A Brief Guide To Ukrainian Jazz: Part 2

The second installment of A Brief Guide To Ukrainian Jazz—a series developed with the cooperation of the Ukrainian Institute—introduces five more highly talented jazz artists/groups from Ukraine. In addition, we profile the jazz festivals and jazz clubs that are keeping the Ukrainian jazz flame burning brightly in these most difficult of times.

Pokaz Trio

Pokaz Trio takes its name from pianist and composer Andrew Pokaz, who founded the trio in Odesa in 2016. Its debut album, Kintsugi (Losen Records, 2019) announced a jazz trio inspired equally by Slavic folk, classical and electronics. Bound by melodicism and guided by strong rhythmic currents, the stirring improvisational interplay of Pokaz, electric bassist Vitaly Fesenko and drummer Yakuv Taruntsov caught international jazz critics' ears, with AAJ's Friedrich Kunzmann describing the album as "a gripping ride..." with "many exciting musical ideas."

Early in 2024, Pokaz Trio released its much-anticipated follow-up, Voices on the Berlin label XJazz! Music, with a new line-up—Alexi Poliakov and Eugene Myrmyr taking over drums and bass respectively. It is no coincidence that the spirit of Esbjorn Svensson is occasionally reflected in the music; Pokaz acknowledges that it was Svensson who inspired him to write original music, and indeed, the album's opening track, "Intro (taken by the sea)" is dedicated to the influential Swedish pianist.

"Leaving Home" encapsulates all the dynamism of this exciting trio. Simmering bass and cantering drums provide the bedrock for Andrew Pokaz's luminescent, thrilling play. Myrmyr's bright solo in the midsection—over a sustained piano ostinato—offers a lyrical interlude. Bassist—and trio—ratchet up the intensity until Poliakov steps up to unleash his own fireworks, the trio uniting on the outro. Esbjorn Svensson, you feel, would have loved this.

Danil Zverkhanovsky

Danil Zverkhanovsky could have been a painter, or then again he might have been a rock musician—he has turned his hand to both. But in the end, Kyiv-born Zverkhanovsky followed the siren of jazz guitar. Studies in Graz under trumpeter Stjepko Gut and later in Berlin with Kurt Rosenwinkel were formative, not least for the musicians that Zverkhanovsky came into contact with during these sojourns.

In 2011, at the age of 17, Zverkhanovsky began composing music, which over the course of the next decade would see the light of day as three EPS. In 2023, the guitarist released these combined works as the fittingly titled Work In Progress on his own Dnipro & Kruchi label. In his review for All About Jazz Hrayr Attarian praised the album as "an original and elegant opus ... simultaneously raw and sophisticated." It is a varied set, compositionally and mood-wise. The music touches on post-bop and the blues, also embracing more modern-leaning terrain epitomized by "Lady G," where Zverkhanovsky really struts his stuff.

From Work In Progress, "Postmodern Serenade" offers a taster of Zverkhanovsky's modern jazz aesthetic. The guitarist's solo is an attractive mélange of economy, refinement and vitality. The horns arrangements here—and throughout the album—for trumpeter Dima Bondarev and Icelandic saxophonist Sölvi Kolbeinsson speak to Zverkhanovsky's skills as a composer and band leader. Drummer Jesus Vega and bassist Igor Osypov make for a potent rhythm section.

Usein Bekirov

Best known as a jazz-fusion, ethno-jazz keyboardist, Usein Bekirov deserves the title of multi-instrumentalist as he has also tamed the violin. Bekirov's family migrated from Uzbekistan to their ancestral homeland of Crimea, Ukraine, in the early '90s. Bekirov's compositions reflect his Crimean Tatar musical roots, as well as the music of Ukraine, Azerbaijan and the Balkans.

His debut album, Taterrium (2016) was over a decade in the making and sees Bekirov framing Tatar folk music in jazz arrangements. His original compositions steer a melodious jazz-funk, ethno-jazz course, including a homage to Joe Zawinul—a clear influence. This album is also a good entrée to the Ukrainian jazz panorama, featuring as it does around 20 Ukrainian musicians.

