Piano with Konstantins J.

Jazz musician, Konstantins J., built his career and reputation with his award winning performances in his home country of Lativa. Considered the top trumpet player in Latvia, Konstantins took an opportunity to audition for Berklee College of Music, in Boston, Massachusetts. Konstanins was awarded a scholarship in 2006 and graduated in 2009. As a graduate of Berklee College of Music, he was honored and received the prestigious 2009 Freddie Hubbard Award and earned the mutual respect of the faculty and his fellow students. His performance is as impressive as his background. Classically trained from the age of 7, Mr. J. earned recognition as a great academic trumpet player performing with the Moscow City Ballet, The Liepaja Symphonic Orchestra, touring eastern and western Europe. His many award winning performances include the Noorte Jazz-Improvisation Festival “Vision”, The Riga Ritmi Jazz Festival and the “Coca-Cola” Tbilisi Jazz Festival where he had the opportunity to play with the Freddie Cole Band. He also received special recognition and awards for best young musician at the “Saulkrasti Jazz Festival” and performed at the J.B. Arbans Carnival of Venice, for an audience of 2000 people.. He has played with several jazz musicians at Berklee including Masaya Yanagi M & M Jazz orchestra, the Masakazu Kiritake Jazz Comp Portfolio and has made numerous Recording’s for MP&E, performing with Miguel Sevilla, Basilio Ramirez and others. While composing and writing arrangements for a five piece band Mr. J. has graduated with a masters in Jazz Studies from University of Southern California. While studying and working in LA he has had the opportunity to work along side with Vince Mendoza, Bob Mintzer, Alan Pasqua, Arturo Sandoval, Ambrose Akinmuserie, Wayne Bergeron, Jason Goldman, J.B. Dyas and Peter Erskine.