Igor Butman Speaks about the Jazz Scene of the Future Project at the WYF

On March 2 and 3 within the framework of the World Youth Festival a special project of the Moscow Jazz Festival "Jazz Scene of the Future" took place. It was presented by the Igor Butman Foundation with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. During two days at the Festival youth jazz bands from all over the world performed, there was an extensive educational program for young performers and those interested in jazz music. 

The ideas of the World Youth Festival are in many ways consonant with the art of jazz, and this was stated on the margins of the forum by the famous jazzman, People's Artist of the Russian Federation Igor Butman. 

"It is very happy to see here people from all over the world who have gathered to get acquainted and create new centers of friendship and mutual understanding. And jazz in this regard, of course, is one of the best guides of creation. When we improvise, we speak the same language. Each with his own accent, but the main thing is that everyone is talking about friendship, peace, love, and happiness," stressed Igor Butman during a press conference on March 3.

This very day in the Festival program is dedicated to the theme "Multinational Unity". 

Within the framework of the World Festival of Youth are various events dedicated to the art of jazz. Igor Butman has already held an open dialog with participants on the role of music and international integration of culture. The workshop was given by one of today's outstanding young jazz musicians, Evgeny Pobozhii. In 2019, the guitarist became the first Russian musician to win the prestigious Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute Jazz Competition. Today he is the soloist of Igor Butman's Moscow Jazz Orchestra and the leader of his own band. Evgeny Pobozhiy told about his creative path and cooperation with musicians from different countries. Within the framework of the WYF a lecture was given by Roman Khrystyuk, producer of the Moscow Jazz Festival. He devoted the meeting to discussing the difficulties of producing in jazz and the search for new names. 

On March 3, two jazz concerts - afternoon and evening - take place on the Festival's concert stage. They feature not only Russian performers, but also musicians from Armenia, India, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Turkey. 

"These are the countries where we have been touring lately and where we met these musicians. We were amazed by their high performing level and decided: it is our duty to introduce the Russian audience and jazz lovers to these performers from kind of non-jazz countries. But we should not forget that some people are surprised that there is jazz in Russia. And we have it, and of the highest level. After all, in 2022 we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Russian jazz. And today we open new worlds for ourselves and open (for others) Russia as a powerful jazz power with a powerful history", - emphasized Igor Butman.

The World Youth Festival is taking place at the Sirius Federal Territory from March 1 to 7, 2024, as per the decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at fostering international youth cooperation.

The Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) is the organizer of the World Youth Festival, with the Directorate of the World Youth Festival serving as the operator for WYF-2024.