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Branford Marsalis is a three-time Grammy award-winning saxophonist, band leader, featured classical soloist, and a film and Broadway composer returns to Riga, Latvia on November 9, 2024, marking his first visit since 2007.
The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986, has established a rare breadth of stylistic range and is revered for its uncompromising interpretation of both original compositions and jazz and popular classics.
But Branford has not confined his music to the jazz quartet context. He is a frequent soloist with classical ensembles and his legendary guest performances with the Grateful Dead and collaborations with Sting have made him a fan favorite in the pop arena. Branford’s film credits include the recent Netflix film Rustin starring Chadwick Boseman, and his work on Broadway has garnered a Drama Desk Award and Tony nominations. He also recently received an EMMY nomination for best original score in a documentary.
Each of the Latvian Radio Big Band performances is like an energy exchange between the musicians and the audience. Today the collective is an integral part of the Latvian culture scene and they are preparing new and interesting projects under the leadership of artistic director Kārlis Vanags.
Latvian Radio Big Band has performed with such musical stars as James Morrison, Seamus Blake, Randy Brecker, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Marius Neset, Allan Harris, Jojo Mayer, Richard Bona, Michael Pipoquinha, Ruthie Foster, Diane Schuur, and many others.
As a part of the Latvian centenary celebrations, the Latvian Radio Big Band was welcomed with sold-out venues standing ovations in two prestigious American concert halls - in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and in the Lincoln Center in New York, also joining Randy Brecker in the Jazz Baltica festival in Germany. Latvian Radio Bigband has released successful music recordings and has been nominated for various awards multiple times.
After four decades in the international spotlight, Branford Marsalis is coming to Riga, Latvia! As the guest of Latvian Radio Big Band, Branford Marsalis will be performing a very special inaugural concert of the Pink Noise Riga music festival!
Pink Noise Riga, a new festival created by music lovers for music lovers, in Riga, the capital of Latvia, will experience its opening performance by Branford Marsalis and Latvian Radio Big band on November 9, 2024.
The line-up of 2025 Pink Noise Riga festival, scheduled for August 2025 will be revealed right after the inaugural concert this November. Get ready to experience some of our favourite saxophonists and instrumentalists, vocalists, bands and combos!
Welcome to Pink Noise Riga, baby!
Cheers,
Aigars Nords, Dāvis Jurka, Aira Leite
