Koktebel Jazz Party opens with music from New Orleans

The unexpected heavy rain that resulted in Koktabel Jazz Party being postponed by a day was replaced by a splendid moderate weather by the shores of the Black Sea here as musicians from various countries took to the stage to enthrall the audience.

The world's oldest running jazz festival was delayed for a day due to bad weather on Friday but Saturday evening saw the spirit of the festival come alive in its 15th edition.

The evening began with a performance by jazz band, Joe Lastie's New Orleans Sound and continued till midnight.A

Joe Lastie's New Orleans Sound was formed by musicians from New Orleans last year. They play classical jazz and perform in clubs on the iconic Bourbon Street. Shifting seamlessly between high and low notes, the band brought 'the culture of New Orleans' to Crimea and performed several numbers, including hymns.

'I am glad to welcome all those who decided to come after yesterday (the shower)! We have a festive mood, we will tighten the program and will hold our festival with renewed vigor! Thank you for your patience and devotion,' said the festival organising committee chairman Dmitry Kiselev.

This year the organisers have decided to award a prize of 'audience sympathy' every day: a statuette of gold, silver and diamonds from one of the sponsors of the festival. The winner will be the group which gathers the most applause of listeners, with the ovation volume being measured with a sound level meter.

In addition to Joe Lasti's group, Valery Ponomarev with the Messengers from Russia programme and the Brill Family jazz band also performed on the opening night.

The 15th Koktebel Jazz Party will conclude later on Sunday night.

--IANS

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