (RussiaToday channel) and tourism (the Ritz Carlton hotel).Dina started her business career in music as the manager of Jazz Dance Orchestra. In 2016,she founded Magnetophone Music Agency. Co-producer of the annual open air festival Cityof Jazz at Aptekarsky Garden of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University.Programm Director of Jazz Across Borders forum & festival within St. PetersburgInternational Cultural Forum. Programm Director of International Jazz Day in St. Petersburgin 2018
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.
Jazz vocalist, director of Art Of Jazz Company, director of international jazz festivals
Jazz vocalist, director of Art Of Jazz Company, director of international jazz festivals
Olga Skepner
Olga Skepner is a founder and music director of the International Festival of Improvisational Music «Jazz in the Kremlin with Olga Skepner» (Kazan, Tatarstan), the International Music Festival Hόtel de ville (Kazan, Tatarstan) and the International Festival of Contemporary Music “Brunswick Diagonals” (Germany-Russia).
In 2006, she founded the production center «Art of Jazz Company», which promotes modern improvisational and jazz music, the genres of ethno jazz and world music. In 2010, she became an organizer of the Days of French Culture in Kazan, as part of which the Jazz music festival «Le Jazz» was held in Kazan. In 2011, she was a director of the State Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan at the Tuqay Tatar State Philharmonia.
Since 2013, as a singer, she has been cooperating with jazz pianist and composer Andrei Rudenko. In the same year she founded a group, which included famous Russian jazz musicians. Director of famous Russian pianist and composer Evgeny Borets and “Evgeny Borets Trio”.
Director and founder of The International Boutique Festival CHESS & JAZZ, program director of The Bosco Fresh Fest, CEO of I’M IN booking agency
Director and founder of The International Boutique Festival CHESS & JAZZ, program director of The Bosco Fresh Fest, CEO of I’M IN booking agency
Nick Babin
Nick is a graduate of musical management faculty of Gnessin Russian Academy of Music. He has been a program director of the Bosco Fresh Fest since 2012. Nik founded the CHESS & JAZZ festival in 2018, which is held with a great success in Moscow, Singapore and Almaty. Nick has organized concerts for such artists as Gregory Porter, Gogo Penguin, Cory Henry & Funk Apostles, James Blake, John Newman, Ceelo Green, Roisin Murphy.
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.
Producer and director of the Jazz May Festval, enterpriser
Producer and director of the Jazz May Festval, enterpriser
Oleg Rubtsov
In 2010, Oleg Rubtsov decided to return to Penza and open an intellectual literature store called “Vpereplete. Other books” (2010-2015). Among the writers who spoke to the audience of the store, Dmitry Bykov, Irina Khakamada, Vera Polozkova and others. Since 2010, Oleg has been involved in organizing major urban cultural events, including the Humanitarian Forum “Searching for The Province” (2013- 2014), the Ivan Mozzhukhin Film Featival “A Male Role”.
Oleg developed a project of the Penza Book Fair, in 2013-2015, he worked as its producer and director. The fair was held with the support of the Government of the Penza Region (2013) and the Administration of the city of Penza (2014) in the framework of the Humanitarian Forum “Searching for The Province”. In 2015, it gained the status of an autonomous event. In 2012, Oleg joined the organizing committee of the International Jazz May Music Festival, established by the Department of Culture and Archives of the Penza Region. Since 2014, he has been the producer and director of the festival.
international projects and international booking coordinator at Kozlov Club and City Jazz Festival
international projects and international booking coordinator at Kozlov Club and City Jazz Festival
Elena Moiseyenko
In 2005, she joined the ArtMania agency as a press officer and coordinator of music projects. In2007, she became the Music Director. For more than ten years, she has been the program managerfor the Usadba Jazz Festival in Moscow and other cities. She also selects and books internationalartists for the agency’s projects, such as Le Jazz Festival, City Jazz and Moscow Jazz Festivals, Festivalof Korean Culture in Russia, and Bossa Nova Festival. Throughout her ArtMania years, Elenaorganized concerts and tours for such artists as the British jazz star Jammie Cullum, bass playerRichard Bona (USA), double bassist Avishai Cohen (Israel), Melody Gardot (USA), Pink Martini (USA),legendary guitarist John McLaughlin (UK), Jean Scofield (USA), Branford Marsalis (USA), Earth Windand Fire Experience feat. Al Mckay (USA), and many others. She organized the cabaret Crazy Horse(France) and the cabaret Tropicana (Cuba) for private parties.Since she joined Kozlov Club in the autumn of 2019, they have implemented a number ofinternational projects, including workshops by Richard Bona, Robert Glasper, and Avishai Cohen, aswell as various concerts.
Art director and managing director of Kozlov Club
Art director and managing director of Kozlov Club
Araik Akopyan
Araik is producer of BazzDay Ferstival, FuzzionDay Festival, Tilli Milli Jazz Festival and City Jazz Festival, co-founder the Jazzist media blog. He is Art director and managing director of Kozlov Club.
Speakers and Participants 2020
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.
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.
General director of the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic
General director of the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic
Yevgeny STODUSHNY
In June 2018, according to the results of an open competition,Yevgeny Stodushny assumed the post of General Director ofthe Krasnoyarsk Regional Philharmonia — one of the largestconcert organizations beyond the Urals. From 2007 to 2018, heworked as Deputy Director for Planning Concerts and FinancialActivities at the Virtuosi of Moscow State Chamber Orchestra.Alongside his professional activity, from 2010 to 2012, heunderwent an advanced training course at the DeVos Instituteof Arts Management (Washington, USA), where he trained in themarketing and fundraising departments of the Kennedy Centerfor the Performing Arts.Being invited to the Moscow Art Theater School Studio,Evgeny wrote and taught the course «Production Activity in theMusic and Concert Sphere». He participates as an expert in theseminars of the Union of the Concert Organizations of Russia.
Program Director of Jazz Across Borders
Program Director of Jazz Across Borders
Dina Nurgaleeva
In 2010 she graduated from the State University of Management with a degree inManagement in cinema and TV. In 2013, she received her PhD in Economics. She worked indifferent fields such as film-making (projects of director Ilya Khotinenko), television (RussiaToday channel) and tourism (the Ritz Carlton hotel).Dina started her business career in music as the manager of Jazz Dance Orchestra. In 2016,she founded Magnetophone Music Agency. Co-producer of the annual open air festival Cityof Jazz at Aptekarsky Garden of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University.Programm Director of Jazz Across Borders forum & festival within St. PetersburgInternational Cultural Forum. Programm Director of International Jazz Day in St. Petersburgin 2018
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.
Pianist, member of the LRK TRIO, member of the Moscow Union of composers
Pianist, member of the LRK TRIO, member of the Moscow Union of composers
Evgeny Lebedev
A graduate of Berklee College of Music (Boston), winner of the Montreux piano competition(Switzerland), Made in New York Jazz competition (USA), and winner of a special award fromBillboard magazine.
international projects and international booking coordinator at Kozlov Club and City Jazz Festival
international projects and international booking coordinator at Kozlov Club and City Jazz Festival
Elena Moiseyenko
In 2005, she joined the ArtMania agency as a press officer and coordinator of music projects. In2007, she became the Music Director. For more than ten years, she has been the program managerfor the Usadba Jazz Festival in Moscow and other cities. She also selects and books internationalartists for the agency’s projects, such as Le Jazz Festival, City Jazz and Moscow Jazz Festivals, Festivalof Korean Culture in Russia, and Bossa Nova Festival. Throughout her ArtMania years, Elenaorganized concerts and tours for such artists as the British jazz star Jammie Cullum, bass playerRichard Bona (USA), double bassist Avishai Cohen (Israel), Melody Gardot (USA), Pink Martini (USA),legendary guitarist John McLaughlin (UK), Jean Scofield (USA), Branford Marsalis (USA), Earth Windand Fire Experience feat. Al Mckay (USA), and many others. She organized the cabaret Crazy Horse(France) and the cabaret Tropicana (Cuba) for private parties.Since she joined Kozlov Club in the autumn of 2019, they have implemented a number ofinternational projects, including workshops by Richard Bona, Robert Glasper, and Avishai Cohen, aswell as various concerts.
Senior Advisor to the Theatre Division in the Department of State Support for Art and Folk Art of the Russian Ministry of Culture
Senior Advisor to the Theatre Division in the Department of State Support for Art and Folk Art of the Russian Ministry of Culture
Maria Lebedeva
Art director and managing director of Kozlov Club
Art director and managing director of Kozlov Club
Araik Akopyan
Araik is producer of BazzDay Ferstival, FuzzionDay Festival, Tilli Milli Jazz Festival and City Jazz Festival, co-founder the Jazzist media blog. He is Art director and managing director of Kozlov Club.
Co-owner of the PR Agency “Bedush & Marennikova”
Co-owner of the PR Agency “Bedush & Marennikova”
Elena Bedos
PhD in art history, graduated from the Moscow state Conservatory, MBA at the Russian-German Higher School of Management at The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
The Agency’s portfolio includes work with major music and non-music festivals (Alfa Future People, Usadba Jazz, Bosco Fresh Fest, Sound Up, Rock over the Volga, wild Mint, Moscow Urban Forum, Moscow Flower Show, Inspiration for VDNH and many others), leading Moscow theaters and museums, concerts of Russian and International artists.
CEO of tMotion Production Company
CEO of tMotion Production Company
Maxim Timoshin
Max is a professional saxophonist. He graduated from the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music and played in the orchestra conducted by Georgy Garanian.
In 2002, he joined Igor Butman Production Centre as the PR manager of the legendary Le Club.
From 2005 to 2008, he was the executive producer of the Stories in Details program on STS TV channel. In 2008, he founded the production company tMotion that organizes and promotes various events.
He promoted concerts of such stars as Carlos Santana, GAROU, Kenny G, Chris Botti, David Sanborn, Mario Biondi, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Candy Dulfer, Freddy Cole, Stanley Clark, Jane Monheit, Carla Bruni, Hibla Gerzmava, Yolka, and such projects as Usadba Jazz Festival 2016, French cabaret Lido, Philip Treacy’s hats exhibition, Moscow Symphony Orchestra Russian Philharmonic, etc.
Max Timoshin is the founder of Jazz in Motion — a series of jazz concerts by Russian and foreign artists. For more than 10 years, this project has been held at various Moscow venues: art-cafe Durov, Scenario Cafe, the St. Regis Moscow Hotel, etc.
