“The Latvian-born artist has crafted a sound niche reflective of her journeys, both physical and emotional. Hope, wanderlust, and self-reflection emerge as raw materials for carefully sculpted compositions; her lyrics brim with intimacy.” — Jazz Speaks, Stephanie Jones
“…she delivered a beautiful array of pieces that gorgeously framed her clear tone, understated phrasing, and a knack for memorable melodies. But more deeply, Arta created a meditation on light, in its natural form certainly, but also in its spiritual and human capacity.” — Hot House Jazz Guide, Seton Hawkins
Arta continues to shine as one of jazz’s most expressive and boundary-pushing voices. — Neon Jazz, Joe Dimino
“In her music, you can hear warmth, gratitude, and compassion, as well as crystal-clear intention and focus. — Jazz Speaks, Noah Fishman
“Beyond her vocal artistry, Jēkabsone is a perceptive composer and curator, developing interdisciplinary projects that expand across style, media, and time period.” — Jazz Speaks, Kevin Laskey
“She brings together musical influences from around the world, bonding traditional palettes with modern rhythms and sensibilities, linking the past to the present. She imbibes her audiences with song, filling their hearts and minds with her music, inviting them to carry these tunes with them as they travel through the course of their day.” — Jazz2Love, Susan Frances
“She is a beauty on stage, but in a very natural way, honest and playful – totally into the music; – let’s call her Arta Sunshine Jēkabsone.”
— Montreux Jazz Shure Voice Competition diaries, Sabine Kühlich
“Those that hear her cannot forget her immensely positive energy and refined mastery of craft that is truly one of a kind.” — Multi-instrumentalist, gamer, and composer, Jasper Dütz
“Arta Jēkabsone is a voice that will soothe any pain or suffering. She is the guardian and ambassador of light, love, and peace. Yet, she still can bedazzle you with complex, but not overwhelming lines and melodies, and she freely takes command of harmony and rhythm.” — Composer and pianists, Edgars Cīrulis
“Every now and again something truly new comes around. It’s rare, so when that happens, the experience is truly special. Such an experience is awaiting one’s ears when they experience the artistry which is Arta Jekabsone. Her compositions are rooted in her life’s journey, infused with the deep roots of her native country, and most importantly, her performances are filled with the genuine, real, authentic expressions which are at the heart of her improvisations. Her voice communicates powerfully and her compositions and arrangements are equally moving. It was a pleasure to have her at the Jazz Loft and to collaborate with her on stage.” — Thomas J. Manuel, D.M.A.President & Founder, The Jazz Loft, Inc.
“Arta: daudzsološa, ar savu radošo domu … darbu un uzņēmību … kā putniņš veidojas par lakstīgalu… Artas radošā laboratorija – komanda ar patiesi radošiem un kompetentiem jaunas paaudzes mūziķiem. Es ar nedalītu interesi noklausījos visus brīnumus un pavērsienus prasmīgu mūziķu rokās un domās – ne katram gadās novākt tādu uzticamu radošu vienību. Mēs gaidām vēl! Saulaina (neviltota) būtība un saturisks skatuves tēls.” — Komponists, Uģis Prauliņš
“Gan pēc vizuālā ietērpa, nosaukuma, gan saturiski tas ir vienots māksliniecisks veselums. Dziedātājai, kura ieguvusi lielisku izglītību un turpina mācīties, ir savdabīgi skaista balss, kuras galvenā kvalitāte ir smalks, nesamākslots un intonatīvi precīzs skanējums. Improvizācijas raisa iztēli un atklāj saturu, kurā savijas gaismēnas, saules kristāli, mākoņi, sapņi un atmiņu tēli, tiek uzburtas dažādas redzes un izjūtu gleznas. Tas izklausās viegli, jo Artai piemīt meistarība, kas liek noticēt jaunās dziedātājas neordinārajam talantam. Viņa, būdama arī kompozīciju autore, patiesi izdzied savu dvēseles stāstu. Viņai ir, ko teikt pasaulei, un viņa to dara pārliecinoši.” — Dzejniece, Iveta Šimkus
“Arta pārsteidz ar savu netradicionālo, netipisko džeza dziedājumu un pieeju mūzikai, ar dažāda veida muzikālo pieredžu apvienojumu gaišā interpretācijā, džezā ieviešot arī latvisku līniju.” — Muzikoloģe, Daina Markova
There’s a beguiling oddness to hearing the words “I put the blue bin out in my best blue pyjamas” sung by a voice as clear and as pure as cold water drawn from a well in a fairytale village. This air of ethereal otherness hangs throughout the rest of the collection, like Scandinavian mist…Beachfinds is a very special and affecting collaboration. And aptly named, too. It’s like a beautifully polished piece of sea glass held up to the sun. A bit like Dean Wilson himself. Hats off to Erik and Arta for taking Dean’s words and dressing them up in new and different clothes. — The Crow’s Nest, a music column by Russ Litten
