upcoming concerts:
february 19, 2026, 7 pm - American Jazz Night. Maestro’s Jazz Suite @ spikeri concert hall
In honour of Latvia’s legendary pianist and composer Raimonds Pauls’ 90th birthday, Latvian Radio Big Band is launching the 2026 American Jazz Night concert series with an entirely new five-part suite – “Moments” – composed by the Maestro himself. He has long spoken about the influence of the great American jazz pianists and composers on his playing and composition, such as Erroll Garner and Oscar Peterson, which is specifically reflected in the suites he has written.
The concert will feature both music from the new jazz suite “Moments”, as well as pieces from other suites, such as “Southern Watercolours” and “Black Colours”. Before and after the concert, it will be possible to purchase the new record at the recording company’s “Jersika Records” vinyl stand.
“American Jazz Night” at the Spīķeri Concert Hall – a concert series that focuses on the birthplace of jazz, the USA, highlighting legends of jazz music, especially big band music.
The concert will feature both music from the new jazz suite “Moments”, as well as pieces from other suites, such as “Southern Watercolours” and “Black Colours”. Before and after the concert, it will be possible to purchase the new record at the recording company’s “Jersika Records” vinyl stand.
“American Jazz Night” at the Spīķeri Concert Hall – a concert series that focuses on the birthplace of jazz, the USA, highlighting legends of jazz music, especially big band music.
march 6, 2026, 7 pm - Latvian Radio Big Band | jazz ensamble “LUPA” | Karlis Vanags | Paula Saija @ riga congress hall
A celebration of contemporary Latvian jazz will take the main stage at the Riga Congress Centre, where the Latvian Radio Big Band will join forces with the modern jazz ensemble “LUPA”. This two-part concert invites listeners on a journey through fresh musical currents, bold sonic textures and the creative energy that’s shaping today’s jazz scene.
I
The evening will open with the world premiere of “The Seventh Sense”, a selection of new works by Kārlis Vanags, the Latvian Radio Big Band’s musical director, composer, arranger, and saxophonist. Inspired by the mysterious power of intuition and the undiscovered potential of the human mind, the programme reflects on that inner voice we sense but often overlook in the bustle of everyday life. Derived from the Latin intueri (“to look within”), intuition draws from our experiences, knowledge, and the subconscious, processing and guiding us in a split second. While the conscious mind hesitates, calculates, and doubts, intuition often reveals the truest answer. “The Seventh Sense” asks – do we listen, do we acknowledge? Can empathy be cultivated? These ideas unfold through the vivid interplay, colours, and textures of the big band’s instruments.
This concert also marks the release of the programme’s new recording under the recording label “Jersika Records”, and it will be available for purchase before and after the performance.
II
In the second half, the big band will be joined by the cutting-edge jazz fusion group “LUPA” for a modern fusion experience. The program will feature brand-new works and big band arrangements by “LUPA’s” keyboardist Ritvars Garoza, alongside special big band versions of the group’s most beloved pieces. The evening’s special guest is acclaimed vocalist Paula Saija.
Founded in 2016, LUPA bridges instrumental jazz, analogue electronics, and contemporary fusion. The group brings together four of Latvia’s most innovative musicians: Dāvis Jurka – alto saxophone, “Erica Synths” effects; Ritvars Garoza – synthesisers, “Fender Rhodes”; Valters Sprūdžs – bass guitar; Andris Buiķis – drums, “Tempest” analogue drum machine.
tickets
I
The evening will open with the world premiere of “The Seventh Sense”, a selection of new works by Kārlis Vanags, the Latvian Radio Big Band’s musical director, composer, arranger, and saxophonist. Inspired by the mysterious power of intuition and the undiscovered potential of the human mind, the programme reflects on that inner voice we sense but often overlook in the bustle of everyday life. Derived from the Latin intueri (“to look within”), intuition draws from our experiences, knowledge, and the subconscious, processing and guiding us in a split second. While the conscious mind hesitates, calculates, and doubts, intuition often reveals the truest answer. “The Seventh Sense” asks – do we listen, do we acknowledge? Can empathy be cultivated? These ideas unfold through the vivid interplay, colours, and textures of the big band’s instruments.
This concert also marks the release of the programme’s new recording under the recording label “Jersika Records”, and it will be available for purchase before and after the performance.
II
In the second half, the big band will be joined by the cutting-edge jazz fusion group “LUPA” for a modern fusion experience. The program will feature brand-new works and big band arrangements by “LUPA’s” keyboardist Ritvars Garoza, alongside special big band versions of the group’s most beloved pieces. The evening’s special guest is acclaimed vocalist Paula Saija.
Founded in 2016, LUPA bridges instrumental jazz, analogue electronics, and contemporary fusion. The group brings together four of Latvia’s most innovative musicians: Dāvis Jurka – alto saxophone, “Erica Synths” effects; Ritvars Garoza – synthesisers, “Fender Rhodes”; Valters Sprūdžs – bass guitar; Andris Buiķis – drums, “Tempest” analogue drum machine.
tickets
