Jazz it up in Koktebel

Yakov Okun’s international band will perform Moscow Nights and Old Maple Tree

Yakov Okun’s international band will perform Moscow Nights and Old Maple Tree

Yakov Okun's international jazz band will perform a jazz arrangement of Moscow Nights and Old Maple Tree as well some old American songs.

"It was crucial for me to play the two tunes. The Moscow Nights arrangement was made by Herman Lukyanov, a great jazz musician. He passed away just over forty days ago, and playing it to honour him means a lot to me. As for the Old Maple Tree, I love this tune and I think it can be performed in the style of jazz," the band's leader Yakov Okun said at the news conference.

Foreign musicians noted they were very happy to take part in the jazz festival in Koktebel.

"Yakov is a great professional, he loves jazz, has a perfect feel for music and it is a great pleasure playing with him. I am very pleased that he invited me to the Koktebel Jazz Party, and I hope we will perform at this festival again," baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan said.

Meanwhile, Singapore singer Alemay Fernandes promised to tell musicians in her country about the Koktebel Jazz Party.

"It is a wonderful place and the weather here is fantastic. I am very glad to represent Singapore at this festival, and I will definitely tell people in Singapore about it, maybe someone else will come to the festival from there. It is great honour for me to perform here and play with such musicians."