Andrei Kondakov

Ukrainian jazz pianist, born 14 September 1962 in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Andrei Kondakov is a pianist, composer, bandleader, artistic director of JFC jazz club and various jazz festivals in St.Petersburg, Russia. Andrei Kondakov is one of the most well known, inventive and diverse musicians in Russia. He is a Graduate of the St. Petersburg Conservatory and has gained renown as an artist who masterfully combines elements of jazz and contemporary improvised music, and has gained notoriety as a composer involving many different genres. He has toured the world extensively, with his own groups, as well as a leader of many international projects involving such jazz luminaries as Bobbi McFerrin, bassist Eddie Gomez, drummer Lenny White, sax players Igor Butman and David Sanchez, guitarist Paul Bollenback, Randy Brecker, Mark Murphy among others. In 2000 he founded his Brazilian project with bassist Sergio Brandao, Percussionist Café de Silva and legendary drummer Paolo Braga. His CD, "Christmas concert", was released on Leo records in 2008 and was selected by the New York based AllAboutJazz publication as "BEST OF 2008" in the category Honorable Mention - Best New Release 2008. Played at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Birdland , "Smoke" (NY), "Jazz at Pearls" (SF) "La Ve Lee" (LA) , North Sea Jazz Festival etc.