Festival WINDSTREAM 2025 opening concert
SINATRA, REIMAGINED
| 12. APR | 19.00, Ceturtdiena |
|---|---|
| Biļetes cena | 25€ 20€ 18€ 15€ 7€ |
| Norises vieta | Lielā ģilde |
Orchestra “Rīga” Big Band
Conductor Raitis Ašmanis
Soloist Anyanya Udongwo (Nigeria)
Moderator Anete Ašmane-Vilsone
Program: Arrangements for big band by Patrick Williams from the album Sinatraland (1998) and Frank Sinatra’s most famous songs arranged by Dan Costa.
The opening concert of the WINDSTREAM2025 festival presents a program highlighting the instrumental mastery of the Orchestra “Riga” Big Band. Adding vibrant jazz vocals to the mix is Nigerian-born singer Anyanya Udongwo. Jazz has long been a defining feature of Orchestra “Riga”, with its expressive delivery honed over the years under the baton of conductor Raitis Ašmanis.
This concert marks a reunion of the orchestra and its conductor, celebrating the legacy of American stage legend and 11-time Grammy winner Frank Sinatra. The program features Sinatra’s iconic hits such as Strangers in the Night, My Way, and New York, New York, with big band arrangements by Patrick Williams and Dan Costa. Conductor and program curator Raitis Ašmanis notes, “Patrick Williams’ big band arrangements, showcased in the concert’s first half, are rarely performed in Latvia. They offer a treat for listeners and a challenge for musicians. The dynamic, exuberant music is enriched with additional flutes, clarinets, and even trombones, creating a richly textured sound. Improvisation plays a key role in Williams’ jazz arrangements, and nearly every instrumental group will have its moment to shine.”
Anyanya Udongwo is born in Nigeria and currently resides in Lithuania. In 2009, he moved to Ukraine to study medicine and pursue a career as a surgeon. During his studies, he began singing in a church choir and developed an increasing passion for music. After completing his medical degree, he worked as a surgeon for a few years before realizing that music was his true calling. Anjanya has participated in international shows such as The Voice of Ukraine and The Voice of Lithuania 2023, where he won first place. He has also performed at various jazz concerts and festivals.
The concert “Sinatra, Reimagined” will take place on March 20, 2025, at the Splendid Palace Cinema.
