Young jazz talents compete in Riga

Māris Briežkalns had to be patient for two years before his talent competition for jazz artists up to the age of 33 could take place again. During the three days in Latvia's capital Riga, there are always two categories for the soloists presenting themselves within the competition: the first is singing, the second changes annually. This year, drummers were allowed to apply for the second category, which must have made organiser Briežkalns listen particularly carefully, since he himself is one of the most prominent drummers in his country, and has played with jazz greats such as Grover Wahsington, Jr. or Frank Foster, can be heard on more than 70 CDs, toured worldwide and also works as one of the bosses at Latvian radio. Not to mention the fact that Briežkalns also organises the Rigas Ritmi Festival every summer.

Twenty three young jazz artists made it to the final round in Riga at the 13th edition of the Jazz Stage. Interestingly, all the participants in the vocal section were female, while only young men were on the drums. After the first round, in which all participants were allowed to introduce themselves with a piece of their choice, it became clear after four long hours: technically, all participants are quite good. But only a few offered something exciting and original. Most of them interpreted jazz standards, a few also their own songs. Like the Italian Valentina Fin with emotionality in an original composition in Italian and a text inspired by the poetry of Bertold Brecht.

The two drummers Matias Fischer-Mogensen from Denmark and Domo Branch from the USA shone not only with their polyrhythmic ideas, but also with freshness and vitality, which was never a means without an end. The only German participant, the Frankfurt-born singer Amanda Becker opted for something Brazilian and cut quite a figure, especially in scatting.

Becker made it to the final of the best participants from both categories, just like the Italian (who came second in the end) and the two drummers from Denmark and the USA, but then she was no longer convincing. Others had much more individuality to offer. Eylul Ergul from Turkey, for example, performed a Turkish song, which she coloured very finely in a jazz context. For the second song, however, she chose a jazz standard, which she sang in English, where she then clearly fell off. That one can stand out with the singing of jazz standards was shown by the British Louise Balkwill, who gave familiar old material a new shine with a casual dirtiness. With the most convincing stage presence of all the singers, the London-based vocalist also scored points. So, it was not a huge surprise that Balkwill won the singing competition in the end - which brought her not only a cash prize and a new microphone but also invitations to the Nardis Jazz Club in Istanbul, to Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London and back to Riga for the Riga Ritmi Festival.

Drummer Domo Branch also had this coolness and knew how to communicate with the audience. Coupled with his drumming skills, he was the deserved winner among the drummers. And besides money and presents, he can also look forward to a gig at London's Ronnie Scott's.

In the final concert, this year's artist in residence Jamison Ross showed how to combine nonchalance, entertainment and great skill on cymbals and drums. The US drummer and singer was a member of the jury and gave a workshop before entertaining the audience in the evening with his trio in the beautiful old cinema Splendid Palace, the venue of the Riga Jazz Stage. There, the contestants could see how to perform perfectly on a big stage.   

Next year in April, the Riga Jazz Stage will go into the next round. With new voices - and the saxophone as a second category.