On October 8, the Russian House in Brussels invites you to a festive evening dedicated to the 100th anniversary of people’s diplomacy! On stage will perform world-renowned jazz pianists Daniil Kramer and Valery Grokhovskш — acclaimed Maestros whose interpretations captivate audiences around the globe.
A special highlight of the concert will be the participation of talented double bassist Daria Chernakova (Sokolova), a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, whose virtuosity and original style have earned her international recognition.
Program: jazz masterpieces in original arrangements, classical works, and exclusive compositions by the performers. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this musical celebration!
Daniil Kramer — Soviet and Russian jazz pianist, teacher, composer, and producer, People’s Artist of Russia (2012), full member of the Russian Academy of Arts. A graduate of the Gnessin Institute (class of E. Ya. Liberman), he began as a classical pianist but soon became fascinated with jazz. His victory at the Vilnius Jazz Improvisers Competition (1982) marked the start of his jazz career. Since then, Kramer has become one of the most sought-after musicians in Russia: teaching at the Gnessin Academy, collaborating with the Moscow Philharmonic, and touring extensively across Russia, Europe, the USA, China, and Australia. He has performed at major festivals — Munich Piano Summit, Baltic Jazz, Manly Jazz Festival, Rheingau — and shared the stage with masters such as Didier Lockwood. His repertoire spans the entire spectrum of jazz, from traditional to modern, while his performances with symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles showcase his versatility.
Valery Grokhovski — pianist, composer, educator, Vice-Rector of the Gnessin Academy for secondary and pre-professional education, Director of the Gnessin Music College, and Dean of the Faculty of Popular Music Arts. Born into the family of renowned composer and conductor Alexander Grokhovsky, he studied music from an early age. A graduate of the Gnessin College and Institute, he developed a passion for jazz. Laureate of the International Ferruccio Busoni Competition (1989, Italy). For more than ten years he taught at the University of Texas at San Antonio before returning to Russia to continue his performing and composing career. He has composed music for films and TV series in Russia, the USA, France, and other countries, recorded over 20 albums of classical and jazz music, and collaborated with world jazz stars Ron Carter and Billy Cobham. In 2013, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Daria Chernakova — one of the brightest and most in-demand double bassists of the Russian jazz scene, graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory (class of People’s Artist of Russia Rustem Gabdullin). Participant of the “Big Jazz” project on the “Culture” TV channel, recipient of the “Open World” (USA) fellowship. The American magazine DownBeat praised her mastery of classical technique, rhythmic flexibility, and improvisational talent. Daria has performed at the Lionel Hampton Festival, in clubs such as Jazz Alley (Seattle), Smalls (New York), Blue Note (Rio de Janeiro), JazzB (São Paulo), and many others. She has collaborated with leading jazz musicians worldwide, including Randy Brecker, Jerry Bergonzi, Victor Lewis, Marcos Valle, Ari Hoenig, and Gregory Hutchinson. In 2019, in Brazil, Daria recorded her debut album Maracujá, highly acclaimed by critics and released with the support of the São Paulo state government grant, featuring Grammy-nominated Brazilian musicians.
People’s diplomacy is a living dialogue of people, cultures, and hearts. For a century, it has helped strengthen trust and mutual understanding between nations, finding ways of rapprochement where official words sometimes fail.
It is jazz — the language of freedom and improvisation — that will become the symbol of this evening. You will hear classical standards, original compositions, and vibrant improvisations by musicians from Russia, Europe, Asia, and America. Music, which knows no borders, will open new horizons for friendship and cultural exchange.
This festive event will emphasize the continuity of traditions and remind us: people’s diplomacy continues to play an important role in uniting people through art.