Director of educational programs in the Sphere of Culture and Art of Department of Culture of Moscow
Director of educational programs in the Sphere of Culture and Art of Department of Culture of Moscow
Ekaterina Kalachikova
Musician, pianist, Director of educational programs in the Sphere of Culture and Art of Department of Culture of Moscow, Dean of the faculty of Management of socio-cultural projects in the Moscow School of Social and Economic Sciences, Master of Arts of University of Manchester.
Producer of education programs of the Presidential grands Foundation
Producer of education programs of the Presidential grands Foundation
Ekaterina Dorman
Ekaterina graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 2005 In 2007 graduated from Higher courses of Screenwriters and Directors, Director’s workshop of Vladimir Khotinenko. From 2015 to 2017 she was a head of charity projects of the crowdfunding platform Planeta.ru and Director of e-commerce. Expert of the “Community” forum of the Public chamber of the Russian Federation. In 2017-2019 Founder and Director of the online store of goods for social entrepreneurs “Four”.
Executive Director of the Digital education platforms division of Sberbank
Executive Director of the Digital education platforms division of Sberbank
Yuriy Izosimov
Deputy Director of the Department of state support for art and folk art of the Ministry of culture of Russia
Deputy Director of the Department of state support for art and folk art of the Ministry of culture of Russia
Edita Isaakyan
Program Director of Vladimir Potanin Foundation
Program Director of Vladimir Potanin Foundation
Oksana Fodina
Oksana joined the Foundation’s team in December 2018 She manages the programs and projects in the field of culture. She worked in a range of non-profit organizations, such as charity foundation Volnoe Delo, New Eurasia Foundation, Institute for Law and Public Policy, Eurasia Foundation (USA), Center for Constitutional Studies at Moscow Public Science Foundation, and Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Oksana implements social and charitable projects in various fields of higher and secondary education, promotes entrepreneurship and local communities, and organizes various corporate events. She was responsible for the full project cycle: concept development, budgeting, expertise, preparation of information and reporting materials for internal and external use, organization of project events, communication with stakeholders, etc.
Oksana has a degree in philology from Moscow Pedagogical State University, MBA in marketing from Moscow international higher business school MIRBIS, and a degree in Social Management from Higher School of Economics.
Director of EverJazz Club
Director of EverJazz Club
Irina Shchetnikova
She is the organizer of the following projects: EverJazz Club, EverJazz Centre, EverJazz.KIDS, EverJazz Contest, EverJazz International Festival; Ural Terra Jazz International Festival, Festival of Contemporary Jewish Culture, International Jazz Day in Yekaterinburg, Festival of Ballroom Pianists, etc.
She actively cooperates with all relevant entities, organizations, promoters and musicians.
She popularizes and promotes jazz on the ground, as well as leads various training and awareness-raising campaigns in the field. She also promotes and supports jazz among children, provides a setting for young musicians to realize their creative potential, and encourages their professional growth.
EverJazz Club founded in 2009, is a venue for daily concerts by professional music bands. It holds around 520 concerts annually, and is visited by some 30,000 people every year.
Irina is a jazz promoter and producer.
artistic director of Duc de Lombards, producer of Nice Jazz Festival, head of TSF Jazz
artistic director of Duc de Lombards, producer of Nice Jazz Festival, head of TSF Jazz
SÉBASTIEN VIDAL
Sébastien Vidal is is a central figure in French jazz.
He is the artistic director of the essential Parisian jazz club Le Duc des Lombards, where artists from France and around the world come to perform.
Abroad, he actively contributes to promoting and disseminating work from the French jazz scene, particularly in New York, where he organizes the annual French Quarter jazz festival.
Finally, he contributes more broadly to spreading jazz in his role as director of TSFJAZZ, a jazz radio station boasting more than 430,000 listeners daily. He also programs several mainstream jazz festivals. He has written for the magazine Jazzmag and for L’Humanité Dimanche. Today he writes for Jazz News. He is a member of the Académie du jazz.
Music bookings coordinator of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London
Music bookings coordinator of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London
PAUL PACE
Ronnie Scott’s has remained a central constant in Paul’s lifelong love affair with jazz. He first visited the club to see the seemingly effortlessly swinging US tenor sax legend Zoot Sims in 1972 Since then, Paul has experienced a countless number of astonishing performances there from the likes of Stephane Grappelli, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Evans, Roland Kirk, Freddie Hubbard, Machito, Woody Shaw, Nina Simone, Stan Getz, Art Blakey, Buddy Rich, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, Anita O’Day and of course on many occasions the guv’nor himself Ronnie Scott – his jokes as well as his storming quintet. Over the past 10 years, Paul has made focused efforts to present European jazz in London, particularly collaborations with Norwegian, Czech, Latvian and Dutch-based musicians and is keen to further links with the vibrant global scene as well as the currently burgeoning UK scene. Paul has sat on the judging panel of the international Riga Jazz Stage contest for 5 consecutive years and visits overseas festivals regularly.
Before joining the Ronnie’s music bookings team in 2009, Paul worked in architecture and illustration but the pull of the music was so powerful that as a jazz fan and semi-pro singer he became more involved with live jazz promotion, particularly his longstanding residency at the Spice of Life, Soho (20 years). He also possesses extensive experience in specialist record retail (9 years at Ray’s Jazz), is an avid collector and unwavering champion of the music. In 2008 he received the All-Party Parliamentary Award for Services to Jazz.
General Manager of Europe Jazz Network
General Manager of Europe Jazz Network
Giambattista Tofoni
Giambattista Tofoni started his career as a musician and switched to the production field in 1985. He organised more than 2000 concerts at the most important Italian festivals (Ravenna, Verona, Mantova, Crossroads, TAM, La Biennale in Venice, etc.). In 2010, he became a Board member of I-Jazz, the Italian Jazz Federation. He is one of the founding members of EJN in 1987 and has been its General Manager since 2010. He is currently responsible for EJN’s vision, strategy and work program; overseeing the work of the staff/ focal points/working groups; representing EJN and its interests; leading on relationships with other European cultural networks and other relevant bodies.
Managing Director Nasjonal Jazzscene – Victoria
Managing Director Nasjonal Jazzscene – Victoria
Jan Ole Otnæs
WBGO journalist
WBGO journalist
Sheila Elaine Anderson
Always interested in jazz, in 1995 Ms. Anderson joined the staff of WBGO, Newark, New Jersey where she hosts Weekend Jazz After Hours and Salon Sessions and Sunday Night Music Mix. She has authored four books: The Quotable Musician: From Bach to Tupac (2003), The Little Red Book of Musicians’ Wisdom (Skyhorse Press, 2012). How to Grow as A Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed (2005), the second edition is set to publish in November, 2019 As festival producer her work includes curator of the Newark Museum’s Jazz in the Garden Series and a Columbia University Community Scholar, class of 2017.
CEO of Martinico Music & People, Director of the JazzCádiz Festival
CEO of Martinico Music & People, Director of the JazzCádiz Festival
Marina Fernández
Marina Fernández is the founder and CEO of Martinico Music & People, and the director of the JazzCádiz Festival since 2008 From 2014 to 2019, she was a music promoter at CAMM Jazz School.
She is also the president of the Andalusian jazz association Andajazz since 2015, director of the Andalusian jazz booking agency Martinico Music & People, director of the international Jazz showcase festival and conference Jazzahara, endorsed by the Government and AC / E Agency . She is a member of the National Jazz Festival Association Platforma Jazz España .
Jazz singer, 5-time Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves is a five-time Grammy Award winner and one of the leading singers in the world. Dianne began her career as a studio...
Jazz singer, 5-time Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves is a five-time Grammy Award winner and one of the leading singers in the world. Dianne began her career as a studio...
Dianne Reeves
Jazz singer, 5-time Grammy Award winner
Dianne Reeves is a five-time Grammy Award winner and one of the leading singers in the world. Dianne began her career as a studio vocalist, working with Lenny White, Stanley Turrentine and Billy Childs, and later on she toured with Sérgio Mendes and Harry Belafonte. Reeve’s albums, released in the 90s on the Blue Note label, cemented her position as a unique vocalist. She was invited to perform at the closing of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Her album “Beautiful Life”, recorded with many stars, was awarded a Grammy Award in 2015 as the best jazz album. In April 2018, Reeves was honoured with a Jazz Master Award, the highest award for jazz artists in the USA, by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Trumpeter and composer, 9-time Grammy Award winner, artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center Wynton Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed musician, composer and bandleader, an educator and a leading advocate...
Trumpeter and composer, 9-time Grammy Award winner, artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center Wynton Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed musician, composer and bandleader, an educator and a leading advocate...
Wynton Marsalis
Trumpeter and composer, 9-time Grammy Award winner, artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center
Wynton Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed musician, composer and bandleader, an educator and a leading advocate of American culture from New Orleans. He has revitalized the popularity of jazz. Thanks to Wynton Marsalis, 1996 saw the release of the first ever jazz TV program. He has created and performed an expansive range of music from quartets to big bands, chamber music ensembles to symphony orchestras and tap dance to ballet, expanding the vocabulary for jazz and classical music with a vital body of work that places him among the world’s finest musicians and composers. Wynton Marsalis has won nine Grammy Awards. In 1983, at the age of 22, he became the only artist ever to win Grammy Awards for both jazz and classical records. He repeated this distinction by winning jazz and classical Grammys again in 1984. In 1997, Wynton Marsalis became the first jazz musician ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his epic oratorio Blood On The Fields. After his first album was released in 1982, he won the DownBeat magazine surveys in the categories Musician of the Year, Trumpeter of the Year and Album of the Year. In 2017, Wynton Marsalis became one of the youngest inductees in
Co-founder and CEO of the production company Team + 1 and the design studio High Five
Co-founder and CEO of the production company Team + 1 and the design studio High Five
Maxim Sheluntsov
Maxim graduated from Moscow University for the Humanities with a degree in Public Relations. In 2012, he founded the production company Team + 1 The company has been involved in the concerts of Madonna and Sting, opening of the Gogol Center, concert of Glenn Miller in the Moscow Performing Arts Center, immersive show the Returned, and the festivals Context. Diana Vishneva and Usadba Jazz.
Maxim teaches media planning and PR as part of Music Business and Entertainment Industry Management at RMA Business School.
