MIRAGE JAZZ ORCHESTRA (conducted by Lauris Amantovs) celebrates its 20th anniversary with a Gala Concert at Latvia’s most prestigious venue – Dzintaru Concert Hall. The orchestra actively performs at various jazz festivals around the world, regularly participates in TV shows (e.g., “Muzikālā banka” and others), radio broadcasts, international sports dance competitions like the “Baltic Grand Prix,” and more. Thanks to its versatile activities and the ability to offer music in various styles, it has become an integral part of Latvia’s musical life. Today, we can confidently say that it is one of the most professional jazz orchestras, not only in Latvia but across the Baltic region!
Ilona Bagele is a soloist at the Latvian National Opera and one of the most sought-after concert performers in Latvia with extensive experience in classical, jazz, and popular music. She has collaborated with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, the Latvian National Armed Forces Orchestra, and has frequently performed with the Rīga Orchestra. As a soloist, she has participated in several concert programs led by maestro Raimonds Pauls.
Rūta Dūduma-Ķirse is perhaps the most versatile vocalist in Latvia, showcasing her singing talent in genres such as pop, ethnic, Latvian pop music, and musicals. She has been a backup vocalist for almost all Latvian (and non-Latvian) singers. As a jazz singer, she won the Grand Prix at the Nomme Jazz competition (EST, 2013) and third place at the Riga Jazz Stage (LV, 2018). She recorded an album with Laura Amantova’s quartet, “Katram sava tautasdziesma” (2022). She has performed at jazz festivals such as Turku Jazz (FIN), Kaunas Jazz (LT), Jazz n Chisinau (MD), Rīgas Ritmi (LV), Saulkrasti Jazz (LV), among others. For 10 years, she has been a member of one of the most professional jazz a cappella groups, FRAMEST, and is a soloist of the musical ensemble Vintāža.
Arūnas Viduolis is a Lithuanian saxophonist who completed his jazz music studies at Klaipeda University and later interned in Spain with several distinguished instructors. He actively participates in the Lithuanian jazz scene, leads the Panevėžys Big Band, and is a member of the band GinGas and the group “Arina ir Veto Bank”. He also regularly performs with prominent Lithuanian pop musicians and participates in recordings and TV shows.
Alexandras Dunis is a jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and producer. He teaches at VD University and is a lecturer for the Kaunas Big Band. Aleksandras Dunis has performed with various projects in many countries worldwide and continues to participate in festivals and concerts in Lithuania and international jazz festivals.
Normunds Rutulis is a Latvian singer, music and radio producer, songwriter, radio DJ, and TV presenter. He is widely known for his performances in schlager and pop music. Under the pseudonym N’Works, he is known as a remixer. Since 1995, he has collaborated with Raimonds Pauls. He is one of the few Latvian soloists to have received 10 Latvian Music Recording of the Year awards.
Grigorijs Kovaļevskis is a legendary musician and double bassist. He has performed with two outstanding conductors – Kirill Kondrashin and Rudolf Barshai – and has been a part of Arvīds Jansons’ golden years and his son Māra’s early success. His collaborators have included such prominent musicians as Sviatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich, Pinchas Zukerman, Eliso Virsaladze, Natalya Gutman, Mischa Maisky, Mikhail Pletnev, the Borodin Quartet, and Evgeny Kissin, among others. Tonight, he will undoubtedly surprise you with his performance in an unusual role.
The concert also features students from the Riga Dome Cathedral Choir School’s jazz department.
For more information, please call +371 29510475.
Approximate duration: 2 hours
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