MIKC Ventspils Music High School in Latvia is launching a four-day international festival focused on jazz education and ensemble performance. The Baltic Review reported that the event, titled Ventspils Groove 2026, runs from August 18 through August 21 and prioritizes instructional workshops alongside public concerts.
The program targets musicians aged 15 to 30 from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and France, offering them access to masterclasses, individual lessons, and collaborative ensemble rehearsals. Educators leading the curriculum include French percussionist Franck Agulhon, Latvian bassist Uldis Vītols, and Estonian saxophonist Raul Sööt, among others from the region.
Rather than showcasing only polished performances, the festival emphasizes the creative process, allowing students to develop material with professional guidance before presenting it publicly. The source notes that several events remain free for community members, including an opening concert featuring Latin American influences and a Thursday session connecting bebop traditions with contemporary sounds.
Culminating on August 21, student ensembles will perform an open-air concert in central Ventspils as part of the city’s Friday Evening Walk series. This format provides local residents and visitors direct insight into student progress while integrating the school’s educational activities into the broader regional cultural landscape.
For more information, visit baltic-review.com.