Commercial director of Radario
Commercial director of Radario
Darya Bednaya
In 2014, she graduated from Saint Petersburg University with a degree in Political Sciences. She had started her professional career in culture and event planning in 2010 as the creative manager of the PMI Corporation’s project yatalant.ru. In 2012-2013 she was the art director of Geometria TV. In 2013, she joined Radario, an international developer of software for business automation in the cultural and entertainment industries, as the marketing and PR director. In 2014, she was one of the founders of the federal project Theater.Go that was designed to popularize electronic tickets and to attract the young Internet audience to theatres. Since 2017, Darya has been the commercial director of Radario.
Trumpeter, host of TV channel Russia-Culture, producer, Merited Artist of Tatarstan
Trumpeter, host of TV channel Russia-Culture, producer, Merited Artist of Tatarstan
Vadim Eilenkrig
Vadim is a winner of the Musician of the Year Award, according to Radio Jazz 89.1. He has recorded 5 solo albums — The Shadow of Your Smile (2010) Eilenkrig (2012), 1000/1 (2016, limited edition), Point of View (2017), and Newborn (2020). The album Eilenkrig peaked at №4 in Russian iTunes (Top 200 Jazz Chart) and at №1 in Armenia (Top 200 Tracks Armenia All Genre Chart).
Since 2016, he has been the art director of the Wind of Change Festival (Kazan, Russia). In January 2020, this project was staged in Carnegie Hall in New York.
Since 2019, Vadim has been the art director of the Jazz Summer with Eilenkrig festival in Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.
He was the host of the program Big Jazz on channel Russia-Culture (2013), and the co-host and bandleader of the show Dancing with the Stars on channel Russia-1 (2016). Since 2018, he has been the host of the original music program Shabolovka Club, 37 on channel Russia-Culture.
He is a member of the jury in the annual International Television Contest for Young Musicians The Nutcracker.
Journalist, music reporter of the Kommersant newspaper, radio host, producer, teacher
Journalist, music reporter of the Kommersant newspaper, radio host, producer, teacher
Boris Barabanov
Since 2003, he has been a music reporter for the Kommersant publishing house. He interviewed Paul McCartney, Sting, Patti Smith, U2, Ozzy Osbourne, Nick Cave, R.E.M., Iron Maiden, Metallica, Placebo, Depeche Mode.
In 2012-2013, he was the music producer in Urgant Late Night Show on Channel 1
He is a teacher at the innovative educational institution RMA Business School, where he specializes in Music Management, and at the School of Music Management in Saint Petersburg. In May 2011, as part of his RMA work, he implemented a student educational program in London with the UK music industry leaders.
Art-director of JAM Club, founder of concert agency Pro Jazz
Art-director of JAM Club, founder of concert agency Pro Jazz
Anton Raktovich
Since 2016, he has organized more than 3,000 concerts in Andrey Makarevich’s JAM Club. He is one of the founders and the main organizer of the international jazz festival VR JAZZ Fest.
Anton organized jazz concerts of Andrey Makarevich, concerts of the American cellist Ian Maksin, and “no celebrity” sellout concerts in grand halls.
He is the teacher of a joint course by Timepad and Netology “How to Make Money out of Your Event”, the author of the webinars “Promoting Concerts”, a member of the jury of the New Open Showcase festival in Ekaterinburg, member of the jury of the jazz competition-festival Jazz Birds-2020.
Rector of the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music, winner of the Russian Federation Government Award, Doctor in Art History, Full Professor
Rector of the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music, winner of the Russian Federation Government Award, Doctor in Art History, Full Professor
Alexander Ryzhinsky
Since 2016, Alexnader Ryzhinsky has been acting as Deputy Chairman of the Federal Higher Education Methodological Association in Music, as Deputy Chairman of the Coordination Council of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in the field of Art and Culture, and a member of the expert working group in the National Council for Professional Qualifications that represents higher education institutions of culture and art. Since 2013, he has been an expert of the Federal Education and Science Supervision Agency, and has been periodically acting as the head of expert groups involved in state educational accreditation.
The Altro Coro Gnesins’ Ensemble of Contemporary Choral Music, established by Ryzhinsky in 2010, is now a renowned performer of avant-garde and post-avant-garde music in Russia and abroad. The Interkultur Foundation (Germany) has placed the Ensemble on the list of ten top-ranked choirs in the world.
Ryzhinsky is also known as the author of more than 50 research papers and books on studying and performing choral music of the 20th and 21st centuries, including his book “Choral Music of Arnold Schoenberg”.
Founder and leading expert of music project development agency InSimple, lecturer at RMA business school
Founder and leading expert of music project development agency InSimple, lecturer at RMA business school
ALEXEI NIKOLAEV
He was a music editor on channels Muz TV and NTV+, art director of the clubs Kult and Propaganda, and the director of the copyright department of the Zvooq music service.
He provided recruitment, staff training and consultations for such artists and companies as Nina Kraviz, Teslaboy, BlackStar Inc., Yulia Samoilova, Triangle Sun, Therr Maitz, Vlad Topalov, Google, Zvooq, Coub, Zion Records, Mubert, Galernaya20, iMixes, and many others.
He has organized more than 300 foreign artists’ tours in Russia and Russian DJs’ performances in the UK.
Pianist, producer, winner of three Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award
Pianist, producer, winner of three Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award
Robert Glasper
Robert Glasper is the idol of the youth and the originator of the trendiest and most vibrant projects in modern jazz, R&B and hip-hop.
At the beginning of the new millennium, Robert Glasper released a number of successful solo albums on the major jazz label Bluenote Records. However, he achived real worldwide fame and won two Grammy Awards with the release of Black Radio (2012) and Black Radio 2 (2014) featuring such superstars as Erykah Badu and Snoop Dogg. Collaborating with hip-hop artists holds a special place in the musician’s work – he played on the most remarkable rap album of the new century, To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar, collaborated as a sound producer with Mos Def and Bilal, and performed with Kanye West and Jay-Z. “Robert Glasper heads down the fraught path of hip-hop jazz and gets it right,” the Rolling Stone review of Black Radio says.
He is also known as a film score composer. Miles Ahead, the 2015 Miles Davis biopic, won Robert Glasper a Grammy. In 2017, he also received an Emmy Award for the track Letter to the Free, co-written with Common, from the soundtrack to 13th (Netflix).
In 2015, Glasper recorded the acoustic album Covered (Bluenote records) with his trio consisting of Vicente Archer (upright bass) and Damion Reid (drums). The album was their first acoustic release in eight years. “I missed the piano,” Glasper said simply, explaining his decision, because for the past five years he had focused almost exclusively on keyboards and electronic sound in his Robert Glasper Experiment project. However, jazz standards are far from being the only tracks on Covered, the tracklist including ingenious instrumental versions of songs by Radiohead, Joni Mitchell, John Legend and Kendrick Lamar, as well as several Glasper’s originals
Head of a concert Agency, founder of the Jazzfuel blog
Head of a concert Agency, founder of the Jazzfuel blog
Matt Fripp
After graduating with a jazz degree from the Guildhall School of Music, Matt Fripp started working as a booking agent and manager, first during 6 years at a London-based agency and then through his own company. During this time he has booked more than 1,000 international gigs for a range of artists.
Alongside his booking & management work, Matt runs the website Jazzfuel.com which shares career advice to jazz musicians around the world, via free articles, guides and industry interviews and also via professional services including press campaigns, consulting and online courses.
Journalist, Editor of Jazz Forum magazine
Journalist, Editor of Jazz Forum magazine
Marek Romański
Marek studied at the University of Warsaw. Journalist, music critic, since 2000 editor of “Jazz Forum” magazine, author of radio programs. Promoter, host of cultural events, music lover without genre boundaries, record collector.
Journalist, critic, educator, Contributing Writer, DownBeat, JazzTimes
Journalist, critic, educator, Contributing Writer, DownBeat, JazzTimes
Allen Morrison
Allen Morrison is a music journalist, jazz critic, educator, and musician who has interviewed and profiled many of today’s leading figures in jazz and pop. The list includes Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, Bobby McFerrin, Chick Corea, Donald Fagen, Paul Simon, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Gregory Porter, and many others. As a regular contributor to the jazz magazines DownBeat and Jazz Times, he has covered music festivals around the world, including the Newport Jazz Festival, the Toronto Jazz Festival, and the MIMO Festival in Brazil. He has also written about music for The Guardian, Jazziz, Departures, and American Songwriter. Allen’s lectures on jazz history have been featured aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, as part of the Cunard Insights lecture series, as well as at public libraries and other venues.
Allen combines his musical knowledge with a broad background in writing, public relations and executive communications in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. During his career Allen has been a magazine editor, a music critic, a music publicist for major recording artists, a government spokesman, and a communications director for politicians and major government agencies.
As a music publicist, he has created promotional materials and handled tour press for such major recording artists as The Chieftains, Ry Cooder, Dr. John, Trombone Shorty, Mavis Staples and many others. He has placed articles in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Newsday, and other major publications. An accomplished jazz pianist, he has a passion for, and encyclopedic knowledge of, American popular music in all genres — pop, rock, jazz, country, blues, and other roots music.
Founder of the SAMRO Foundation, IKS Cultural Consulting and the Concerts SA project
Founder of the SAMRO Foundation, IKS Cultural Consulting and the Concerts SA project
Andre le Roux
A highly regarded African cultural activist, arts manager/administrator, Andre le Roux was the Managing Director of the Southern African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO). He is the founder of the SAMRO Foundation, IKS Cultural Consulting and the Concerts SA project. He has served on a number of boards on South African arts and culture, as well as across the African diaspora landscape.
Executive Director of the Ural Music Night festival
Executive Director of the Ural Music Night festival
Natalia Shmelkova
Natalia is Project Manager of New/Open Showcase Festival and Ural Music Camp, coordinator of the Music Industry Committee and Executive Director of the Ural Music Night festival
Co-founder of the communication firm Doing Great Agency
Co-founder of the communication firm Doing Great Agency
Tanya Panteleyeva
The agency works with festivals STEREOLETO, ALFA FUTURE PEOPLE, Beat Film Festival; concerts of Jennifer Lopez, Boris Grebenshikov, СПЛИН, Монеточка, СБПЧ, IOWA, АИГЕЛ, etc; band releases by TOMM¥ €A$H, АИГЕЛ, НААДЯ, Гречка, КИНО; brands, such as Delivery Club, МЕГА, Yandex.Taxi and many others.
