Ventspils will host the international contemporary rhythm and jazz music festival “Ventspils Groove 2026”
09.08.2026 - 12:52
From August 18 to 21, Ventspils will host the international contemporary rhythm and jazz music festival "Ventspils Groove 2026", bringing together young musicians, experienced educators and jazz artists from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and France. The festival is organized by the Arts Education Competence Center "Ventspils Music High School", continuing the annual tradition of creating an environment for professional growth, creative collaboration and musical experience exchange.
The festival will open on August 18, when participants will begin work in master classes and ensemble classes. Over the course of several days, young musicians will hone their skills in individual classes, work in ensembles, participate in jam sessions, and prepare a concert program. At the end of the festival, on August 21, the formed ensembles will take the stage for a joint concert, demonstrating what they have accomplished during the festival.
This year, the master classes will be led by internationally renowned musicians and educators - percussionist Franck Agulhon (France), double bassist Uldis Vītols (Latvia), pianist Edgars Cīrulis (Latvia), guitarist Pranas Kentra (Lithuania), saxophonist Raul Sööt (Estonia), trumpeter Dominykas Vyšniauskas (Lithuania) and vocalist Valérie Graschaire (France). Their experience spans both the European jazz scene and major international projects, providing festival participants with the opportunity to learn from high-level professionals.In addition to the educational program, the festival will also offer free concerts, where it will be possible to explore diverse styles of jazz and contemporary rhythm music.
On August 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the beach cultural venue "Vieta, kur būt", the festival will be opened by the concert program "Ance Jankovska & Terra Quente", which will take the audience into the world of Latin American music. The program will feature samba and bossa nova rhythms, original arrangements in Portuguese, and a bright, summery musical story that combines tradition, modern sound, and the joy of southern culture.
On August 19th at 7:00 PM, the restaurant "Revez" will host Groove A jam session where festival participants and music friends will meet in a free and creative atmosphere, indulging in improvisation, musical conversations, and unpredictable twists and turns of compositions.
On August 20 at 7:00 PM, the "E-BOP" association will perform at the "Revez" restaurant. The project is an electric tribute to bebop music, which reveals the classic jazz tradition in a new, contemporary sound. Preserving the freedom of improvisation, rhythmic tension and harmonic diversity characteristic of bebop, the program combines electric instruments and modern sound aesthetics, creating a dynamic, energetic and exciting musical experience.
On August 21, the closing day of the festival, on the stage opposite Kino Rio, the audience will have the opportunity to experience the culmination of the festival. At 5:00 p.m., the ensembles of young musicians formed during the festival will take the stage, demonstrating what they have achieved in master classes and joint work. Also at 7:00 p.m., the audience will be delighted by the festival master class leaders, who will unite in a joint concert program especially for this event, offering original music and improvisations. The evening program at 8:30 p.m. will be supplemented by the concert "We Stop for Summer pt. 2.", but the festival will close with a traditional jam session, where musicians will meet in a unified musical dialogue.
Over the years, Ventspils Groove has become an important meeting place for young jazz and contemporary rhythm music performers, promoting international cooperation and providing an opportunity to learn from high-level professionals. This year, the festival promises four days filled with creative work, musical discoveries and vibrant concerts.
The festival is organized by MIKC "Ventspils Music High School". The festival is supported by SIA "Kurzemes filharmonija", Ventspils City Council, Kurzeme Planning Region, State Cultural Capital Fund, Latvian Historical Lands Development Program, cultural site "Vieta, kur būt", restaurant "Revez" and "KG Sound & Light".
