Conference Recording

International Academic Conference: "After 20 years. Present and Future of Jazz in Lithuania, Europe and the Global Context"

Free Admission

We invite music educators, jazz professionals, and all fans of the genre to the international scientific conference “ After 20 years. Present and Future of Jazz in Lithuania, Europe and the Global Context” This is a unique platform dedicated to reviewing the evolution of jazz, educational innovations, and outlining future guidelines.

Registration required

Time and Venue

Date: March 3, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Venue: Victoria Hotel, Miško g. 10, Kaunas

Program Highlights

Distinguished jazz performers from Lithuania and abroad (USA, Finland, Estonia, Latvia), researchers, and professionals who have contributed to the spread of technology will share their insights. The event will also feature engaging discussions with Lithuanian jazz festival organizers and musicologists.

Program

9:30	Participant registration and coffee.
9:50	Opening remarks by Vaida Aleknavičienė, Minister of Culture of Lithuania.
10:00	Jazz as a cultural dialogue – is it important to preserve national identity in music? Presentation by Daina Smolskutė Urbanavičienė, Head of the Arts Management Department at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, cultural manager and cultural policy expert.
10:15	Jazz education – how future improvisers are trained in Lithuania. Presentation by Lina Rovaitė, Head of the Jazz and Popular Music Department at Kaunas Juozas Gruodis Conservatory, singing teacher and jazz singer.
10:30	Jazz, technology, and jazz hybrids: from analog sound to artificial intelligence. Presentation by Dalius Nomicas, Director of UAB “Midiaudio” and Lecturer at the Department of Contemporary Arts, Vytautas Magnus University.
10:45	Q&A session with the first session speakers.
11:00	Lithuanian jazz scene: freedom to grow and the repercussions of cultural stagnation. Presentation by Dmitrij Golovanov, Lecturer at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Artistic Director of “Jazz Cellar 11,” President of the Lithuanian Jazz Federation, jazz pianist, composer and educator.
11:15	Latvian jazz scene: freedom to grow and the repercussions of cultural stagnation. Presentation by Maris Briežkalns, Founder of the Rigas Ritmi Festival.
11:30	Estonian jazz scene: freedom to grow and the repercussions of cultural stagnation. Presentation by Kirke Karja, Chair of the Estonian Jazz Union, pianist and composer.
11:45	Jazz in Europe: now and tomorrow. Presentation by Minnakaisa Kuivalainen, Executive Director of Tampere Music Festivals.
12:05	A perspective on the state of jazz in the United States. Presentation by Georgina Javor, Vice President of Concerts & Touring at “Jazz at Lincoln Center,” producer, programmer and arts administrator.
12:25	Q&A session with the second session speakers.
12:45	Lunch break.
13:45	Discussion “Lithuanian jazz festivals: organizational challenges and solutions.” Participants: Vytenis Čimielius, Artistic Program Manager of the Kaunas Jazz Festival; Inga Grubliauskienė, Director of the Klaipėda Castle Jazz Festival; Zigmas Vileikis, Organizer of Birštonas Jazz Festival.
14:15	Q&A session with the discussion participants.
14:30	Discussion “Lithuanian jazz locally and globally – future prospects.” Participants: Ieva Pakalniškytė, music critic, jazz researcher and culture communication expert; Mykolas Bazaras, DA, Associate Professor at Kaunas University of Technology, musician and music critic; Rasa Murauskaitė-Juškienė, doctoral student at the University of Cambridge, Senior Editor at LRT KLASIKA Radio and music critic.
15:00	Q&A session with the discussion participants.
15:15	Summary and closing remarks by Jonas Jučas, Founder of the Kaunas Jazz Festival.