The first and only jazz philharmonic society (St. Petersburg) has been around for almost 30 years. Over the years, many unusual projects have been implemented here. Several generations of listeners have already grown up who cannot imagine the musical life of St. Petersburg without this stylish and comfortable establishment.
History of creation
In 1989, the first Russian jazz philharmonic society was opened (St. Petersburg). Her appearance was the result of a long fascination with David Goloshchekin jazz music. A large circle of like-minded world-class musicians formed around him, and they needed a platform for creativity. Goloshchekin hatched the idea and "punch" for more than one year, he spent a lot of resources to create such a unique "center of culture" in St. Petersburg. The creation of the Philharmonic Society was also aimed at popularizing jazz and making the masses aware that jazz is serious music. Here you can always hear the best performers of different directions of jazz. Gradually, the jazz philharmonic society has turned into a kind of club where connoisseurs of this special music gather. David Goloshchekin implements on the basis of this institution many creative projects that significantly enrich the cultural life of the Northern capital. Today, the Philharmonic Society is part of a small circle of the best jazz associations in the world, and the biggest jazz stars consider it an honor to play here.
David Goloshchekin - founder of the Philharmonic
The world of Russian jazz is impossible to imagine without a unique musician, multi-instrumentalist David Goloshchekin. He became interested in jazz as early as 15 years old, while studying at a music school at the Leningrad Conservatory, he became close to the circle of St. Petersburg jazz musicians. And already at the age of 17 he began to work in a tour association. In his creative biography was a lot of interesting and unique. He worked in the famous orchestras of Yu. Vikharev, E. Rosner and I. Weinstein. Goloshchekin speaks piano, violin, viola, cello, saxophone and flugelhorn. In 1968, he created the jazz music ensemble, in which he still works. With the collective, the musician traveled the whole world. He had a chance to perform with Duke Ellington, Winton Marsales, Dizzy Gillespie, Pacito D'Rivera, Eddie Gomez and many other famous jazzmen. In 1989, thanks to the efforts of Goloshchekin, a jazz philharmonic society (St. Petersburg) appeared, a unique place that is considered one of a number of elite venues in the world. Today, the Philharmonic has become the main venue for performances of the jazz music ensemble, as well as a venue for the implementation of a large number of jazzman's creative projects.
Collective
The Philharmonic of jazz music was created as a unity of like-minded people. The core of the collective was composed by musicians of the Jazz Ensemble and maestro D. Goloshchekin himself. The soloist of this group, Elvira Trafova, also acts as an independent creative unit. She has been working in the Goloshchekin team for many years, and also has her own team, which includes pianist Pyotr Kornev, saxophonist Kirill Bubyakin, Victor Shcherbin (Kong) and Stanislav Streltsov (drums). Each of these musicians also has their own musical projects and teams. Also, the jazz philharmonic is a "native" venue for such famous Russian jazzmen as Hasan Bagirov, G. Holstein and his "Saxophones of St. Petersburg", Mikhail Kostyushkin, Vladimir Lytkin, Andrey Ryabov, the Square jazz club, as well as many young musicians.
Poster
The repertoire of the jazz philharmonic is composed in such a way that listeners can remember the classics, as well as get acquainted with new works and performers. The poster includes concerts by groups and performers of the “residents” of the Philharmonic, as well as a large tour program. For the listeners, various combinations of musicians are of great interest, which allows you to get a new reading and sound of classic jazz pieces. New programs are constantly appearing on the poster, created by the birthdays of the greatest jazz musicians, thematic programs. There are almost no repetitions in the philharmonic's repertoire, this allows you to listen to a variety of live jazz every day. Concerts always carry a touch of improvisation, without which this music is impossible.
