What better way to warm up on a chilly December evening than by listening to the smokey sounds of jazz? This month you’re spoiled for choice with a trio of exceptional tribute concerts in the capital. Whether it’s an ode to Frank Sinatra, Queen or one of Russia’s greatest jazz legends you’re after, we promise you won’t be disappointed by our top picks from the Moscow jazz scene.
Antony Rumyantsev Plays Queen
Saxophonist Anton Rumyantsev is frequently referred to as a young Igor Butman — they share a similarly powerful style and an ability to captivate even a large audience. As with many jazz artists, Rumyantsev began his career collaborating with pop projects like Diskoteka Avaria and Uma Turman, before going on to perform with his own quartet. Wanting to break out of the traditional jazz mould Rumyantsev performed concerts inspired by the Beatles and Nirvana. His upcoming concert will be a tribute to British rock band Queen, with the saxophonist accompanied by soloists from the Hermitage ensemble.
Tsentralny Dom Khudozhnikov. 10/14 Ulitsa Krymsky Val. Metro Oktyabrskaya. Dec.7 at 8 p.m. Tickets from 500 rubles. www.cha.ru
Peter Vostokov: An Ode to Frank Sinatra
Ambitious young trumpeter Peter Vostokov is rather unique in the jazz community. Instead of starting small with a quartet he formed his own orchestra from the offset at the age of just 25. Vostokov will perform alongside his namesake orchestra this Thursday. On the program: a tribute dedicated to the early years of Frank Sinatra’s career. Sinatra believed that working closely with an orchestra was an essential initial step in the career of any jazz vocalist, and Vostokov has employed his wife Darya Antonova and his friend Pavel Ivanov to bring the famous tracks of Sinatra to Moscow audiences.
Moscow International House of Music. Svetlanovsky Hall. 52 Kosmodamianskaya Naberezhnaya, Bldg. 8, Metro Paveletskaya. Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets from 1200 rubles. mmdm.ru
Eight Trumpeters Commemorate Timofei Dokshiker
Russian trumpeter Semyon Milstein is one of the most active musicians on the jazz scene. Besides his professional duties, he also bears a large number of public and social responsibilities as a leading trumpeter. Under his patronage, the eight leading Russian trumpeters will perform a concert alongside the Russian philharmonic ensemble next Tuesday to celebrate the 95th anniversary of legendary trumpeter Timofei Dokshizer. Timofei Dokshizer was a classical trumpeter, a soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra for many years, awarded the nation’s artist prize for Russia and given the title professor at Gnesin Academy. Five of the eight trumpeters, including Milstein himself, are classically trained but the strong trio of Arkady Shilkloper, Vadim Eilenkrig and Alex Sipyagin guarantee jazz interpretations too.
Moscow International House of Music. Svetlanovsky Hall. 52 Kosmodamianskaya Naberezhnaya, Bldg. 8, Metro Paveletskaya. Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets from 700 rubles. mmdm.ru
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