Director of the Jazz Society of Turkey
Director of the Jazz Society of Turkey
Tuğçe Alpaslan
Tuğçe Alpaslan has been the Director of the Jazz Society of Turkey since 2014 She seeks to support and promote various international jazz events including the International Ankara Jazz Festival, the Bodrum Jazz Festival, and the Jazz @ Museum. She is a member of Europe Jazz Network and operates cross-border cultural projects under the sponsorship of the European Union.
Tuğçe Alpaslan primarily focuses on managing the budgets, confirming line-ups, programming and popularizing the festivals. She is also a committed advocate of human rights: she promotes gender equality, women’s empowerment, social inclusion, environmental awareness, and explores the festivals’ themes accordingly.
Tuğçe ensures effective cooperation between partners, local authorities, universities, national associations and businesses in Turkey and beyond. She has worked with numerous organizations and institutions, such as the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Turkey, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the European Union, the United Nations, etc.
Finally, she has established herself as an expert in staff management by embracing positive team working to boost motivation and improve one’s skills and performances.
Dean of Strategic Initiatives for Berklee College of Music , and Executive Director o f
BerkleeNYC
Dean of Strategic Initiatives for Berklee College of Music , and Executive Director o f
BerkleeNYC
Stephen Webber
Stephen Webberis an Emmy-winning composer, musician, author, speaker, producer/engineer, and a leading innovator in music and the performing arts. Stephen currently serves as Dean of Strategic Initiatives for Berklee College of Music , and Executive Director of BerkleeNYC, where he oversees the iconic Power Station recording studios, hosting sessions for Wynton and Brandford Marsalis, Esperanza Spalding, Jon Batiste, Jacob Collier, and hundreds of other artists. Recently, Stephen has been serving as A&Rconsultant for the Universal Music Group . He’s produced and engineered albums for a wide-range of artists, including a collaboration with DJ Premier and Nas for the Re:Generations Music Project, a film Stephen appeared in alongside Erica Badu, Skrillex, Mos Def, Pretty Lights, and the Doors.
Almost fifty thousand students are enrolled in Stephen’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) The Art of Music Production . In 2014, Webber founded the Music Production, Technology and Innovation Master’s program at Berklee’s Valencia Campus , where he also served as CTO. Music Production Analysis , Webber’s course for Berklee Music Online , won 2010’s international “Best Online Course Award” from the University Continuing Education Association.
Webber is the composer and turntable soloist of the Stylus Symphony , a groundbreaking work that combines a full orchestra with hip-hop, trip-hop and dubstep. Webber authored Turntable Technique: The Art of the DJ, the first book to teach the turntable as a musical instrument, and he founded Berklee’s DJ and turntablism classes, which are considered to be the first to be offered by a college of music.
As a musician, Webber has toured China, Australia, Europe, Central America and the US, and has appeared on CNN, NBC, NPR and CBS, and in the New York Times and Rolling Stone Magazine.
His innovative teaching has helped propel his students to the top of the international music charts-garnering multi-platinum records and Grammy awards in pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, country, bluegrass, folk, K-Pop, classical and Latin categories.
A multi-instrumentalist who often contributes guitars, keyboards, banjo, mandolin and turntables to his productions, Stephen has recorded with Mark O’Connor, Kathy Mattea and Meshell Ndegeocello, and performed with Bela Fleck, Grandmixer DXT, and Emmylou Harris.
Webber has designed several recording studios, conducted film scores at Lucasfilm’s Skywalker Ranch, and authored dozens of articles and cover stories for Mix Magazine, Re-Mix and Electronic Musician.
Singer, Composer, Trombonist, founder of Why DIY Music and Nova Productions
Singer, Composer, Trombonist, founder of Why DIY Music and Nova Productions
Nani Noam Vazana
Nani Noam Vazana is the world’s first original Ladino artist. For 2020 she is booked to play on major stages: Richmond Folk Festival (USA), Montana Folk Festival (USA), representing Israel at the HUE Festival (Vietnam), Manchester Jazz Festival (UK) & 84 more dates Nani represented the Netherlands at the European Music Festival (Vietnam), performed at the Kennedy Center (USA), Jodhpur RIFF Festival (India), Jazzahead (Germany), North Sea Jazz (the Netherlands), Roccella Jazz (Italy), TEDx (the Netherlands) & hosted 3 WOMEX panels. The Dutch public broadcasting network (NPO) released a mini documentary about her musical work in 2018 Nani also composed music for BBC4 and NPO documentaries. Nani chairs the Amsterdam Artist Collective and is the founder of Why DIY Music and Nova Productions.
Awards:
PAIS Album Award, IL 2020
SENA Album Award, NL 2019
Arts Council England Premiere Award, UK 2019
Sephardic Music Award, ES 2017
iTunes Top-20 bestseller, NL 2015
ACUM Album Award, IL 2014
Director of Amersfoort Jazz Festival, Musician
Director of Amersfoort Jazz Festival, Musician
Alexander Beets
The press wrote he is one of the rare tenor heroes of this time. His nickname ‘The Hurricane’ comes from his explosive and expressive playing. As a jazz-saxophone player, he has given over 2000 concerts around the world and played on more than 30 CD’s and DVD’s. He often performs as a special guest, as well as with his own combo. He is a member of the Round Midnight Orchestra and Saskia Laroo International Band.
Alexander ‘The Hurricane’ Beets presents the ‘Tribute to Stanley Turrentine’ with his quartet and the lady trumpet player Ellister van der Molen. Another project is called ‘Sandborn Sound’ where Alexander performs with his quartet and the alto saxophonist Rolf Delfos, bringing a musical tribute to the still living legend David Sanborn.
He has been the director of the Amersfoort Jazz Festival for 21 years. Amersfoort Jazz is an annual open air jazz festival in the Dutch city of Amersfoort. The festival has eight stages all over the old part of the city of Amersfoort, mainly on the historic squares. It is a large free three-day event, and it attracts over 100,000 visitors every year.
Executive Director of Music Finland
Executive Director of Music Finland
Kaisa Rönkkö
Kaisa has been the Executive Director of Music Finland since June 2018. She has a passion to popularize the power of music and develop the international dialogue between premium content, innovative technologies and digital services.
Prior to Music Finland, Kaisa was the head of the Orchestra department at the Finnish National Opera Ballet. She was also the head of the music library and therefore responsible for copyright matters. Kaisa has been Finland’s project manager in large-scale digital opera projects co-funded by Creative Europe Programme.
Kaisa has also been a senior intendant at the Public Information Division of the Defense Command of Finland, an artist manager and partner at Finland’s largest artist management agency, Fazer Artist Management Inc, and an assistant at the Finnish Cultural Institute in Copenhagen.
Kaisa is a Master of Music and Master of Arts Management. She studied at the Sibelius Academy, at the Liszt Academy in Budapest, at the University of Turku and at the Helsinki University of Applied Sciences. She also holds a piano diploma and is a qualified piano teacher.
Kaisa is a board member of NOMEX (Nordic Music Export), Boardman Management Study Group and Finland Promotion Board, coordinated by the Foreign Ministry of Finland.
Speakers and Participants 2019
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.
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.
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.
Program Director of Jazz Across Borders
Program Director of Jazz Across Borders
Dina Nurgaleeva
In 2010 she graduated from the State University of Management with a degree inManagement in cinema and TV. In 2013, she received her PhD in Economics. She worked indifferent fields such as film-making (projects of director Ilya Khotinenko), television (RussiaToday channel) and tourism (the Ritz Carlton hotel).Dina started her business career in music as the manager of Jazz Dance Orchestra. In 2016,she founded Magnetophone Music Agency. Co-producer of the annual open air festival Cityof Jazz at Aptekarsky Garden of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University.Programm Director of Jazz Across Borders forum & festival within St. PetersburgInternational Cultural Forum. Programm Director of International Jazz Day in St. Petersburgin 2018
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).
Artistic Director of the Koktebel Jazz Party International Festival
Artistic Director of the Koktebel Jazz Party International Festival
Mikhail Ikonnikov
Mikhail Ikonnikov has been working on radio since 1989. He is one of the founders of Radio 101, radio host, author and presenter of the program “Jazz. Private collection”. In 1998, he won the Popov Prize in the nomination “Specialized Program” for the program “Jazz. Private collection”.
He worked on Radio ROKS, Radio Prestige, Radio NSN, Radio 1 and Radio Mayak. Since 2014, she has been working as an author and host of a music section on Radio Sputnik in Crimea and Music Director of Radio RT in Sochi. Since August 2018, he has held the position of the program director of Radio Jazz.
Since 2014 – Art Director of the Koktebel Jazz Paty International Festival in Crimea.
Project manager of I-Jazz
Project manager of I-Jazz
Enrico Bettinello
Enrico Bettinello is a music and performing arts curator, writer and cultural manager based in Venezia (Italy). He is a member of the Board of Directors of Europe Jazz Network and project manager for I-Jazz, the association of Jazz Festivals in Italy.
As a curator, he collaborates with NovaraJazz (managing residencies and multi-disciplinary projects), Pro-Helvetia (as creator and artistic director of New Echoes series of concerts) , Palazzo Grassi/Punta della Dogana Museum, Venice Biennale and many more.
Enrico Bettinello is currently directing the European Institute of Design in Venice.
Founder of Jazz Fest Sarajevo, co-curator of Ljubljana Jazz Festival
Founder of Jazz Fest Sarajevo, co-curator of Ljubljana Jazz Festival
Edin Zubcevic
Business Magazine named him Art Manager of the year in 2000. He is the founder of Jazz Fest Sarajevo, international music festival. As founder and producer of label and agency Gramofon, he organized hundreds music and other events from chamber music concerts to big arena pop-rock shows and corporate events. Since 2001 he published and produced over 40 CDs, DVDs, and books, most of them released for Gramofon (founded 2003). In 2009 he started regional music event Xenophonia, and in 2012 regional educational program Music Meeting.
From 2001 until 2006 he was a jury member of the European Jazz Prize. From 2003 until 2008 he was a member of Board of directors of Open Society Fund Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was a guest lecturer at the Academy of Music in Sarajevo from 2014. Since 1987 he has been writing comments, reviews and essays about music in daily newspaper and magazines, as well as hosted hundreds of shows on various national and independent radio stations. He is also working as a freelance PR consultant (since 2000), artist manager (since 2000) and freelance writer for international magazines (since 2012). Since 2018 co-curator of Ljubljana Jazz Festival and editor-in-chief of NOMAD web portal.
