Laikmeta Impresijas // Impressions of an Era 

Impressions of an Era is a collaborative concert program by Latvian jazz artists Arta Jēkabsone and Toms Rudzinskis that explores themes of identity and belonging through original compositions for jazz big band. Inspired by the works of Latvian exile poets from New York’s “Hell’s Kitchen” group of the 1950s, the program weaves together poetry, jazz, Latvian folk motifs, and archival visuals, reflecting the duality of diaspora life and timeless questions of cultural identity and belonging.

The program premiered at Concert Hall “Latvija” in Ventspils on September 15, 2023, performed by the Ventspils Big Band and conducted by Renārs Lācis, with support from the State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia.

In January 2025, the music was recorded at Studio “Auss” with the Latvian Radio Big Band and is currently in production. Release date TBD.