Mirage Jazz Orchestra (MJO), was the first to take to the stage on January 4, 2004. MJO brings together the best Latvian jazz musicians from different musical backgrounds. The trombone player Lauris Amantovs and the sax player Deniss Paskevics are co-founders of the band. This is Lauris’ dream of a big band realized. He studied at Klaipeda University. The distinguished jazz masters Jiggs Wilam and Peter Herbolzcheimer were his great inspirations and mentors. Deniss Paskevics, a well-known jazz musician and producer, is the founder of Latvia’s first and only jazz music production firm. He also initiated a number jazz groups, including those with Nick Ali, Rio Kawasaki and Nick Ali. Riga Dome Choir School also has him as a teacher. Ulo Ussenko is the lead trumpeter. Zigurds Linde, Indrikis Veitners, and Raivo Stasans both have sax playing experience and musical backgrounds in Latvian Radio Big Band. I. Veitners was also the founder of the Riga Dome Choir School Jazz Department, the first jazz school in Latvia. The MJO was fortunate to have close cooperation with Gunars Rozenbergs, a jazz composer and arranger. His musical background was prominent. He started out as a great trumpeter and went on to play in many jazz groups before becoming the leader of the Latvian Radio big band during the 80ies. His exceptional talent in arranging music was greatly appreciated by professionals in Riga as well as internationally. Mirage Jazz Orchestra (MJO), was the first to take to the stage. MJO brings together the best Latvian jazz musicians from different musical backgrounds. 2006 – MJO attends Saulkrasti Jazz Festival, Latvia, an international jazz festival at Archangelsk, Russia. MJO records Mirage Jazz Octet “Nordic Spring”, a collection of Nordic and Latvian songs, in jazz arrangements by G. Rozenbergs, and tours Latvia with pop-rock band “TUMSA”. 2007 – MJO takes part in festivals “Rigas Ritmi”, Saulkrasti Jazz in Latvia, and “Siauliai Jazz in Lithuania.” 2008 – Year of the Album “My Favorite Things”. This CD features the best of MJO’s creative collaboration with Gunars Rozenbergs. It also includes his compositions and arrangements. MJO plays at “Rigas Ritmi”, “Saulkrasti jazz” and “Venstpils jazz” in Latvia. MJO performs regularly with the Latvian and international musicians, I.Busulis, J.Gulbe,L.Racenajs,I.Berzina, O.Pirags, D.Pirags,A.Danilenko, R.Trence, Z.Siksna, A.Zakis, P.von Wroblevski, K.Miklin, J.Lavson, S.Studnicky. MJO is an invited guest on major Latvian musical TV programs like “Muzikala Banka”, which awards the annual prize for best rock, pop and jazz performances. They are a key part of the Latvian music scene thanks to their outstanding musical abilities and open-minded approach to musical projects. http://mirage.lv