Philharmonic Hall
In the jazz philharmonic located at: St. Petersburg, Zagorodny pr., 27, unique conditions are created for listening to this unusual music. Initially, D. Goloshchekin wanted to create a club of like-minded people, where listeners feel like participants in a stage performance. There are two halls in the institution: the large Jazz Philharmonic Hall and the small Ellington Hall. The large jazz philharmonic hall has a capacity of 180 seats. Students are seated at cozy tables, they can order drinks and snacks at the bar, and there is a dance floor in the hall. But the atmosphere here is not a restaurant, but a club one. The Philharmonic creates a special, emotional atmosphere in which people relax while listening to good music. Concert programs consist of two to three sections. Ellington Hall is designed for 45 people, this is a chamber room where spectators are placed on sofas or at tables. There is also an exposition of objects from the history of jazz. The small size of the hall creates a special atmosphere, chamber sound of music and close communication with jazz musicians - this is an indescribable intimate sensation, which is enhanced by high-quality music.
Tour program
The St. Petersburg Philharmonic of jazz music was created by David Goloshchekin to a large extent so that there was a platform for inviting worthy musicians. Over the nearly 30-year history of the existence of the hall, almost all world jazz celebrities were able to perform here. In addition to classical jazzmen, Goloshchekin often arranges various surprises for listeners. For example, he can invite Vyacheslav Polunin with his “Lyceums” to speak with the Leningrad Dixieland. Also, David Semenovich is constantly expanding the horizons of the St. Petersburg public, inviting the latest teams from different countries: Cuba, Spain, Latvia, the USA, Israel. Also, maestro Goloshchekin is constantly looking for young talents in Russia, who also provides the opportunity to perform on the stage of the philharmonic.
Projects
Throughout the years of its existence, the St. Petersburg Jazz Philharmonic has been implementing several global musical projects. These include: the Autumn Marathon competition for young jazz performers, the Jazz for Children educational program and the White Night Swing Jazz Festival, and the New Year Jazz Festival. All these projects are aimed at promoting jazz in Russia, at the formation of jazz culture among the younger generation. The project "Jazz for Children" was the first in the history of the Philharmonic. As part of it, special programs are held twice a month for children, where they get acquainted with the styles and trends of jazz, learn the history and sound of various musical instruments, listen to classical jazz pieces. The best and oldest jazz groups and musicians of St. Petersburg take part in the concerts. In addition to permanent, multi-year projects, the Philharmonic holds numerous diverse events and events.
"Autumn marathon"
For over 20 years, the David Goloshchekin Jazz Philharmonic Society annually holds a competition for young jazz musicians. The purpose of the event is to find and support beginner jazzmen. The competition is held in two rounds, the jury is represented by the most famous representatives of jazz in St. Petersburg. The winner will receive a reward - the opportunity to perform on the stage of the philharmonic every month for a whole year, as well as take part in the jazz music festival. The competition features a friendly, almost family atmosphere. The jury members not only evaluate the performers, but also give them advice, and sometimes they themselves are involved in the process of making music. Among the laureates of the competition there are a lot of well-known and even famous jazzmen today, among them Hasan Bagirov, Kirill Bubyakin, Victoria Urusova, Maxim Nekrasov. Many of them have already become familiar “residents” of the Philharmonic.
“White Night Swing”
For more than 20 years in a row in June, the Jazz Philharmonic holds a unique jazz festival. This platform brings together not only many listeners and lovers of jazz, but also musicians from around the world. They consider it an honor to speak at this event. The festival program always has the performance of classical jazz standards and new, original compositions. Within the framework of the festival, jazzmen, well-known to David Goloshchekin, always perform in Petersburg. The maestro always prepares some surprises for the public: these can be unique guest performers, unusual guests and vibrant jam sessions. Most of the program consists of performances by young performers, so for the audience the festival is an opportunity to learn new names in the world of jazz.
Listeners reviews
For many years, the jazz philharmonic society, reviews of which are full of the most enthusiastic epithets, works for the pleasure and enlightenment of its listeners. In the responses of visitors to the Philharmonic, a special atmosphere of this place is always noted. The listener here is not just a guest, but an “accomplice” of the musical action; he feels himself involved in the elite circle of Petersburg jazzmen. The philharmonic society has a large circle of regular visitors who no longer just enjoy jazz, but are well versed in it and feel all the nuances of the performance. If you want to plunge into this indescribable atmosphere, come to the address: St. Petersburg, prospect. Zagorodny, d. 27.