International Jazz Bridge 2021
ICF «International Music Bridge» at the initiative of the founder Oleksii Saranchin and R.Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy Of Music will connect the most gifted musicians from all over the world in a global event.
The event:
- constantly becomes a support and motivation for further creative success of gifted Ukrainian youth;
- integrates Ukraine into world cultural life;
- becomes a bridge that unites people around the world regardless of political considerations.
The competition aims and objectives
- searching and developing the creativity of kids and youth of Ukraine and worldwide;
- promoting the integration of Ukraine into the world art space;
- development and popularization of jazz culture and music through the selection of the best young performing talents of Ukraine and worldwide, and support them at the beginning of their creative development;
- increasing the general level of professional performance among young people;
- creation of conditions for the stage impersonation of abilities and skills, manifestation of individuality and giftedness of children and youth;
- support in the formation of the competitiveness of jazz musicians which fosters development and prepares for professional activities in the future;
- exchange of professional experience in jazz performance in Ukraine and worldwide;
- strengthening of cultural and creative connection between different educational institutions of culture and art.
Jury
Oleksandr Zlotnyk (Ukraine) – Chairman of the Jury.
Composer, People’s Artist of Ukraine, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Rector of R.Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy Of Music.
Honorary Professor of Launzhong University (China) and Lviv National Music Academy named after Mykola Lysenko. Honorary Doctor of the National Academy of Music of Ukraine Tchaikovsky.
He is one of the founders of the jazz movement in Ukraine. In the 80s, he was the deputy chairman of the Kiev Jazz Club.
On September 19, 2020, within the framework of the national action “Star of Ukraine” in Kyiv, Oleksandr Zlotnyk’s name star was laid on the Alley of Stars.
For many years he has been actively engaged in social work; he is a member of more than 10 influential foundations, councils and associations. He is a Laureate of many national and international competitions and festivals. Oleksandr has many state awards of Ukraine – The Order of Merit of 3rd and 2nd class, the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of IV class, the Order of Nicholas the Wonderworker, Order of St. Svyatoslav of 3rd class; awarded the Gold Medal of WIPO (Switzerland), etc.
Vadim Neselovskyi (USA) – piano.
Pianist, composer, jazz citizen of the world, one of the most demanded musicians of the “post-Soviet space” in US.
The youngest student at The Odessa National A. V. Nezhdanova Academy of Music, after which he studied at the Essen Music High School (Folkwang University of the Arts) in Germany.
One of the most successful graduates of Berklee College of Music, Thelonious Monk Institute and the first Ukrainian who became a professor at Berklee College of Music.
In 2010, Neselovsky won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composers Competition.
Vadym had worldwide tours with Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Terri Lyne Carrington, and shared the stage with artists such as John Scofield, Terence Blanchard, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Benny Golson, Nicholas Payton, Steve Coleman and others.
Whether as a pianist, composer, improviser, soloist or bandleader, Vadym creates truly inspirational and totally unique music.
Dennis Adu (Ukraine) – trumpet.
Dennis Adu is a Professor of Jazz trumpet at the Department of Jazz Music at the R.Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy Of Music.
In 2007, Adu became the winner of “Do # Dj Junior” (the Best Trumpet Player), in 2009 at this competition he became the winner in the nominations “the Best Musician of Ukraine” and “the Best Jazz Standard Arrangement”.
Dennis took part in such international festivals and competitions as “Millau en Jazz” (France), “Fel du Sher” (France), “Jazz A Vienne” (В ‘yen), Leopolis Jazz Fest (Ukraine) and many others.
He played with Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Gregory Porter, Curtis Fuller, Jim Rotondi, Roy and Ofer Assaf, Steve Slagle, Javon Jackson, Larry Willis, Quincy Davis, Dana Hall, Jason Brown, Jimmy Bosch, Mitch Froman, Pete Nater Frankie Vasquez, Wayne Escoffery, Michael Dease, Mambo Legends Orchestra, Seamus Blake, John Hollenbeck and others.
Since 2012, he has been the head of Dennis Adu Big Band, Dennis Adu Quintet, Dennis Adu Sextet, Dennis Adu Septet, as well as the leader and conductor of the big band of R.Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy Of Music.
Artem Mendelenko (Ukraine) – saxophone.
One of the best saxophonists in Ukraine. Artem is not just a jazz performer, but a versatile musician who is subject to all musical styles.
Professor of saxophone at the R.Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy Of Music.