A magical production that blends wordless vocal beauty with a neo-classical instrumental glow, “Dedication (for Gabi)” is an engaging new track from New York-based artist Nick Marks. Arta Jēkabsone’s vocals are enthralling, cohesively implemented alongside upright piano with inventive effects and electronica aspects. — Obscure Sound, a music column by Mike Mineo
From the very first notes, Jēkabsone’s voice anchors the listener — warm, pure, and full of quiet strength. She doesn’t perform these songs so much as embody them… There’s something transcendent about hearing her glide between Latvian lyrics and spontaneous melodic phrasing, bridging the sacred and the contemporary in a way that feels both reverent and daring. — Odyssey Magazine, review bu IAIN JOHNSON
Unfurling a magical, hypnotic aural universe, New York-based jazz vocalist and composer Arta Jēkabsone builds an aural experience that’s incredibly heartwarming and euphoric, a nugget of fable-like charisma delivered by folklore-driven vocals and cathartic choirs. Threading the fine line between folk and jazz sensibility, ‘Dziesmu Kamoliņš (Garland of Songs)’ packs eleven wondrous and elegant pieces, all written by Jēkabsone in the Latvian language, yet with a global appeal. —Mesmerized, review by Gabriel Mazza
Latvijā mēs dziedātāju Artu Jēkabsoni jau sen mīlam un ar lepnumu sekojam viņas gaitām. Viņa ir viena no tām māksliniecēm, kas Latvijas vārdu nes tālu pāri okeānam – Amerikā, kur dzīvo un rada, bet vienmēr paliek ciešā saiknē ar savām saknēm. – JazzIn Magazine, by vocalist, composer, jazz magazine editor Evilena Protektore
Arta Jēkabsone featured on Nick Marks’ song Dedication (for Gabi) on KEXP Playlist
Arta Jēkabsone featured on Nick Marks’ song Dedication (for Gabi) on Fame Magazine
Arta Jēkabsone featured on Nick Marks’ song Dedication (for Gabi) on Plastic Magazine
Arta Jēkabsone featured on Nick Marks’ song Dedication (for Gabi) on Beach House Magazine
Ilona Kudiņa and her Baltic Transit album review on “JAZZin” Electronic Jazz Magazine by Valters Sprūdžs, Issue Nr.33
Jazz Speaks: The Jazz Gallery Residency Commissions: Arta Jēkabsone’s “Searching for a Song” by Kevin Laskey
10th Annual Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition (2021)
Article on Essex News Daily
Article in JazzTimes – Sarah Vaughan Competition Announces 2021 Finalists
Broadcast interview Impressions of Jazz on Latvian Radio 3 with Arta Jēkabsone about the Sarah Vaughan Competition 2021
Interview on WBGO, podcast The Pulse with Keanna Faircloth feat.the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Finalists
Interview on podcast Mikrofons by Rūta Dūduma-Ķirse and Santa Šillere
Broadcast interview Impressions of Jazz on Latvian Radio 3 with Arta Jēkabsone about multi-discplinary performance Letters to Home
Interview on podcast Stream Stand by Karen Gonzalez and Ben Fortunato
Interview on “JAZZin” Electronic Jazz Magazine by Evilena Protektore. Issue Nr.21
Arta Jēkabsone featured on New York Times Magazine Article “8 Things to Do This Weekend” as a part of The Jazz Gallery Lockdown Session.
Radio Klasika 2020
Radio Klasika 2019
Light: Arta Jēkabsone Speaks A look inside The Jazz Gallery: Interview with Noah Fishman at Jazz Speaks
Musicians Talk Inspirations: Arta Jēkabsone by Seton Hawkins
Article about Arta’s concert Light on Kandavas Novada Vēstnesis
Arta Jēkabsone Quintet Concert “Light” Tour in Latvia:
Radio Klasika 2018
Interview on “JAZZin” Electronic Jazz Magazine by Aleksandra Line. Issue Nr.4
Article “JazzKukko Festival 2018” by Kari Antila
Article on “JAZZin” Electronic Jazz Magazine by Evilena Protektore. Issue Nr.3
Radio Klasika (2018)
Broadcast Show “JAZZin Musical Notes” “Only Women in Jazz”
Radio Klasika (2017)
Arta Jēkabsone’s “Gaisma” arranged by Jānis Ivušķāns, performed by Emiļa Melngaiļa Mūzikas Vidusskolas Bigband”
Arta Jēkabsone at “Montreux Jazz Academy 2017”
Interview on Music Magazine” Figaro” by Guna Blaua (2016)
Montreux Jazz Shure Voice Competition Experience (2016)
“When I was thinking about the concept of what to sing, for me the first condition was: be yourself, I chose the songs where I felt a connection.”
Interview on AT-Trade.
https://youtu.be/p7j05IbERGM
Radio Klasika 2016
Radio Kultūras Rondo 2016
Interview on Riga Funk Fest 2014
Jazz Skola Live with Arta Jēkabsone 2014
Arta Jekabsone 