Fast-forward to 2023 and Bekirov's album Sato (TLSG Digital)—named for the first Crimean Tatar jazz band (sato is a bowed tanbur), in which his father Riza played. Once again Bekirov lines up his jazz prism and deep dives into Crimean Tatar folk music. This time around, however, he corrals an all-star line-up: Randy Brecker; Ada Rovatti; James Genus; Mike Stern; Dennis Chambers; Hadrien Feraud; and Turkish fretless guitarist Cenk Erdoğan. The title track is a prime example of Bekirov's musical language and features fired-up solos from Rovatti on soprano saxophone, Bekirov and Brecker.

Tamara Lukasheva

Odesa-born, Cologne-based singer/pianist and composer Tamara Lukasheva's recorded debut, Matria (Unit Records, 2015), a duo with multi-instrumentalist Matthias Schriefl, announced the arrival to the wider world of a wonderful voice and a strikingly original artist. With Schriefl toggling between trumpet, flugelhorn, euphonium, Alpine horn, tuba and occasional vocals, their jazz-filtered marriage of German and Ukrainian folk cast a bewitching spell. Gorgeous harmonies, jazz yodel (yep, better believe it!), scatting, emotive balladry and idiosyncratic yet compelling interplay made for a stunning collaboration, one that continues to this day.

A most versatile artist, Lukasheva's impressive three-octave range can be heard in solo, small ensemble and big-band/orchestral settings (check out Anima Tangible Music, 2024, her remarkable collaboration with the 45-piece INSL Lviv Orchestra). Lukasheva feeds on multiple sources of inspiration, but Ukrainian folk and jazz/improvisation are never far from the surface.

One of Lukasheva's primary vehicles is her quartet, whose music is as notable for its originality as it is for its brilliance. From Homebridge (Traumton Records, 2019), we offer the dynamic "Night and the Moon"—think Björk-meets-Neil Cowley Trio at its most visceral, and you are somewhere in the ballpark. Sebastian Scobel on piano, Jakob Kühnemann on double bass, and Dominik Mahnig on drums provide the considerable rhythmic drive, while Lukasheva delivers a powerhouse vocal performance. A true original.

Roksana Smirnova & Misha Kalinin

United in life and in music, pianist Roksana Smirnova and guitarist Misha Kalinin are multifaceted artists. Both lead their respective contemporary jazz trios but are equally versed in classical music (Smirnova graduated in Odesa in both jazz and classical piano studies). Together they co-lead a quartet fired by their love of pop, rock and blues. As a duo, Smirnova and Kalinin play real-time soundtracks for silent films, touring internationally after Russia's full-scale invasion to accompany the silent film In Spring, Mikhail Kauffman's 1929 homage to Kyiv.

In 2020 Smirnova and Kalinin released the duo album Whispers (Global Sonics), a genre-elusive collaboration of ambient textures, impressionism, subtle rhythms and improvisation. There are shades of Robert Fripp's and Brian Eno's dreamy ambient adventures of the mid-70s, and of minimalism, but the music, you suspect, is really the soundtrack to an ideal world of serenity, wonder and ineffable beauty.

Where To Hear Jazz In Ukraine: Jazz Festivals

The COVID pandemic and the war with Russia has had a severe impact on the live jazz scene in Ukraine. Some festivals, such as Odesa Jazz Fest, the progressive Am I Jazz? and Vinnytsia JazzFest have either gone into hibernation or have disappeared altogether. Others have somehow managed to carry on. The following is a list of those festivals active/planning to reactivate.

Jazz On The Dnieper

The first edition of Jazz On The Dnieper was held in Dnipro in 1968. The festival has had a checkered history, being more off than on in the following decades, and with a long hiatus in the '90s. Since 2016 the rebranded international festival has taken place over several days in the summer. Under the artistic direction of Anna Russkevych the festival has attracted artists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jacky Terrasson, Richard Bona, Joey DeFrancesco, and Dado Moroni. Outdoors, sunny, fun-filled atmosphere.

Jazz Bez

Few jazz festivals anywhere in the world straddle two countries; Jazz Bez breaks the usual mould, Since 2001, Jazz Bez has been held in both Ukraine and Poland, the principal host cities being Lviv and Przemyśl. In fact, around 20 towns and cities on both sides of the border usually participate. All styles and periods of jazz feature. Alongside top Ukrainian and Polish jazz artists, groups hail from every corner of Europe. Illustrious American names such as Greg Osby, Dayna Stephens and Logan Richardson have topped previous billings of this sprawling 10-day festival that runs in the first half of December each year.

