Overview of the Moscow Jazz Festival 2023
In June 2023, Moscow hosted a vibrant showcase of jazz talent as more than 1,000 artists from around the world took the stage across eight city venues, running from June 19 to June 25. The event was presented by the festival’s press service, which highlighted the international reach and the scale of the celebration.
During the festival week, a global audience connected with live performances spanning eight venues, with more than 270,000 attendees enjoying a rich program of music. Several concerts in public spaces, including Zaryadye Park, Muzeon Park, Meydan, VDNKh, and Depo.Moscow near the Central Department Store, were offered free of charge to the public, inviting everyone to experience jazz in an open, festive atmosphere. Across the festival, more than 1,000 artists from countries such as Russia, Thailand, the United States, Indonesia, Turkey, Israel, Cuba, and Brazil presented over 245 performances, delivering a dynamic mix of styles and improvisations that captivated audiences with their creativity and technical mastery.
The Hermitage Garden emerged as the central hub of activity, hosting performances by renowned jazz figures including Igor Butman, Eddie Gomez, Vadim Eilenkrig, and Varvara Ubel. In addition to the international lineup, a number of celebrated Russian vocalists and instrumentalists shared their interpretations of jazz, enriching the festival with familiar faces familiar to local fans. Notable performers included Valery Syutkin, Sergey Mazaev, Mot, Polina Gagarina, and other influential artists who contributed to the festival’s vibrant scene. In a fitting finale, the program culminated with the premiere of Jazz in the First Person, a musical and theatrical collaboration created by Alexei Guskov, Igor Butman, and the Moscow Jazz Orchestra, blending storytelling with live jazz performances to close the event on a high note.
There was also notable news from regional governance during the season. In a related development, the governor of Kaluga explained the rationale behind the postponement of a separate Invasion festival, signaling ongoing planning and coordination across cultural events in the region. [Citation: Moscow Jazz Festival Press Service]