Jūlija Zakirova – vocals
Edīte Štrausa – back vocals
Marta Zūdiņa – back vocals
Anna Wibe – keys
ArtjomS Sarvi – keys
Denis Dyakon – bass
Andris Buiķis – drums

Event is free of charge

“Golden Hour” – the final hour before sunset, when soft rays illuminate everything around and the world seems to take on magical colors. This is precisely the name of the project, Golden Hour, which one of Latvia’s most original and active jazz singers, Julija Zakirova, will present on the Kaunas Jazz stage. And it’s very symbolic—outdoors, her septet will perform during that final, “golden” hour of daylight (if you don’t believe us, check the calendars or online apps).

We’ve met Latvian jazz on the Kaunas Jazz program several times, and each encounter has been full of delightful moments. Just remember the group Very Cool People, who thrilled the outdoor stage three years ago and gained many new fans that evening (Julija has collaborated with them as well).

Her own path on the Latvian jazz scene has been vivid and visible for nearly two decades. Starting her career at just sixteen, the singer and composer won the Grand Prize at the international Sony Jazz Stage competition, studied at Dublin’s New Park Music School, and after returning from Ireland, completed her studies at the Latvian Academy of Music.

She has recorded music with many well-known artists, including a CD with Latvia’s most famous composer Raimonds Pauls, as well as Jānis Stībelis, Deniss Paškevičs, Intars Busulis, and other Latvian musicians across genres.

After finishing her studies, Julija immersed herself in teaching, creative work, and performing. She sings with orchestras and ensembles of various sizes, appearing at numerous festivals, including Kaunas Jazz, Pori Jazz (Finland), Rīgas Ritmi, Jazz Joy Spring (Latvia), Jazzkaar, Jazz Time Fest (Estonia), and others.

Notably, three years ago she appeared in Kaunas as a special guest with the Kaunas Big Band for a concert commemorating the Baltic Way anniversary.

Her heart project is the debut album Golden Hour, released in 2024. The album features ten compositions blending funk, jazz, fusion, and music reminiscent of cinematic atmospheres. Upon its release, critics praised it as fresh-sounding, musically rich, and full of discovery and harmony.

The album was launched with a concert in Riga, and since then, the Golden Hour program has traveled across various venues and festivals. Now it’s time for Kaunas to experience it.

“For me, the golden hour is a time when the soul feels calm and well. Like meditation on a sunny summer evening, inviting the listener into a sincere musical dialogue. Music that heals, fills, and gives a new beginning and impulse,” says Julija, presenting her album with six outstanding Latvian musicians. This is an invitation to meet—bright, warm, and enveloping—a musical hour in Vienybės Square.