Vilnius JJazz Ensemble wins the 'Jazz of the Year' award

Fifteen years after the first M.A.M.A. awards in 2012, a significant, one might even say historic, event took place this year: for the first time, a 'Jazz of the Year' category was established at the awards and an award in this category was presented. This is an important achievement and a major new step for the entire jazz community. The idea of a jazz award had been in the air for a number of years, so we are especially pleased that one of the country's biggest music events, M.A.M.A., has taken jazz music seriously and included it in the official awards programme. We believe that from now on the 'Jazz of the Year' category will become a permanent part of these awards.

It was not only the names of the 'Jazz of the Year' nominees and winners that rang out on the awards stage: the audience also saw a performance by the 'Jazz Dream Team', a band brought together especially for the occasion and made up of nine renowned Lithuanian jazz musicians. They performed Karolis Šarkus's composition 'Mah-Mah', written specifically for this event.

We are delighted to have had the opportunity to present Lithuanian jazz to television viewers and to introduce them to the jazz scene in Lithuania. We believe this attention will contribute to the further spread of jazz and the growth of the genre in Lithuania's musical life.

We would also like to sincerely thank all listeners and fans of Lithuanian jazz. Your support, attention, attendance at concerts and interest in this music allow us to create, play and move forward. For this we are truly grateful.

Congratulations to all of this year's 'Jazz of the Year' nominees, All Reeds Duo, Donatas Petreikis, Jan Maksimovič, Dmitrijus Goovanovas and Mindaugas Stumbras, and to this year's winners, Vilnius JJazz Ensemble.