Coordinator/administrator of Europe Jazz Network
Coordinator/administrator of Europe Jazz Network
Francesca Cerretani
Francesca Cerretani is in charge of managing the EJN virtual office; working with EJN project leaders on the activities’ administration, coordination and production; Board administration; assisting the Network Manager in the preparation of grant applications. From 2001 to 2013 Francesca was organising theatre and music events in Italy and worldwide.
Programm Director of Casa da Música
Programm Director of Casa da Música
Fernando de Sousa
Fernando de Sousa began his activity in 1997 as an independent promoter. Since this year, he was involved on the organization and production of various cultural events and music festivals in Portugal, African Portuguese spoken countries and Brazil. Fernando has been invited to give conferences and participate at various panels around the world on music subjects mainly focused on lusophonie and brazilian music in Europe.
From 2004, is in charge of the programming of pop-rock, jazz and world music at Casa da Música Foundation where he currently continues to exercise these competences. The concept behind Casa da Música is promoting high quality performances of several genres of music, including classical and contemporary music since there are four resident groups under its direction (a symphonic orchestra, a baroque orchestra and an ensemble for contemporary music apart of two choirs).
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.
Reykjavik Jazz Festival
Reykjavik Jazz Festival
Sunna Gunnlaugs
Sunna Gunnlaugs is a pianist and co-director of the Reykjavik Jazz Festival in Iceland since 2015. She is also on the board of EJN since 2018. Sunna organizes two concert series – “Freyjujazz" at the National Gallery of Iceland which is focused on creating opportunities for women in jazz, and "Jazz in Salurinn” at Salurinn in Kopavogur, where she invites international artists to perform acoustic solo concerts.
Communication Manager of Europe Jazz Network
Communication Manager of Europe Jazz Network
Stefano Zucchiatti
Stefano Zucchiatti is the Communication Manager of Europe Jazz Network. He has a substantial experience in communication at the international level for non-profit organisations and networks. His main areas of expertise are brand management, digital communications and social media, events management and press relations. He studied Communication Sciences at the Padova University and has a Master in Communication for International Relations at IULM University in Milan.
Jazz saxophonist, founder of Szczecin Jazz Festival.
Jazz saxophonist, founder of Szczecin Jazz Festival.
Sylwester Ostrowski
A graduate of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland, Sylwester Ostrowski became the leading force in the founding of the Szczecin Academy of Art. As a music producer, he became the cultural advisor of to the mayor and City Hall in Szczecin. His break came when he was producing music for Piotr Wojtasik, who offered him a recording session with top American musicians including Newman T. Baker, Wayne Dockery, and Reggie Moore.
Sylwester Ostrowski is a rare case in the Polish artistic world. He successfully combines the role of music — jazz saxophonist with culture animation, including the creation of the Szczecin Jazz Festival. He has recorded with American jazz vocalist Deborah Brown and toured alongside genres like Bobby Watson, Wynton Marsalis and Keyon Harrold.
Sylwester builds cultural connections globally with jazz.
To date, he has three albums; the latest being In Our Own Way, where he takes on cultural exchange, bringing a fusion of American and Polish jazz, the classical music of Frederic Chopin, and traditional music of Poland and Japan. Sylwester was recently awarded the title of Honorary Ambassador of Szczecin City.
Head of event-agency Mood Engineer, executive producer.
Head of event-agency Mood Engineer, executive producer.
Sergey Lopatin
Sergey Lopatin has been working in the event industry since 2000.
He founded the agency “Mood Engineer”, there are some privilege clients such as: Sberbank, PIRELLI, Volvo, Hyundai and others. Agency has successfully held events in Russia, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Scotland and Monaco, established the partnership with European event agencies. The Mood Engineer Agency also organizes events for the Ministry of Culture and the Government of St. Petersburg.
Trumpeter, pianist, musical director of XJAZZ Festival
Trumpeter, pianist, musical director of XJAZZ Festival
Sebastian Studnitzky
The trumpeter and pianist STUDNITZKY has always been a traveller between the realms of jazz, classical and electronic music. He travelled the world as member of Mezzoforte, Nils Landgren Funk Unit, Jazzanova, Dominic Miller, Wolfgang Haffner and many others.
Since 2015 he has been concentrating on his own projects – the jazz/electronic band KY, his orchestra project MEMENTO and solo shows as well.
In 2012 he founded Contemplate music, his own record label. In 2014 he initiated the XJAZZ Festival Berlin and took charge as its musical director. It immediately became Berlin’s largest jazz festival (90 concerts in 4 days in 11 venues, reaching 21.000 people) and launched international editions as well (Reykjavik, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Minsk). In 2019 XJAZZ also launched an own label and a streaming app.
Since 2014 Sebastian Studnitzky has been a professor for Jazz trumpet at the Dresden University of Music and since 2017 at Jazz Institute Berlin as well
CEO of Jazz Do It Music agency and JDI Multimedia, co-producer of the ZAVTRA festival, the project Classics in the Dark
CEO of Jazz Do It Music agency and JDI Multimedia, co-producer of the ZAVTRA festival, the project Classics in the Dark
Robert Bagdasarov
Robert has been a head of marketing and producer at the Russian office of One-Go-Events (the Netherlands), actively engaged in the family entertainment area (Disney Live!, Genius DaVinci, Sharks, Human Body).
In 2009, he started a production company Jazz Do It Music Agency. The agency organizes concerts, festivals, among its brightest projects are: ZAVTRA festival (Moscow and St. Petersburg), Skypark Live! Festival (Sochi), ZAZ tours, concerts of Duke Ellington Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, Marcus Miller, George Benson, Brand New Heavies, Al Jarreau, Yiruma, Stanley Clarke, Richard Bona, Richard Galliano, Incognito, Jazzanova feat. Paul Randolph, Yamato, Chucho Valdes and others. Since 2017 Robert has been devekoping Jazz Do It Multimedia studio – studio specializing in realtime graphics, video content creation and interactive installations.
Jazz vocalist, director of Art Of Jazz Company, director of international jazz festivals
Jazz vocalist, director of Art Of Jazz Company, director of international jazz festivals
Olga Skepner
Olga Skepner is a founder and music director of the International Festival of Improvisational Music «Jazz in the Kremlin with Olga Skepner» (Kazan, Tatarstan), the International Music Festival Hόtel de ville (Kazan, Tatarstan) and the International Festival of Contemporary Music “Brunswick Diagonals” (Germany-Russia).
In 2006, she founded the production center «Art of Jazz Company», which promotes modern improvisational and jazz music, the genres of ethno jazz and world music. In 2010, she became an organizer of the Days of French Culture in Kazan, as part of which the Jazz music festival «Le Jazz» was held in Kazan. In 2011, she was a director of the State Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan at the Tuqay Tatar State Philharmonia.
Since 2013, as a singer, she has been cooperating with jazz pianist and composer Andrei Rudenko. In the same year she founded a group, which included famous Russian jazz musicians. Director of famous Russian pianist and composer Evgeny Borets and “Evgeny Borets Trio”.
Director and founder of The International Boutique Festival CHESS & JAZZ, program director of The Bosco Fresh Fest, CEO of I’M IN booking agency
Director and founder of The International Boutique Festival CHESS & JAZZ, program director of The Bosco Fresh Fest, CEO of I’M IN booking agency
Nick Babin
Nick is a graduate of musical management faculty of Gnessin Russian Academy of Music. He has been a program director of the Bosco Fresh Fest since 2012. Nik founded the CHESS & JAZZ festival in 2018, which is held with a great success in Moscow, Singapore and Almaty. Nick has organized concerts for such artists as Gregory Porter, Gogo Penguin, Cory Henry & Funk Apostles, James Blake, John Newman, Ceelo Green, Roisin Murphy.
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.
Pianist, Research Committee Chair at Jazz Education Network
Pianist, Research Committee Chair at Jazz Education Network
Monika Herzig
Monika Herzig is a faculty member in Arts Administration of Indiana University, head of the research committee for the Jazz Education Network and editor of JAZZ (Jazz Education in Research and Practice, IU Press). Her book David Baker – A Legacy in Music was released on November 2011 on IU Press, and Experiencing Chick Corea: A Listener’s Companion on
Rowman and Littlefield, 2017. She has released more than a dozen CDs under her leadership on her own ACME Records as well as Owl Studios and Whaling City Sounds. Her awards include a 1994 Down Beat Magazine Award for Best Original Song, a Jazz Journalist Association Hero 2015 award, as well as grants from the NEA, the Indiana Arts Commission, MEIEA, among others. Her newest project “SHEROES” was cited as one of the best releases of 2018 in DownBeat Magazine, placing #31 on the year-end Jazz Week Charts.
Founder and art director of the Moscow International Jazz Festival in the Hermitage Garden
Founder and art director of the Moscow International Jazz Festival in the Hermitage Garden
Michael Green
Michael Green is a journalist, producer, one of the catalysts of jazz life in Moscow, founder and permanent art director of the Moscow International Festival Jazz in the Hermitage Garden.
In 1997, together with Alex Rostotsky, he launched his first jazz club Birdland, where almost all Moscow jazz musicians performed afterwards. That’s where he found like-minded musicians who he started to work with as a producer.
He released CDs Black Coffee and My Favorite Songs (by Anna Buturlina, 2002 and 2006), Get Happy (by Vladimir Danilin, 2006), All Right, OK, You Win (by Anna Koroleva, 2006), Black and White (by German Lukyanov, 2008) and two live CDs recorded at the 5th and 6th editions of the Jazz in the Hermitage Garden (2003, 2004). He was a artistic director and a member of the board of Moscow Jazz Engagement from 2003 to 2006. Along with the Cervantes Institute in Moscow, he held the First Russian-Spanish Jazz Festival in 2004. He hosted his own programs of Latin American music under a nick name Don Miguel at various Moscow radio stations from 1992 to 2017. Michael is one of the authors and editors of two memoir collections of jazz veterans, published under the name HERMITAGE Almanac in 2018 and 2019.
