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Mariam Merabova: Jazz doesn’t speak just one language

Mariam Merabova: Jazz doesn’t speak just one language

Mariam Merabova and the MIRAIF project will close the second day of the festival. At a KJP news conference the musicians discussed the Russian language in jazz and the secrets of their long-term artistic collaboration. They also told us what they are going to play for their fans.

The project has been around since 1998. What makes it special is that all songs are performed in Russian. “It’s a mistake to think that this kind of music can only be performed in one language. Jazz is a state of mind, rhythm and harmony,” the performer said.  

The group has its own compositions, but the musicians also value the golden legacy of Soviet songs. “These beautiful tunes and lyrics must not disappear,” Mariam Merabova believes.  

Alongside her, Denis Prushinsky has been with the group since the very beginning. He thinks the secret of their long creative alliance lies in the fact that the musicians enjoy spending time together. 

“It matters that our world outlook is very close,” he noted. 

Today, the musicians promised to present their best compositions, both their own and world hits in their arrangement. 

The Koktebel Jazz Party international festival is taking place in the artistic village of Koktebel on August 20-22. According to the organizing committee, in order to access the venue guests are required to provide a negative PCR test dated no earlier than August 18, 2021, test of antibodies to COVID-19 S-protein dated no earlier than May 25, 2021, or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. Performers, VIP guests, the festival’s personnel and journalists are also required to provide one of the three documents: a vaccination certificate, test of antibodies or a negative PCR test.

This year, Koktebel Jazz Party performances will be held in a new format: the shows will be filmed. The festival streams can be found on its website and social media accounts. The number of spectators will be limited.

Koktebel Jazz Party was established in 2003 and it was the idea of journalist Dmitry Kiselev. In different years, the festival was attended by jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb (US), winner of a Grammy Award for the best Latin Jazz album Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Cuba), many-time Grammy winner trumpeter Randy Brecker (US), best baritone saxophonist of the last decade Gary Smulyan (US), nu-jazz stars Club Des Belugas (Germany), and one of the most talented representatives of the modern world blues scene, guitarist Selwyn Birchwood (US).

Vladimir Putin was a guest of KJP-2017. The festival is organized by the Krasny Kvadrat (Red Square) media group.

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The KoktebelJazzParty festival is a COVID-free zone. Given the difficult epidemiological situation, the terms of access to the festival may be changed, depending on the epidemiological situation in the region and the recommendations issued by the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor).
All festival participants, guests and spectators must present at least one of the three documents listed below:

  • A negative PCR test performed not earlier than August 18, 2021
  • A certificate showing the presence of antibodies to the S-protein of COVID-19, issued not earlier than May 25, 2021
  • A COVID-19 vaccination certificate

All guests, members of the audience and media representatives must wear masks and gloves at the festival venues.