Artem Mendelenko’s students became prize-winners of many competitions and winners of the YAMAHA MUSIC GULF SCHOLSHIT 2020 program (Saxophone category).
During his musical career he has participated in more than 50 jazz festivals.
Artem Mendelenko regularly performs and makes records with Ukrainian jazz musicians, and also collaborates with many famous musicians such as De Phazz, Karl Frierson, Eric Marienthal, Lars Daniellson, Magnus Öström, John Parichelli, Gregory Privat, Michael Dease, Andrew Gould, Mitch Frohman , Frankie Vasquez, Wayne Escoffery, Paquito D’Rivera, Diego Urcola, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, Alex Brown and others.
Currently, his students continue their studies in the USA, Austria, Germany and Poland. He took part in the recordings of over 20 CDs and the soundtrack for Valery Todorovsky’s film “Stilyagi”.
Alex Maksymiw (Canada) – guitar.
Toronto-born Alex Maksymiw is guitarist, composer with strong post-bop roots mixed with some fusion techniques.
He studied at Humber College (Toronto) and Amsterdam Conservatory (Amsterdam).
Alex released his self-produced debut in 2011 and “Without A Word” is his second album as leader (and first international release).
Alex played with many of the best musicians like Peter Van Huffel, Dave Binney Dick Oatts, Marcus Strickland, Sam Harris, Soil Ensemble, Amsterdam jazz orchestra, PVH octet, Kevin Bachelor, Peter Schlamb, Bodek Janke and others.
He played in more than 20 commercial recordings.
Alex currently lives in Berlin and participates in both local and international projects.
Anton Zhukov (Ukraine) – bass.
Famous Ukrainian contrabass player.
He graduated from the R.Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy Of Music as an academic and jazz double bass player.
Anton worked at the National Philharmonic of Ukraine (NFU Symphony Orchestra, Kyiv Chamber Orchestra).
He worked as a Professor of contrabass at the R.Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy Of Music from 2007 to 2020 (Department of Jazz Music).
Now works in the orchestra of the National Opera of Ukraine.
Participant of the many musical projects both in Ukraine and abroad. Among them are: “Nostri Temporis ensemble”, “Kremerata baltica”, “Blue Horse” and others.
Oleg Markov (Ukraine) – drums.
Famous Ukrainian drummer and composer.
Started at the R.Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy Of Music and at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (KUG) (Austria).
While living in Kyiv, he was a member of the Kiev Big Band and other bands in which he played with such famous musicians as Curtis Fuller, Frank Lacy, James Spaulding, Larry Willis, Gregory Porter, Alex Sipiagin, Essiet Essiet, Don Friedman, etc.
After studying in Kyiv, Oleg moved to Graz, where he obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degrees. While living in Graz, he made many records, won several different competitions and had the chance to perform with such musicians as Stjepko Gut, Jim Rotondi, Dena De Rose, Robert Bargad, Renato Chicco, Don Menza, Luis Bonilla, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Shew, etc.
Currently, Oleg is a Professor of drum and rhythm at the R.Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy Of Music and continues to perform worldwide.
Tamara Lukasheva (Germany) – vocal.
Tamara Lukasheva is an outstanding representative of the young German jazz scene.
With her emotional, technically perfect vocal, she embodies the current free spirit of jazz.
Since 2010 Tamara has been living in Germany, working on numerous musical projects, such as her own quartet, duet with all kinds of musical instruments, programs for orchestras and big bands.
Tamara has more than six released albums, and she is working on a solo record.
She had the tours in such countries as Ukraine, Austria, Albania, Bosnia, Egypt, Italy, China, Mexico, Moldova, Germany, Pakistan, Poland, Switzerland, countries of Central America.
Tamara was announced the winner of the WDR Jazz Prize in the Composition category.
Total Prize fund
US $10,000.
Special Prizes of the Competition
Prize by Andrey Zdesenko, CEO of Biosphere Corporation and founder of Charisma Fashion Group:
Special award «Courage in Jazz» Diploma and cash prize. And also, together with his support, the guitar players will be awarded.
Prize by sponsor:
«The Audience Award», Diploma and Award.
Prize by WOODSTOCK:
Guitar «Woodstock».
Prize by UKRSOUNDSERVICE:
- Instrument microphone Shure PGA98H TQG.
Prize by Andrey Perevertaev, Power Sector Independent Consultant:
Special award «Energy in jazz», Diploma and cash prize.
More information can be found at
Sponsors
