Georgian Jazz music has a very rich history starting from the late 30’s of the last century. Despite not having a direct connection to Jazz, at that time, many orchestras were already using jazz elements in their repertoire.
Shortly after WW2 ended, jazz music was banned by the Soviet regime led by Joseph Stalin. They were against anything that could express any kind of freedom and stand near Western culture. It was the most difficult period for this genre, but right after Stalin’s death, those restrictions went loose and new jazz orchestras and bands emerged on the scene. Universities had their orchestras, paving the career path for many instrumentalists and jazz vocalists during their active years.
Jazz music gained much love and popularity among listeners. From the early 70’s international jazz festivals were held in Tbilisi, hosting world-famous and Georgian musicians as well.Nowadays, besides big festival events like Tbilisi Jazz Festival and Batumi Jazz festival, there are several spots in town that are hosting regular jazz music sessions. It’s the bars that make it cozy, close to musicians, and full of live experience nights.
Jazz Cafe 1984
Photo source: Jazz Club 1984
Jazz Cafe 1984 provides an old town gathering space for jazz music lovers. Vintage interior and diverse live concerts attract listeners every day of the week.
Arteria
arteria jazz club
Arteria, a multicultural art performance space on Baratashvili Street, is an art gallery and a jazz club. Based on the space concept, their events hit differently. Guests can enjoy watching a painting being created by different artists in front of their eyes while listening to jazz musicians and singers.
Konka
Photo source: Konka
Another well-known place for jazz music listeners is Konka. Live music cafe-bar is located on Sioni street, in an old town. Although the cafe is mostly oriented on Jazz music, Konka offers funk, folk, pop and retro music tribute nights from time to time.
Jazz Union
Photo source: Jazz·Union
Live music bar Jazz Union is located in Vera district, Tatishvili Street. The place hosts Georgian and foreign jazz musicians as well. Besides jazz evenings, the bar offers to its listeners tribute events of famous American musicians of the genre.
Dedaena Bar
Dedaena Bar
And last but not least, there are Jam Session Georgia events at Dedaena Bar. A few years ago, “Jam Session Georgia” started in the “Movement Theater” by multi-instrumentalist musician Sandro Nikoladze, since then they travel to different bars and event venues in Tbilisi, doing jazz evenings, while searching for new talents. Jam Session is an experimental live music event where musicians of different genres join the main band on the stage and use their improvisation skills to create music that never repeats itself. That’s what makes their evenings so outstanding and different.
