Post-lockdown Black Sea Jazz Festival to showcase local artists

Support for the local musical scene amid the pandemic will be on the agenda of Black Sea Jazz Festival this summer, with organisers opting to complete their line-up exclusively with Georgian artists.

Designed with an eclectic programme with performers of different genre backgrounds, the 2020 edition will be an "expression of solidarity" for the local scene, Giorgi Kereselidze, Director of Eastern Promotions company organising the festival, told the Georgian Public Broadcaster.

Kereselidze said organisers could have provided private flights to foreign artists - as a way of facilitating their participation when international flights have still not resumed - but a conscious decision had been made to enable the local scene - facing difficulties in the pandemic reality - to fully benefit from the event.

The festival will open on August 21 with pianist Giorgi Mikadze presenting MicroBeatZ, a project that is part of his latest album and follows his collaboration with famed artists on microtonality in jazz a few years ago.

Popular local singer and songwriter Nino Katamadze will bring her band Insight, featuring jazz pianist Papuna Sharikadze, to the stage the same day with a project promising a "new sound" for the audience familiar with the act.

The Luka Topuria Trio of young performers, followed by local pop artist Stephane with his band - also bringing a programme prepared particularly for the festival - will be on the line-up on the second day of the event.

The festival will conclude on August 23 with performances by Young Georgian Lolitaz and MokuMoku, the latter with their new track and novel production.

Batumi Tennis Club, the customary location for the seaside jazz celebration, will host the festival, with governmental regulations on cultural events amid the pandemic in force.