Executive director of Tampere Music Festivals
Executive director of Tampere Music Festivals
Minnakaisa Kuivalainen
Minnakaisa Kuivalainen, former Vice-President of Finland Festivals and Pirkanmaa Regional Fund, now is the executive director of Tampere Music Festivals, an organisation which holds three festivals in Finland: Tampere Jazz Happening, Tampere Biennale and Tampere Vocal Music Festival. She was elected to the Board of Directors of European Jazz Network in 2017.
Programming director of Katowice JazzArt Festival
Programming director of Katowice JazzArt Festival
Martyna Markowska
Since 2013, Martyna Markowska has been the head of programming of the Institution of Culture Katowice City of Gardens, where she programmes the Katowice JazzArt Festival and the world music festival Gardens of Sounds. In addition to writing for numerous publications dedicated to interdisciplinary forms of art, she specialises in curating interdisciplinary and social projects within the programme of Katowice — UNESCO Creative City of Music such as Polish aspect of Czech Music Crossroads in Ostrava. She was a member of the team that organised WOMEX 2017 in Katowice, and is a current board member of Europe Jazz Network. In 2019 she became a part of the programme committee for European Jazz Conference in Novara in September 2019.
Founder of Arts & Parts Ltd
Founder of Arts & Parts Ltd
Martel Ollerenshaw
Based in London and working internationally, Martel Ollerenshaw is an international arts broker and creative producer. With a wide portfolio of skills and interests, she works actively with artists, organisations and festivals to create and produce work that is pioneering and often genre blurring. Between 2002 and 2017, she worked at Serious International Music Producers/EFG London Jazz Festival, where her portfolio included Seriously Talented, the acclaimed suite of talent development programmes (i.e., Take Five, Take Five Europe and Air Time) for professional musicians working in jazz and improvised music, and now leads her own company Arts & Parts Ltd, which is a flexible vehicle to create and produce performing arts projects of all kinds, with a particular emphasis on music and interdisciplinary work. Martel is the Chair of Pacitti Company/SPILL Festival, the vice president of the Europe Jazz Network, a board member of the Australian Music Centre, and hcmf// (Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival).
Deputy director, artistic director of the Udmurt State Philharmonic Society
Deputy director, artistic director of the Udmurt State Philharmonic Society
Maria Vidmak
Maria graduated from the musical and pedagogical department of VG Korolenko Glazov State Pedagogical Institute (piano and concertmaster class) in 2006. In 2011-2017 she was a program manager of the concert repertoire at Udmurt State Philharmonia. Maria has been a deputy director and artistic director of the Udmurt State Philharmonic Society since 2017.
Alongside with professional duties Maria takes part in scientific researches in the field of classical music management.
Ms Vidmak held the following projects: IzhJazzFest, Literary Festival: In the Homeland of P. I. Tchaikovsky, Online Art Contest In the Homeland of P. I. Tchaikovsky (2016), a joint project with the New Names Foundation (more than 1000 Udmurt young musicians as participants); Music Summer Festival (which was attended by more than 10,000 residents of Udmurtia).
Production manager of JazzLab
Production manager of JazzLab
Lobke Aelbrecht
Lobke Aelbrecht, a member of the Board of Directors of Europe Jazz Network, works as an artistic production manager at JazzLab, a concert organisation platform based in Ghent, Belgium. By building long-term partnerships with venues and setting up collaborations with other organisations, JazzLab allows Belgian jazz musicians to tour in decent venues all over the country and also abroad.
Even though her education and the first ten years of her professional career were in academia, in the linguistic department of universities in Ghent and Brussels, Lobke has always embraced the music scene. A few years ago she made a clear switch away from academia and into the cultural sector, with her job at Flanders Arts Institute, a research and support center for the performing arts, music and fine arts in Flanders and Brussels, funded by the Flemish government. Lobke was the representative for jazz, folk and world music.
Publicist, concert promoter, radio host, owner of Lydia Liebman Promotions
Publicist, concert promoter, radio host, owner of Lydia Liebman Promotions
Lydia Liebman
Lydia Liebman founded boutique jazz public relations firm Lydia Liebman Promotions in 2010. Liebman started by promoting local shows at Scullers Jazz Club, Berklee’s Café 939 and Wally’s Jazz Café. Her first account was Danilo Perez’s Berklee Global Jazz Institute. Since then, LLP has grown to become one of the most active and soughе after PR firms in jazz today. LLP’s impressive roster includes artists from all spectrums of jazz including Wallace Roney, Ralph Peterson, Catherine Russell, Brandee Younger and many more.
She spearheaded the Grammy campaigns for the Baylor Project (whose independent album The Journey went on to gain two nominations in 2017) and Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s Anniversary, winner of Best Tropical Latin Album in 2018. She has promoted concerts at storied venues like Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, The Kennedy Center and Berklee Performance Center, along with most major jazz clubs in the United States.
She is a member of The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences’ (NARAS), an associate member of the Jazz Journalists Association and has served on the Board of Directors of JazzBoston.
Artistic director of Porgy & Bess, Vienna
Artistic director of Porgy & Bess, Vienna
Christoph Huber
Born 1968 in Baden, Switzerland. Graduated from the University of Vienna in 1993 with a degree in sports management. In 1991-1998 Cristoph was the co-organiser (together with Gerhard Eder) of the International Jazzfestival Saalfelden, in 1993 he held the Symposium “The Situation of the Contemporary Music on the example of Jazz” in Saalfelden. In 1993-2000 he served as the artistic & organizational director (together with Mathias Rüegg, Renald Deppe and Gabriele Mazic) of Jazz & Musicclub Porgy & Bess in Vienna, and in 2000 he became the director of the “new” Porgy & Bess in the rooms of the legendary Rondell-Kino in the center of Vienna. Among his other accomplishments are holding Good News from Russia festival in Vienna (1999), creating a concept of Grabenfesttage (together with Christoph Cech) and a jazzclub at the Kunsthalle Wien in the Museumsquartier, programming of The Great American Songbook series at Amerika exhibition at the Belvedere museum in Vienna (1999), holding the 30A series at Radiokulturhaus (1999-2000).
Jazz singer and composer.
Jazz singer and composer.
Kristina Kovalyova
Kristina Kovalyova is a jazz singer and composer, musician with a unique sense of style and creative freedom, a vibrant tone and charming charisma. She took part in The Voice of Ukraine TV contest, International Jazz Day 2018 (St. Petersburg) and Rigas Ritmi Festival 2019 (Latvia), where she was awarded with the First prize and Raimond Pauls’ special prize.
Kristina has been frequently touring Russia and other countries with Russian musicians and NY pianist Jon Davis. Deeply influenced by Ukrainian music and culture, she combines jazz and Ukrainian folk music. Kristina released her debut album Hristya v Namysti featuring outstanding St. Petersburg musicians in June 2019.
Radario Marketing Director
Radario Marketing Director
Kirill Malyshev
Kirill graduated from the Faculty of Journalism of Dostoevsky Omsk State University. Prior to starting his career in PR, he worked for more than 5 years as a mass media journalist in morning news on radio, news agencies and glossy magazines in Omsk. Kirill has been working in marketing and external communications services, telecommunication and IT companies in St. Petersburg (ER-Telecom, Peter-Service) since 2011. He has been developing the marketing and PR department of Radario, a company which elaborates cloud solutions for sales, marketing and audience reach automatization in the entertainment industry. Kirill is the organizer of Cultural Marketing educational project and conference for experts in the cultural and entertainment industry to raise issues on modern marketing and PR tools in the event industry.
Development and promotion director of The JIVE Group Production Center, producer and manager of The Kazan LIVE International Festival of Contemporary Culture
Development and promotion director of The JIVE Group Production Center, producer and manager of The Kazan LIVE International Festival of Contemporary Culture
Inna Gorodetskaya
Inna is a professional social psychologist, candidate of psychological sciences, PhD, associate professor, educator, author of more than 130 academic articles and non-fiction stories.
She is carrying out in psychological studies of creative people, cross-cultural processes, motivation and communication. She gives lectures at universities of Russia in Russian and English.
Since 2008 Inna has been leading the development and promotion projects at the JIVE Group Production Center, and has been driving the cultural and youth event concepts.
Head of Light Music company, festival producer
Head of Light Music company, festival producer
Ilya Bortnуuk
Ilya Bortnyuk has been in the music industry since 1990. Ilya is currently the general producer of Stereoleto and Parts of World (Chasti Sveta) festivals, artistic director of Morze musical club & festival, head of a music label and director of a Russian major record company. In 2001, Ilya founded Light Music company, which has become one of the main independent promoting companies in Russia.
Creative music and educational project’s manager at CASIO
Creative music and educational project’s manager at CASIO
Ivan Parshentsev
Ivan graduated from the Pop/Jazz Voice Department of Moscow State Pedagogical University. He organizes academic and jazz piano concerts, educational events and supervises collaborations with festivals at CASIO. Among the projects he worked on are Generation NEXT, Territory of Success, DrumsFest Russia 2019, SONGWRITING WEEK`19, literary festival ALOUD, LRK Trio band concerts, the Turn Over Play project by Dmitry Malikov, Moscow Seasons, Jazz Moscow at the Gilyarovsky Center, Opera in the Travel Palace.
Non Cadenza and SPb Jazz Septetus bandleader, pianist, composer, arranger
Non Cadenza and SPb Jazz Septetus bandleader, pianist, composer, arranger
Evgeny Ponomarev
Evgeny graduated from St. Petersburg Mussorgsky College of Music in 2002 and Saint Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts in 2007. He taught musical arrangements in Mussorgsky College of Music from 2006 to 2008 and worked as a musical director of the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd over more than 6 years. In 2017, he presented his author’s program for the quartet featuring A. Polovko, G. Voskoboinik and P. Mikheev.
In the two years of the quartet’s history the musicians played concerts at large venues in St. Petersburg, including The Small Hall of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia and the New Stage of Alexandrinsky Theatre, the best jazz clubs in Moscow (Igor Butman Club, Alexey Kozlov Club, Esse jazz clubs), tooked part in The Jazz Across Borders forum & festival and The International Jazz Day, performed at numerous festivals – Brodsky DRIVE, Rainy Days Jazz Fest and released their debut album NN Song.
