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Observers praise her expressive range and ability to bring Latvian folk elements into the language of jazz, creating a style that feels both timeless and fresh. A vocal artist of the highest order, Arta regularly presents new works at The Jazz Gallery, one of New York City’s premier venues. In fact, she was awarded the Jazz Gallery Residency Commission Grant 2021.In 2023, Jēkabsone received the highest form of state recognition in the field of music, the Latvian Music Award “New Artist of the Year 2022”. The ASCAP Foundation recently recognized her with an honorable mention in the 2024 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards and in May 2024 she concluded her artist residency at The Church in Sag Harbor. Currently, she is working on two upcoming albums: her solo Latvian-folk-jazz-world music project "Dziesmu Kamoliņš" (Garland of Songs) and "Impressions of an Era," featuring the Latvian Radio Big Band and Latvian jazz saxophonist and composer Toms Rudzinskis, set for release in Fall 2025.
Early Life and Musical Roots
Born and raised in Latvia, Jēkabsone discovered jazz early on through family music sessions and local festivals. She learned that jazz could be a space for improvisation and personal storytelling, which inspired her to start writing her own arrangements as a teenager. After experimenting with pop and classical training, she found that jazz’s spontaneity suited her inclination to explore sounds from many genres. By her late teens, Jēkabsone was entering national competitions and standing out for her soulful interpretations of standards and Latvian folk tunes.
Her success at the Montreux Shure Jazz Voice Competition marked a turning point. The recognition encouraged her to move forward with international performances and collaborative projects. She soon relocated to New York, a city known for its thriving jazz community and diverse artistic opportunities. There, Jēkabsone began performing regularly at notable venues, forging connections with established jazz musicians and composers who admired her versatile approach to singing.
Style and Achievements
Jēkabsone’s music often marries modern jazz harmonies with understated folk melodies. She might begin a set with an airy a cappella snippet of a Latvian folk hymn, then lead her band into an uptempo number that showcases her improvisational skill. Listeners are drawn in by her capacity to move seamlessly between haunting lullabies, bright swing tunes, and emotive ballads. This ability to switch musical gears while maintaining a cohesive artistic identity is a defining part of her approach.
She has released two albums so far, both of which highlight her deft songwriting and arranging abilities. Each record features collaborations with rising talents in the New York jazz scene, combining horns, piano, percussion, and sometimes string sections to create an expansive sound. Her albums have been met with enthusiasm from critics, who applaud her willingness to experiment while remaining rooted in tradition. These projects have helped her earn invitations to major festivals, further establishing her status as an international performer.
In her continuous search for new experiences, Jēkabsone has embraced artist residencies as a way to explore fresh ideas. She completed a residency at The Church in Sag Harbor, where she dived into concepts inspired by nature and solitude. During that period, she composed a cycle of pieces reflecting Latvia’s landscapes in springtime. This creative immersion gave her a deeper perspective on the links between her homeland’s cultural identity and modern jazz forms.
Connection to Latvian Heritage
Although she has made New York her home base, Jēkabsone remains closely connected to her Latvian roots. She believes that jazz, as a global art form, provides an ideal platform to share the music and folklore of her home country with wide audiences. Her compositions frequently weave in traditional Latvian motifs and local poetic themes, lending her work a sense of authenticity that resonates with listeners of all backgrounds.
Latvian cultural organizations have honored her for her unique ability to present folk elements within a cosmopolitan jazz framework. She has also performed in Latvia to enthusiastic hometown crowds who appreciate seeing one of their own succeed on the world stage. While she continues to develop her craft in New York, she holds onto her heritage as an anchor in her artistic journey.
Performing at TRUE NORTH
On April 22, 2025, Jēkabsone will join other Nordic and Baltic talents at the TRUE NORTH showcase, organized by Nordic Artists of New York. She plans to present a set of pieces reflecting her Latvian roots, likely including selections from her “Garland of Songs,” an ethno-jazz project that honors the folk traditions of her homeland. The event promises to highlight her capacity for heartfelt storytelling through a blend of vocal finesse and melodic creativity.
Jēkabsone’s performance stands out as a must-see moment at TRUE NORTH. Listeners can anticipate the grace and technical precision of an artist who has captivated audiences across continents. By infusing the evening’s atmosphere with her evocative singing, she will add a vibrant Latvian dimension to the larger celebration of Nordic and Baltic culture.
Tickets are available now for the TRUE NORTH event on April 22, 2025, at the New York Estonian House. Secure a seat to experience Arta Jēkabsone’s rich vocals and the collaborative energy of Nordic Artists of New York. She looks forward to sharing her passion for jazz with new audiences in a setting that unites many cultural voices on one stage.
