Mirage Jazz Orchestra

“Mirage Jazz Orchestra” emerged on the jazz scene of Latvia in January 2004. It was founded by jazzmen – trombone player Lauris Amantovs and saxophone player Deniss Pashkevich.
Lauris Amantovs has studied jazz music in Klaipeda University and was taught by famous jazz trumpetist Jiggs Whigham. It has always been his dream to found his own professional Big band.The most valuable gain to the band has been their close cooperation with the legendary trumpet player, arranger and composer Gunars Rozenbergs. His skillfully formed arrangements expressly for “Mirage Jazz Orchestra” give the orchestra its unique sound. Gunar’s brilliant flamboyant trumpet playing style touched not only the hearts of European audiences, but also those in the homeland of jazz – the USA. In the eighties Gunars Rozenbergs transformed Latvian TV and Radio orchestra in a magnificent Big band, which had great success in many jazz festivals. In connection with radio Big band dismissal the creative life of Mr. Rosenbergs also changed.

The orchestra unites the very best Latvian Jazz musicians. The piano player Madars Kalninsh is also an acclaimed composer, arranger and the leader of other jazz units. A flamboyant soloist and trumpet player Ulo Ussenko, who has been the leading trumpet player in the Latvian Radio Big band. Our harmonists are – an outstanding alto sax player, Latvian jazz luminary, who was performing already in the late fifties early sixties – Ivars Birkans, and trumpet player – Zigurds Linde. They dedicated many creative years to Latvian TV and radio orchestra. The saxophone player Indrikis Veitners also started his musical career there, he is the founder of first jazz school in Latvia and the director of Riga choir school jazz faculty. The orchestra sound gets its special accent thanks to young musicians – Normunds Piesis and Gints Stepanovs.

“Mirage Jazz Orchestra” has performed in Klaipeda jazz festival 2005, Saulkrasti jazz festival 2005 and Riga Rhythms festival 2005,  but in 2007 it gave concerts allover Latvia with outstanding success.

The “Mirage Jazz Orchestra” members:

Gunars Rozenbergs (art director and arranger)
Lauris Amantovs (trombone)
Deniss Pashevich (sax; flute)
Ivars Birkans (sax; flute),
Indrikis Veitners (sax; clarinet),
Raivo Stashans (sax; flute),
Űlo Ussenko (trumpet),
Normunds Piesis (trumpet),
Gints Stepanovs (trumpet),
Zigurds Linde (trumpet),
Karlis Tortuzis (trombone),
Madars Kalninsh (piano),
Viktor Zelenkov (bass),
Raimonds Kalninsh (drums; percussions)