The best jazz musicians in Russia and from across the United States performed for residents of the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games host city.

The festival was brought to Sochi for the third time by jazz musician Igor Butman (pictured above), a Sochi 2014 ambassador.

American jazz vocalists Allan Harris and Kathy Jenkins (pictured below), compatriot and saxophonist Bill Evans, his group Soulgrass, Sochi Big Band and the Moscow Jazz Orchestra were some of the performers at the event.

The concerts were held in the Riviera Park and the Festival cinema hall.

"It has been an honour to be involved in Sochi's 'Aqua Jazz' festival since 2002 and I am very proud of what it has achieved," said Butman.


"The festival brings together jazz musicians from around Russia and across the world.

"Thanks to the Cultural Olympiad, we have been able to organise and successfully deliver this unique musical event."

This year is the Year of Music in Sochi's cultural Olympiad.

The Year of Music has included a number of festivals including Red Rocks, which saw international groups like Scissor Sisters join Russian rock stars for a concert in the Krasnaya Polyana mountains, where Olympic alpine skiing will take place in 2014.

In addition to the many festivals and concerts that have already taken place, more are planned for the rest of 2012.

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