Program Director of JAZZ 89.1 FM Radio
Program Director of JAZZ 89.1 FM Radio
Dmitry Khohlov
In 1989, Dmitry started his career in TV and radio as a sound man at the airing department of the television program South of Russia in Volgograd. Then he became the editor-in-chief of the Music Program Department. He set up along with partners the New Wave radio station in Volgograd in 1994 and started local broadcasting for Russkoe Radio, AvtoRadio, worked with Echo of Moscow, Silver Rain, Radio Shanson and other radio stations. He worked as the CEO of Russkoe Radio in Volgograd and the producer of the New Wave Media Group. In 2004 he got a rank of the Honored Signalman of Russia. He organized city days, destivals, concerts, various events. Dmitry was appointed the Program Director of the Radio JAZZ 89.1 FM by Multimedia Holding in 2019.
People’s Artist of Russia, multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, artistic director and founder of the Jazz Philharmonic.
People’s Artist of Russia, multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, artistic director and founder of the Jazz Philharmonic.
David Goloshyokin
David Goloshyokin’s career in jazz spans for more than 45 years! He is one of the most authoritative and popular musicians of our country, recognized all over the world. His passion for jazz started when he was 15 years old, and a turning point in has carreer became his tenure at the famous orchestra of Joseph Weinstein. Since 1968, David Goloshchekin has been the leader of the legendary Ensemble of Jazz Music, a band with a large international touring geography.
In 1989, with assistance of Valentina Matvienko, David Goloshyokin launched the Philharmonia of jazz music. Today the Philharmonia is one of top notch jazz clubs in the world. For last 16 years David has been the music director and founders of The Swing of the White Night Jazz Festival. He’s the host and author of numerous series of jazz programs at St. Petersburg and Russian television and radio.
Soviet and Russian musician and musicologist, jazz expert
Soviet and Russian musician and musicologist, jazz expert
Vladimir Feiertag
Alumnus of Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music and Leningradsky University, Vladimir became famous in his student years, leading a jazz orchestra, arranging music and promoting jazz. In 1960 along with Valery Mysovsky he published the first book about jazz in Russian, in 1966 he became a lecturer of Lenconcert state agency. He orgazined the first ever jazz series of concerts not only at the concert halls of Leningrad, but at the Philharmonic Halls of many cities of the Soviet Union as well. In the 1990s he lectured abroad (USA, Germany, Denmark, Austria), and became a successful music manager — he toured Europe with many Russian and Ukrainian bands and Russia — with internationally acclaimed artists including Count Basie orchestra, John McLaughlin trio, Dave Brubeck quartet, etc. Vladimir is the author of 10 books about jazz, including first encyclopedias about jazz, he contributed more than 100 articles to major jazz magazines throughout the world.
Founder and producer of The International Blues Festival Bridges
Founder and producer of The International Blues Festival Bridges
Vladimir Rusinov
In 2003, Vladimit started a band called The Jumping Cats, which recorded several albums, successfully performed in Russia, Europe and even in Kathmandu.
Vladimir started his activities as a promoter in 2010, building tours for American and European blues artists. Many blues artists have been on tour in Europe and Russia over the past 10 years at his invitation: Bob Margolin, John Nemeth, Kirk Fletcher, Ina Forsman, JW Jones, Aki Kumar, Johnny Burgin, Ina Forsman, Laura Chavez and others. In 2018, Vladimir founded Bridges Festival, its participants have included winners of Blues Music Awards.
Head of JIVE Group production center, general producer and organizer of Kazan LIVE, pianist, composer
Head of JIVE Group production center, general producer and organizer of Kazan LIVE, pianist, composer
Valery Korotkov
Valery Korotkov is a Laureate of International Contests and Festivals, bandleader, arranger and pianist of JIVE, one of the oldest jazz bands of Tatarstan, as well as indie Tatar music groups A-BAND and New Моң. Adding to it he has worked as a pianist and concertmeister of the rhythm section in jazz orchestras in Russia, the USA and Israel since 1993.
Adding to being busy as a musician, Mr Korotkov is the general producer and organizer of International Festival of Contemporary Culture Kazan LIVE (ex-Kremlin LIVE). Valery was awarded the Russian President Medal for organizing the cultural program of the World Summer Universiade in Kazan.
Independent organizer and programmer
Independent organizer and programmer
Arlette Hovinga
Arlette Hovinga has been roaming the international jazz scene for a number of years. First as a PA to Motown legends like The Four Tops on their EU tours and working alongside stars like Jeff Goldblum and Mary Wilson. Later she became involved in the organizing of multiple jazz events in The Netherlands such as Jazzfestival Delft, North Sea Round Town and Jazz in de Gracht.
Bassist for the jazz band LRK Trio
Bassist for the jazz band LRK Trio
Anton Revnyuk
He studied under the prominent bass player Anatoly Sobolev, performed in New York with saxophonist Anatoly Gerasimov and with the Igor Bril ensemble at the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada. In the early 2000s as part of the Yakov Okun trio, he worked with many American artists on the Russian stage: saxophonists Donny Maccaslin, Craig Handy, Johnny Griffin, trumpet player Alexander Sipyagin and others
Head of Creative Projects and Product Integrations at OK, Mail.ru Group
Head of Creative Projects and Product Integrations at OK, Mail.ru Group
Anton Danilov
In 2008, Anton became a co-founder of the startup be-in.ru, where he was in charge of the St. Petersburg’s media development in Moscow and Russian regions, and ran the department of commerce and special projects from 2008 to 2016.
He launched a series of Susanin local guide travel guides. Travel books on some popular cities sponsored by tourism committees and companies are published every year. In 2016, he joined the business development team of the OK social network (part of the Mail.ru Group holding), where he started working on creative projects in the fields of culture and lifestyle. Currently, Anton is head of creative projects and product integration at OK, Mail.ru group. In 2018, he came up with and set up the project We are off to the museum whereby virtual exhibitions were launched together with the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, the Russian Museum and others. There were five museums exhibition called Flemish Masters in the northern region of Belgium in 2019. Anton has become a producer of the OK Live bands young musicians contest since 2019.
MARCUS STAGE Concert Agency Managing Partner
MARCUS STAGE Concert Agency Managing Partner
Anna Bersudskaya
Anna Bersudskaya has worked as a top manager of system integration, production and high-tech equipment sales, promotion and advertising industries more than 15 years.
Over the past few years, she became deeply involved in the restaurant business. And she is currently a start up, restaurant projects development and promotion consultant.
Anna along with her associates founded the MARCUS STAGE concert agency in 2018. Today, MARCUS STAGE agency manages, promotes and launches PR campaigns for concerts and other music events. The Agency is the official PR partner of the New Stage of Alexandrinsky Theater, and works with most popular jazz and classical musicians.
Producer and Events Organizer of business and creative projects
Producer and Events Organizer of business and creative projects
Andrey Soldatkin
In 2000, Andrey Soldatkin created the RUCEA group of companies which started to be involved in the management of foreign and Russian artists and the organization of events in Russia and around the world. For 18 years, the company has organized more than 1,500 various events and performances of the artists including David Guetta, Craig David, Roisin Murphy, De Phazz, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Paul Oakenfold, Tito & Tarantulla and many others.
Andrey held his own events for thousands of people in partnership with the Moscow Gaudi Arena, participated in organizing youth festivals “Godskitchen” for the British promotional company Angel Music Group. He participated in organizing press-junket tours of Keanu Reeves, Tom Cruise, James Cameron and many other Hollywood stars in Moscow. Andrey is the concert organizer of Anton Rumyantsev, Anna Buturlina, Daniil Kramer and other Russian artists, the General Producer and the creator of the scientific and educational festival “Pulkovsky Meridian”.
Event director, project manager at the event-agency Guild of Masters
Event director, project manager at the event-agency Guild of Masters
Anastasia Larina
Anastasia graduated from the faculty of theatrical and traditional forms of activity of Saint-Petersburg State Institute of Culture with a major in directing in 2002. She has been the director and project manager at the full-service event agency Guild of Masters since 2005.
Over the years, she created and organized many projects of different types and scales: from official and private to city events, from private parties to multi-thousand festivals. Above this, Anastasia works with other agencies as a project manager in different cities of Russia. She has been a drama teacher at the Young Spectator’s Theatre since 2008. In 2014, Anastasia graduated from the School of Business Trainers, and became a certified business coach major in the development of creative thinking.
Lawyer, CEO of iPpro legal company
Lawyer, CEO of iPpro legal company
Alexander Leonov
Alexander is a Patent Attorney, Eurasian Patent Attorney, member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), and the CEO of iPpro legal company. iPpro company collaborates on copyright issues with famous music groups and artists: Kylie Minogue, Therr Maitz, Alexey Kozlov Club, Music Parking, InSimple and others. iPpro company collaborates with famous music groups and artists on copyright matters: Kylie Minogue, Therr Maitz, Alexey Kozlov Club, Music Parking, InSimple and others. Concurrently with the above-mentioned activities, Mr Leonov worked as a senior lecturer in economic law at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics from 2006 to 2014.
Owner and CEO of Justjazz agency
Owner and CEO of Justjazz agency
Catherine Mayer
Catherine Mayer has been in the business all of her life. Born into a family of Jazz lovers, her dad, Gerd Mayer, was a pioneer in the German Jazz Scene after World War 2. Her father made a business out of his passion and founded Konzertdirektion Gerd Mayer/Just Jazz Int officially in 1960. He brought mainly US artists into the Post War Europe. In her childhood, Catherine had the honor to meet a lot of the greats in Jazz as Ella Fitzgerald or Teddy Wilson, Slam Steward, Buddy Tate and many, many more.
When her father passed about 20 years ago, she took over the family business. Her first tour was with the legendary Illinois Jacquet Big Band. Her company Just Jazz International has grown into one of the finest concert agencies and artist management companies based in Europe, booking tours for Take 6, Bob James, The Manhattan Transfer, Till Bronner, Patti Austin, Ivan Lins and many more internationally acclaimed artists
Jazz drummer, music producer of Rainy Days Records, music director of Rainy Days Jazz Fest
Jazz drummer, music producer of Rainy Days Records, music director of Rainy Days Jazz Fest
Sasha Mashin
Sasha Mashin is one of the most extraordinary and talented Russian jazz drummers. He was born and began his professional career in Leningrad. In 1991, he joined the legendary Kvadrat jazz club. From 1995 to 1998, Sasha was a regular member of the Igor Butman Quartet. Having moved to Moscow in 1998, he has been constantly collaborating with the best jazz musicians in the country. Also he took the part in the creation of the MocGorTrio band.
