From July 2 to 5, the 25th edition of the international improvisation, jazz, and global music festival Rīgas Ritmi took place in Riga, delivering a series of emotionally rich moments both in the Riga Cathedral Garden and on the Riga Jazz Lounge stage at the Radisson Blu Latvija hotel.
The festival opened on July 2 at the Riga Jazz Lounge with a tribute concert dedicated to the late bassist Ivars Galenieks and his record Trans-Siberian Express, released 40 years ago. Festival artistic director Māris Briežkalns, who played drums on the original recording, also performed at the concert. A highlight of the evening was the unique collaboration of three generations of bassists – Viktors Avdjukēvičs, Andris Grunte, and Jānis Rubiks – performing together in the piece Bassita.
July 3 in the Riga Cathedral Garden was devoted to American gospel and soul music. A standout performance came from the Riga Cathedral Choir School Gospel Choir, which had just won the gospel category Grand Prix at the European Choir Games in Denmark. Led by Una Stade, their spiritually charged performance deeply moved the audience, with Eduards Rediko delivering a powerful solo. Rediko and fellow performer Patriks Tabaks returned with another performance the following day at the Riga Jazz Lounge.
On July 3, the American soul and funk ensemble Kennedy Administration, led by the dynamic Ms Kennedy, brought New York groove to Riga as well. The concert gained extra energy as the gospel choir transformed into a dancing and singing crowd of fans, turning the night into an unforgettable experience for both performers and audience.
The festival’s central event on July 4 was the performance by American vocalist Shayna Steele with Kremerata Baltica and a group from the Latvian Radio Big Band, premiering a specially arranged program of music by Maestro Raimonds Pauls. This was not a simple “best of” selection, but a forward-looking, stylistically unified program that will next appear on January 24, 2026, at VEF Culture Palace. In the finest traditions of the American Songbook, Shayna Steele delivered newly written English lyrics and concluded with an emotionally charged English rendition of Mēmā dziesma (The Silent Song), accompanied by Maestro Pauls at the piano.
Before the Pauls premiere, the Riga Cathedral Garden welcomed Momi Maiga, a rising star in global music and master of the West African kora. With his international band, he offered a powerful fusion of West African and Southern European sounds. The concert climaxed with Mansani, a flamenco-inspired track from his debut album Nio, showcasing Maiga’s fiery virtuosity on the kora.
On July 3, the Riga Jazz Lounge stage hosted a vibrant blend of Latin American and Latvian musicians, including performances of original songs by Rodrigo Manfrinatti, a Brazilian singer-songwriter based in Latvia.
The festival concluded on July 5 with a heartfelt performance by Elly Bert, a 14-year-old Latvian singer embarking on her own journey as a popmusic artist and composer. This appearance marked her debut as a jazz vocalist, impressing the audience with a confident voice and natural charisma. Her renditions of songs by Ray Charles and Nina Simone stood out, with the most emotional moment arriving when she dedicated her concert to her recently deceased grandmother.
“I can confidently say the festival’s anniversary was celebrated with honor”, said artistic director of the festival Māris Briežkalns. “Moments like the collaboration between Maestro Pauls and Shayna Steele, or the brilliant performance by Latvian gospel choir, reinforce why this festival tradition must continue – it helps people forget life’s hardships and celebrate joy and music”.
The next Rīgas Ritmi Festival will be held July 1–4, 2026. This autumn, the Art of Riga Jazz concert series will continue at the Latvian Radio Studio 1. On November 8 a five-time Grammy winner, British pianist and composer Bill Laurance will perform with his trio, on November 15 – French trombonist and synth-experimenter Robinson Khoury with his trio, and on December 13 – multitalented British jazz singer Emma Smith with her band.
Tickets available now at bilesuparadize.lv
Links
Festival website: http://www.rigasritmi.lv
Festival photo gallery on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rigas_ritmi_festival/
