Tbilisi Jazz Series: World renowned artists perform in Georgia

International jazz legend Ramsey Lewis will headline this year's annual Jazz Series, starting next week in Georgia's capital Tbilisi.

Lewis and other globally acclaimed artists and bands will showcase their skills in four evenings spanning three months.

The famous pianist and composer will open the musical celebrations at the Tbilisi Event Hall on Monday, February 8. The three-time Grammy Award winner’s performance will mark the 60th anniversary of his first full album Ramsey Lewis and his Gentle-men of Swing, recorded in 1956.

See pianist Ramsey Lewis perform at Chicago's Daley Plaza in 2015 below:

The American artist's discography featured more than 80 albums, and during his career he has garnered praise from music critics for his style of performances.

What distinguishes Mr. Lewis from most jazz pianists is his seductive use of dynamics paired with a gospel-rooted rhythmic pulse," said The Wall Street Journal reviewer Marc Myers about the celebrated artist.

Lewis' opening evening of the Tbilisi Jazz Series will be followed by a duo performance of Norwegian pianist Bugge Wesseltoft and German drummer and DJ Christian Prommer on March 9.

Norwegian pianist Bugge Wesseltof (L) and German drummer and DJ Christian Prommer will take to the Tbilisi Event Hall stage on March 9. Photo by Tbilisi Jazz Festival.

The two artists' fusion of jazz and techno will offer a fresh musical experience to an audience more used to classical performances.

On April 2 American trumpeter Roy Hargrove will visit Georgia's capital with his quintet, which toured Georgia’s seaside city Batumi during the 2010 Black Sea Jazz Festival.

Also a Grammy winner, Hargrove played with worldwide jazz legend Herbie Hancock and was recognised by jazz review website www.allaboutjazz.com for having recorded some of the "most exceptional small-group recordings in recent memory".

The final performance in the Tbilisi Jazz Series by Latin jazz band Volcan will coincide with International Jazz Day on April 30.

See pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba perform at the 2015 Continental Latin Jazz Festival below:

Described by organisers of the Dutch North Sea Jazz Festival as "pioneers" of the genre, Volcan will bring together pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo, drummer Horacio Hernandez and bassist Jose Armando Gola.

Some of Georgia’s leading jazz names will warm up the audience before Volcan hits the stage to round off the Tbilisi Jazz Series.

The annual event served to entertain jazz enthusiasts in the months before the Tbilisi and Black Sea Jazz festivals that take place each year in late summer and autumn.

The Tbilisi Jazz Series was first held in the capital in 2011.