VENTSPILS GROOVE 2025. Ventspils Big Band
All Stars Originals – A Summer Jazz Evening with Ventspils Big Band
Participants and visitors of the Ventspils Groove festival are invited to enjoy a summery jazz program in the Small Hall of the concert hall “Latvija”, performed by the Ventspils Big Band under the direction of Renārs Lācis.
The concert All Stars Originals will feature a special program that reflects the spirit, collaboration, and creative development of Ventspils Music Secondary School and the city’s cultural scene. The program includes original compositions by Toms Rudzinskis, Kārlis Vanags, Anna Vibes Gorkuša, Kristers Lauriņš, Patrīcija Anna Doniņa, and Denisa Dārzniece—music characterized by expressive melodicism, the rhythmic language of swing and groove, and a spirit of creative openness. The program will also feature original works by Ritvars Garoza and Arta Jēkabsone.
A special focus will be given to instrumental solo performances, while the concert's vocal highlights will feature the talented singers – Rebeka Rēķe, Gerda Timrota, Denisa Dārzniece, Sabīne Mustermane and Ance Jankovska.
VENTSPILS GROOVE CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY THIS AUGUST
From August 24 to 30, Ventspils Music Secondary School, in collaboration with “Kurzemes Filharmonija” Ltd., will host the Ventspils Groove International Contemporary Rhythm Music Festival. The festival brings together students, graduates, educators, and music enthusiasts from various music education institutions, while offering the public a chance to enjoy high-quality free concerts and spontaneous jam sessions in the concert hall “Latvija” and across Ventspils.
Now in its 20th year, Ventspils Groove has become a space where experience meets creativity, technical skill merges with improvisation, and structure coexists with the freedom of musical expression. The festival features an intensive educational and creative process: participants take part in professional masterclasses, perform in public concerts, and engage in free-form jam sessions. Young musicians, guided by experienced mentors, work both individually and in ensembles to develop their skills and co-create the final concert program.
Festival Schedule
Sunday, August 24 at 19:00
Festival Opening / near the concert hall “Latvija”
Tuesday, August 26 at 19:00
Jam Session with Masterclass Leaders / “Meisons Ventspils” Restaurant (Skolas iela 6)
Wednesday, August 27 at 19:00
Ventspils Big Band Concert “All Stars Originals” / Small Hall, the concert hall “Latvija”
Thursday, August 28 at 19:00
Concert “Holding On to Summer” / Café “VIETA, KUR būt” (Ventspils Beach, near walkway No. 5)
Friday, August 29 at 19:00
Masterclass Leaders’ Concert / Amphitheatre, the concert hall “Latvija”
Friday, August 29 at 21:00
Groove Jam Session with Patrīcija Anna Doniņa Quartet / “Meisons Ventspils” Restaurant (Skolas iela 6)
Saturday, August 30 at 15:00
Masterclass Participants’ Final Concert / Amphitheatre, the concert hall “Latvija”
Please note that photography and video recording may take place during the events. The materials will be used for promotional purposes in the media, and on the websites and social media channels of Ventspils Music Secondary School, Ventspils Groove, and the concert hall “Latvija”.