Tbilisi, Georgia: With the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia, Tbilisi Music and Cultural Center hosted the 9th International Music Festival, named after Jansug Kakhidze. The festival hosted a joint concert by jazz singer Kurt Elling, a two-time Grammy winner, and the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Vakhtang Kakhidze.
In the evening, Georgian Minister of Culture and Sports Thea Tsulukiani attended.
Kurt Elling is among the world’s best jazz singers. During his 25-year performing career, he won three Vocal Jazz Awards in France, two Echo Awards in Germany, two Edison Awards in the Netherlands, and 16 Grammy nominations. For 14 years, he was the leader in critics’ and audience polls and won a Jazz Journalist Award for “Vocalist of the Year.”
Elling has collaborated with famous musicians such as Branford Marsalis, Danilo Perez, Stephon Harris, Fred Hershey, James Morrison and Charlie Hunter and also performed intensively with ensembles such as Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra, Bob Mincer Big Band, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Metropolis Orchestra (Netherlands), Irish Radio and Television Orchestra, National Jazz Orchestra of Scotland and the West German Radio Broadcasting Orchestra.
Elling always rearranges compositions by famous composers, including John Coltrane, Kit Jarrett, Pat Mathen, Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter, and Joe Zavinuli. He also participated in the production of Chicago theater’s interdisciplinary performances.
Elling is touring the world, performing in concerts celebrating International Jazz Day in Havana (Cuba), St. Petersburg (Russia), Melbourne (Australia), and Washington (USA).
Jansug Kakhidze’s 9th International Music Festival with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia was opened on May 12 with a concert of 16 Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, Cuban clarinetist and saxophonist, Paquito d’Rivera and Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra, and on May 25 world star, African singer, five-time Grammy winner, Angelik Kijo and Tbilisi Symphonic Orchestra It will be closed with a concert. Maestro Vakhtang Kakhidze conducts concerts.
International musical festival named after Jansug Kakhidze in 2015 J. It was founded by the initiative of Kakhidze Tbilisi Music and Cultural Center and with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia and is managed annually. The first festival was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Jansug Kakhidze. The festival program is built on the creative collaboration of the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra and famous music stars.
Different years participated in the festival together with Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra: The Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, TAKE 6, The Real Group, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Janoska Ensemble, Ivan Lynx, Bob James, Patty Austin, Paula Morelnbaum.
The International Music Festival, named after Jansug Kakhidze, is intended for lovers of music of all genres and offers exciting projects to the audience. It is also successfully promoting Georgian music.