In 2005, Sasha went to New York to participate in the Open World Educational Program. Since 2008, he has been actively touring in Russia and Europe with the best Russian and Western musicians. Since 2017, the Yamaha company has been presenting Sasha Mashina as its endorser.
In 2018, Sasha released the debut album “Outsidethebox”, recorded with the participation of Alex Sipyagin and Zhenya Strigalev. The record became one of the most important events of the year in the jazz life of Russia. In the same year, he became the music producer of the Rainy Days Records label and the music director of the Rainy Days Jazz Fest.
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.
Producer and director of the Jazz May Festval, enterpriser
Producer and director of the Jazz May Festval, enterpriser
Oleg Rubtsov
In 2010, Oleg Rubtsov decided to return to Penza and open an intellectual literature store called “Vpereplete. Other books” (2010-2015). Among the writers who spoke to the audience of the store, Dmitry Bykov, Irina Khakamada, Vera Polozkova and others. Since 2010, Oleg has been involved in organizing major urban cultural events, including the Humanitarian Forum “Searching for The Province” (2013- 2014), the Ivan Mozzhukhin Film Featival “A Male Role”.
Oleg developed a project of the Penza Book Fair, in 2013-2015, he worked as its producer and director. The fair was held with the support of the Government of the Penza Region (2013) and the Administration of the city of Penza (2014) in the framework of the Humanitarian Forum “Searching for The Province”. In 2015, it gained the status of an autonomous event. In 2012, Oleg joined the organizing committee of the International Jazz May Music Festival, established by the Department of Culture and Archives of the Penza Region. Since 2014, he has been the producer and director of the festival.
Editor-in-Chief, Communication Holding InterMedia.
Editor-in-Chief, Communication Holding InterMedia.
Evgeniy Safronov
Yevgeny Safronov worked as a consultant and analyst at the Ministry of Culture of the USSR. The Head and a participant of the working groups on cultural research and the preparation of legislation at the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and other organizations. He is the author of more than two hundred analytical publications on organizational and economic issues of the cultural sphere in the leading Russian media, a regular speaker of national and international conferences and educational programs.
Yevgeny Safronov is the founder and the director of several mass media organizations (the magazine and the news agency «Tourne», the InterMedia news agency, the Russian musical yearbook, the magazine and the television channel 1Rock, etc.).
Executive director, Head of Rainy Days Records
Executive director, Head of Rainy Days Records
Evgeniy Petrushanskiy
Evgeny Petrushansky is a graduate of the Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics University (St. Petersburg). He has been working as an independent documentary photographer for more than ten years, writing for print and online media abroad and in Russia. For eight years Evgeny has been working as a guide-interpreter with one of the main companies in St. Petersburg which specializes in walking and cycling tours.
In 2017, together with friends and like-minded colleagues, he founded the independent jazz label Rainy Days Records. The main idea of creating the label is to support those who think as modern people, without limiting themselves to certain frames and clichés, and to create comfortable conditions for the development or realization of their musical ideas. An important stage in the development of the label was the release of the debut recording of the Russian drummer Sasha Mashina “Outsidethebox”, as well as the Rainy Days Jazz Fest festival, which was held in St. Petersburg and Moscow in August 2018 and became the harbinger of the music season both for jazz lovers and musicians.
Pianist, member of the LRK TRIO, member of the Moscow Union of composers
Pianist, member of the LRK TRIO, member of the Moscow Union of composers
Evgeny Lebedev
A graduate of Berklee College of Music (Boston), winner of the Montreux piano competition(Switzerland), Made in New York Jazz competition (USA), and winner of a special award fromBillboard magazine.
Art director and managing director of Kozlov Club
Art director and managing director of Kozlov Club
Araik Akopyan
Araik is producer of BazzDay Ferstival, FuzzionDay Festival, Tilli Milli Jazz Festival and City Jazz Festival, co-founder the Jazzist media blog. He is Art director and managing director of Kozlov Club.
General Manager of Europe Jazz Network
General Manager of Europe Jazz Network
Giambattista Tofoni
Giambattista Tofoni started his career as a musician and switched to the production field in 1985. He organised more than 2000 concerts at the most important Italian festivals (Ravenna, Verona, Mantova, Crossroads, TAM, La Biennale in Venice, etc.). In 2010, he became a Board member of I-Jazz, the Italian Jazz Federation. He is one of the founding members of EJN in 1987 and has been its General Manager since 2010. He is currently responsible for EJN’s vision, strategy and work program; overseeing the work of the staff/ focal points/working groups; representing EJN and its interests; leading on relationships with other European cultural networks and other relevant bodies.
WBGO journalist
WBGO journalist
Sheila Elaine Anderson
Always interested in jazz, in 1995 Ms. Anderson joined the staff of WBGO, Newark, New Jersey where she hosts Weekend Jazz After Hours and Salon Sessions and Sunday Night Music Mix. She has authored four books: The Quotable Musician: From Bach to Tupac (2003), The Little Red Book of Musicians’ Wisdom (Skyhorse Press, 2012). How to Grow as A Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed (2005), the second edition is set to publish in November, 2019 As festival producer her work includes curator of the Newark Museum’s Jazz in the Garden Series and a Columbia University Community Scholar, class of 2017.
Art-director of JAM Club, founder of concert agency Pro Jazz
Art-director of JAM Club, founder of concert agency Pro Jazz
Anton Raktovich
Since 2016, he has organized more than 3,000 concerts in Andrey Makarevich’s JAM Club. He is one of the founders and the main organizer of the international jazz festival VR JAZZ Fest.
Anton organized jazz concerts of Andrey Makarevich, concerts of the American cellist Ian Maksin, and “no celebrity” sellout concerts in grand halls.
He is the teacher of a joint course by Timepad and Netology “How to Make Money out of Your Event”, the author of the webinars “Promoting Concerts”, a member of the jury of the New Open Showcase festival in Ekaterinburg, member of the jury of the jazz competition-festival Jazz Birds-2020.
Founder and leading expert of music project development agency InSimple, lecturer at RMA business school
Founder and leading expert of music project development agency InSimple, lecturer at RMA business school
ALEXEI NIKOLAEV
He was a music editor on channels Muz TV and NTV+, art director of the clubs Kult and Propaganda, and the director of the copyright department of the Zvooq music service.
He provided recruitment, staff training and consultations for such artists and companies as Nina Kraviz, Teslaboy, BlackStar Inc., Yulia Samoilova, Triangle Sun, Therr Maitz, Vlad Topalov, Google, Zvooq, Coub, Zion Records, Mubert, Galernaya20, iMixes, and many others.
He has organized more than 300 foreign artists’ tours in Russia and Russian DJs’ performances in the UK.
Cofounder and vice-president, L’Équipe Spectra, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
Cofounder and vice-president, L’Équipe Spectra, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
André Ménard
André Ménard numbers among the most influential figures in the Quebec artistic community, having greatly contributed to the cultural life of Montreal. Working in the domain of live show and concert production since 1975, he founded L’Équipe Spectra with Alain Simard almost 40 years ago and remains vice-president of the company. He is also the cofounder of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and, he oversaw the workings of Montréal venues Le Spectrum and Métropolis (MTELUS) for 25 years as Vice-President and Managing Director of concert halls for L’Équipe Spectra. From 1995 to 2015, he sat on the board of directors of dance company La La La Human Steps and has been a member of the board of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership since its inception in 2003. Driven by his insatiable cultural curiosity, André Ménard travels to more than 300 artistic events every year throughout the world.
JazzMap.ru Editor and Creative Director
JazzMap.ru Editor and Creative Director
Olga Karpova
Olga Karpova is a graduate of the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University. In the late 1990s, she worked for the 2nd and 5th TV channel of Russia, then she plunged into web marketing and online journalism. In 2013 she took up a new hobby – JazzMap.ru blog – started photo and video shooting. What was done for a mere pleasure progressed into a huge musical project that now covers jazz events and concerts in both capitals, and shares latest news about the Russian jazz scene. Jazzmap.ru offers big photo reports of concerts and jazz festivals, exclusive videos and interviews. Over time, social communities and Youtube channel were added to the blog. JazzMap.ru main objective is to gather jazz performers and lovers, to provide latest information about upcoming concerts of Russian and foreign stars of jazz music, jazz festivals and interesting creative collaborations. A “westward expansion” in the form of two similars projects in London and Boston is planned for two coming years.
Drummer of LRK Trio
Drummer of LRK Trio
Ignat Kravtsov
Ignat Kravtsov was born in Ekaterinburg, and before moving to Moscow in 2013 played in a variety of jazz to rock bands. The teamwork with his bandmates in LRK Trio Evgeny Lebedev and Anton Revnyuk contributed him to show a new side as a universal drummer, capable of presenting own music within the band and implementing his bandmates’ excitingly sophisticated ideas in a creative way. Beyond the LRK Trio, he plays in a Russian indie rock band Therr Maitz and leads his own progressive rock&fusion band Amber Sept.
Key Event Director
Key Event Director
Julia Mironchik
Having graduated from the Faculty of the directing of theatrical performances and festivities at Saint-Petersburg State Institute of Culture, Julia has been creating events, performances and theatrical shows as a director and scriptwriter since 2010. Her key projects include MegafonLive Festival 2015-2016 in 10 cities across Russia, National CRE Real Estate Awards Ceremony, ROSINFRA National Infrastructure Development Award and a whole range of cultural events, musical festivals, theater and fashion shows, musicals, conferences, awards ceremonies and other events for Russian and international companies.
Managing Director, Nasjonal jazzscene, President of Europe Jazz Network
Managing Director, Nasjonal jazzscene, President of Europe Jazz Network
Jan Ole Otnæs
His career as a jazz promoter started in 1969 when he presented Keith Jarrett Trio in his hometown. Jan Ole became the first director of Bodø Kulturhus a new – two venue performing space in Bodø in 1991. He was asked to take over as Artistic Director of Molde Int Jazz Festival in 2001, a position he had until August 2013, when he took over as managing director of Nasjonal Jazzscene – Victoria. Victoria is a 300 cap venue in Oslo presenting around 150 concerts per year, a variety of unestablished acts and nasjonal/ international artists like Chick Corea, Brad Mehldau, Joshua Redman, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Esperanza Spalding, John McLaughlin etc.
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
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