Press conference by Latvian jazz musicians participating in project Balticness [10 Mar 2008]

On 13 March at 7 pm in the Sunny terrace jazz room of the Europa City Hotel (Brīvības iela 199C, Riga) there will be a press conference about the participation of the Latvian jazz musician association Riga Groove Electro in the travelling project Balticness, which has been organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the presidency of the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS). The musicians will speak to journalists about the project, about the concerts already held and those yet to take place, and the goal and emotional gratification these concerts achieve. A musical and visual performance will be presented as well.  

The jazz concerts held under the project Balticness are unique in that from November 2007 to June 2008 Latvian musicians are visiting all the major cities of the Baltic Sea states: Tallinn, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Oslo, Reykjavik, Copenhagen, Berlin, Warsaw and Vilnius, at each concert performing with local jazz musicians of the relevant Baltic Sea state. Original compositions and jazz arrangements of folk songs of the host country are performed at the concerts. At the conclusion of the project the music will be available on an album. The concerts are visually enriched by a video performance on the subject of the Baltic Sea, created by the studio Hypnosis group.

The next concert will be held on 17 March, at the well known Copenhagen jazz club, Jazz House, one of the most prestigious and popular in Europe. The project will close on 4 June in Riga with a concert for the general public with performances by guest artists from all the countries of the region.

 "This is one of the most unique projects implemented during the last five years - especially the co-operation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an apparently alternative group engaged in contemporary music - Riga Groove Electro. It is interesting how the world is accessible, close and united in music, where nationality has no meaning. The significance is in the conviction, clarity of thought, and goals of the individual.  We are especially enthusiastic when arranging local folk songs for the concerts. Each performance is an experience, an unusual multicultural meeting. The Baltic Sea and Balticness are a symbol of understanding, of mutual interests and of light - a symbol of life," says leader of the group  Deniss Paskevics.

Members of Riga Groove Electro  (Deniss Paskevics, Madars Kalnins, Kaspars Grigalis, Norberts Skraucis, DJ Monsta, Neff Irizarry) are all professional musicians. Each year they organise and take part in various music improvisation master classes, both in Latvia and abroad. 

Representatives of the media are requested to advise the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretariat of the Council of Baltic Sea States of their attendance at the press conference by telephone 26564629 or e-mail: inga.saleniece@mfa.gov.lv by 14.00 hours of 13 August.

More information on the project Balticness jazz concerts http://www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/cbss/Balticness/dzeza-koncerti/

The project Balticness is a year-long series of events which includes jazz concerts, an exhibition of photographs and discussions on current issues of the Baltic Sea region. The main objective of the project is to foster development of the identity of and belonging to the region, promote development of cooperation and enhance integration among the Baltic Sea states, emphasising the Baltic Sea as the life line of the region and its people. 

The project is being implemented by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with Latvian Embassies in CBSS member countries, local governments, the CBSS Secretariat in Stockholm, the Centre of Contemporary Art, the musicians association Ze Pirats, and The Baltic Development Forum.

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