Jazz, Jazz and again Jazz - the oldest Ukrainian Festival «VINNYTSIA JAZZFEST 2013" September 21-22, again in the eighteenth time gathers its more than two million’ audience.
The fans of the most democratic and unpredictable music will meet with international stars and artists working in different styles. Which traditions will be kept by this year's Jazz Fest, and what kind of surprises have been prepared for the viewers- this and other important information was given by Executive Producer Festival, Honored Artist of Ukraine Irina Frenkel to UKRINFORM.
- Irina, not every music forum can boast such a history as «VINNYTSIA JAZZFEST». How can yo manage so many years " keep the brand "?
- Our festival is distinguished from other by the form of conducting – it is a festival of solo concerts. This makes it possible to keep the brand and remain an influential professional musical event . When we launched the festival in 1996, it was rather in spite of the circumstances, than due to them . We had no money, no skills or connections. There was then in Ukraine no international institutions willing to support us . But we had a great desire . The desire to change the circumstances in which culture ended up in the 90s , not the attitude to them.
I remember the first festival when for some reason we decided to hold the event during the May holidays . Easter has just passed, and people left for rest and dacha. For two days’ period we counted in the halls about 75 viewers ... but it was no obstacle to reduce the desire to hold a second festival. Despite many obstacles and lack of partners the festival in Vinnytsia took place and it was a precedent for independent Ukraine . The next festival we got here the real stars of world and Russian jazz: there was my classmate in the conservatory Andrei Kondakov and Arkady Shilkloper, Vladimir Volkov. I believe that their concert was crucial. We decided to develop the festival .
Andriy, who even then had his jazz festival in St. Petersburg, helped us to establish contacts with European jazz festivals and performers.
For the fourth fest we could submit our first grant and received support from the Polish Institute in Kyiv for the performance of musicians Leshyk Mozhdzhera and Adam Pironchyk . It was a very big step for us, and participation of European jazz stars raised the level of the festival.
Starting from the fifth festival we gained support from a strong Vinnytsia commercial company that had a significant impact on the quality of concert programs.
When we organized the festival for the sixth time , we were joined by a partner , due to whom the festival went beyond the concert hall. Vinnytsia Regional TV and Radio Company " VINTERA " led by the Honoured Journalist of Ukraine Lubov Kovalenko, contributes greatly to the jazz music popularization. It is in the hall of TV and Radio Company “VINTERA” that the concerts take place the festival , so it becomes possible to go live , which increases the audience a hundred times ,and the audience is more than two million. TV and Radio Company “VINTERA” has set a broadcasting record of Ukraine "The longest broadcasting time of a cultural event in Ukraine ." Thanks to television and the sixth festival we changed the format of concert conducting abandoning the traditional complex concerts, transforming into a festival of concert programs.
A major achievement was the fact that our example has inspired the organizers of Odessa and Chisinau to create their own festivals. We united for the sake of Arts and the three of us started fighting for grants to get the star performers. I want to say that this practice is very successful.
Yet , Vinnitsa – is not the largest cultural center of the country , and jazz – is music not for everyone. Why festival caught in a small town in fact ?
- I dare not to agree with you. Vinnitsa favorably differs from other cities in Ukraine in high morality and high culture behavior. Vinnytsia has its own caste of theatre supporters, classical music and jazz fans. We educate ouraudience . Here, for example : The Day of the City or The Day of Europe. Five-hour marathons of symphonic music are arranged nn the main square of the city. On other platforms various kinds of art from street art to professional , but always of high quality are presented. It creates an aura of the city. And everybody who comes talks about that, who has ever been to Vinnytsia and not only during the holidays. Jazz Festival in Vinnytsia feels at home.
- In addition to television broadcasts and form of presentation what other differences are there from other cultural events
- I would say this: The festival distinguishes democracy, accessibility and openness. «VINNYTSIA JAZZFEST» is open for communication. We have feedback from the audience and consider their opinion And of democracy speaks at least the fact that the atmosphere at the festival is very open and sincere , there is no tension. It brings together performers and viewers through media shows that we are presenting before the concert , and easy communication at the end .
- Has the public during the existence of the festival changed ?
- Our audience is growing with us. The quality of public varies from year to year , from concert to concert. Avant-garde jazz attracts more young people. When standard jazz is on, and jazz, where the professionals are involved , such as Garanian or Lundstrem orchestra – there is another filling of space. And when Igor Butman and Larisa Dolina band came from - it was the audience who came in evening dresses and diamonds, which is not typical for jazz events.
- What kind of joy there will be for the music lovers this time?
- This year we have 95% of the premiere bands that will perform for the first time not only in Vinnytsia but also in Ukraine . The projects are interesting, do not repeat each other in genres.
The star of world jazz Lisa Henry (USA), often called the modern Ella Fitszherald, is headlining the festival this year is. She presents her project together with the stars of world jazz Oleg Butman trio (Russia , Moscow). They were here two years ago and presented a very interesting project - piano and percussion .
Also, the viewers will see an extraordinary project " Ahimza " ( India- Germany), Europeanism which combines jazz with the sounds of Indian musical instruments. They will perform in a concert with the German- Spanish- Canadian trio led by Benedict Yanel . Canadian jazz will prevail in this project.
Our Municipal Jazz Orchestra " VinBend " with young jazz performers also prepares a very interesting program.
And the first day of the festival will be purely European. The concerts will feature a Swiss trio of Roman Thule , the soloist Cuba Stankiewicz from Poland, gorgeous ensemble of Roland Neff (Austria and Germany ) with the project «VIBES BEYOND». As well as music and theater project of Italian quartet led by Dario Pinella (Italy), who became famous on the stages of New York by inflammatory gypsy jazz. In addition to concerts , the festival will be an exhibition of Polish Jazz Poster and " jazz breakfasts " in one of the hypermarket chains - our general partner.
For the third time within the framework of the festival the competition for young jazz musicians will take place . Contestants , by the way , will participate in the street projects of our festival. And, of course, there will be again concerts’ broadcast on TV channel VDT -6 as a part of the " Jazz week " project.
- Apparently, the jazz festival will be for all tastes. And has the taste changed over time ?
- Of course, since its inception jazz has gone through transformation , at least because of technological progress . Electronic musical instruments have appeared , as well as computer technologies . Perhaps jazz is more aggressive. There are new styles such as rock jazz. But traditional jazz has remained stayed for one still needs an island where you can rest your soul .
The main thing is that jazz – is a state of mind tuned to modernity. We live in a world that needs one to be an improviser to adapt to the circumstances with which you have to live and work. Jazz gives some freedom and independence , allowing you to remain a self-sufficient person.