Leopolis Jazz Festival

Leopolis Jazz Festival, (formerly known as the Alpha Jazz Fest), is held in downtown Lviv over three days in June. Founded in 2011, the festival attracts 40,000 attendees each day to three different stages. Two of the stages in the historic center are free to the public. The concerts on the main stage, in Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Culture Park (capacity 3,200), are ticketed events.

When All About Jazz covered the festival in 2017, artists included Herbie Hancock, Avishai Cohen with the 60-piece INSO Lviv Orchestra, Chick Corea Elektric Band, Chucho Valdes , Paolo Fresu & Richard Galliano, Ilhan Ersahin, and Kompost 3. In his informative and perceptive review Thomas Conrad highlighted the performances of six-piece a cappella band ManSound (formed in Kyiv in 1994), and that of guitarist Igor Osypov.

Jam sessions, and master classes run throughout the three days, and perhaps uniquely, the festival offers dedicated autograph sessions.

Koktobel Jazz Fest

Koktobel Jazz Fest, which markets itself as a jazz and world music festival, has been running since 2003. The festival switched its home from Koktobel—a resort town by the Black Sea on the Crimean peninsula—following Russia's invasion and annexation in 2014. Its new home is the beach resort town of Zatoka in the Odesa Oblast province of southwestern Ukraine. Zatoka boasts many kilometers of pristine, white-sand beaches. Evening concerts are held in the spacious grounds of the 13th-century Akkerman Fortress, some 15 kilometers away.

Held over a week in the second half of September, the festival's free stages has hosted Archie Shepp, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, Georgian singer Billy Cobham, Jerry Bergonzi, Erik Truffaz and legendary Japanese outfit Shibusa Shirazu Orchestra.

Indie/experimental rock, electronic music and folk music, from Goran Bregovic to Us3, and from the Cinematic Orchestra to Tiger Lillies, have also appeared. N.B. Not to be confused with Koktobel Jazz Party, in Russian-annexed Crimea.

Lviv Jazz Days

Held over several days at the end of April—coinciding with UNESCO World Jazz Day—and the beginning of May, Lviv Jazz Days was founded in 2018 as an international festival, but with the aim of promoting Ukrainian jazz. Gala concerts are held in Lviv National Philharmonic Hall. Other venues include Lviv National Music Academy and Lviv Officers House. Jam sessions take place in the Dzyga Arts Centre.

Jazz Kolo

Founded by bassist/composer Igor Zakus in 2007, Jazz Kolo ran two editions of a two-day festival before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. But more than a festival, Jazz Kolo is an ongoing project that began life as a monthly concert series in Kyiv and beyond to promote Ukrainian jazz and improvised music. After 50 such events the series took on an international character, with musicians invited from abroad. All the concerts have been recorded on audio and video, with both CD and DVD releases, thus creating a significant national archive.

Other festivals worth checking out

Odesa JazzFest: an international festival held over three days towards the end of September.

Art Jazz: a two-day celebration of jazz and art (improvisational drawing, exhibitions, photography, etc.) held in a theatre in Rivne.

Where To Hear Jazz In Ukraine: Jazz Clubs

32JazzClub, Kyiv

One of the best-known jazz clubs in the country, 32JazzClub opened its doors in 2017. Ukrainian and international jazz gigs run from Wednesday to Sunday. This intimate venue, which boasts a Yamaha grand piano, seats around 50 people and boasts professional sound equipment and soundproofing. The venue is also renowned for its separate cocktail bar, artworks, and the autographs of visiting jazz musicians that adorn the walls.

Barman Dictat, Kyiv

Though by no means exclusively dedicated to jazz, this legendary bar in central Kyiv features regular jazz gigs. Trumpeter Dennis Adu's band has hosted a Sunday jam session for many years. The owners and staff have a reputation for being incredibly supportive of musicians, making rehearsal space available to them during the day.

Art Cafe Nevidomyy Petrovs'kyy, Dnipro

Situated along the river, this bar and budget-restaurant, also known as Art Café Unknown Petrovsky, hosts regular jazz concerts and jam sessions for local musicians.

A handful of other venues are worth checking out if you are in the neighborhood. Some present jazz more frequently than others, so it is always recommended to check their websites/social media beforehand. Venues worth investigating include Jazz Club Rusanivka (Kyiv); Alchemist (Kyiv); Art Club 44 (Kyiv); Perron no7 (Odesa); Pintagon (Kharkiv); Jam Jazz Club (Rivne).

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