Arkady Figlin

Arkady Figlin is a Russian-born jazz pianist who achieved a historic victory by winning first place at the 16th Great American Jazz Piano Competition. The prestigious event took place in Jacksonville, Florida, on November 12-13, 1998, as part of the city's annual jazz festival. This was the first time a musician from Russia had won the competition. The jury consisted of renowned jazz pianists and composers, including Oliver Jones, Ron Mathews, Horace Silver, Erik Reed, and the noted jazz musicologist Leslie Gourse. Figlin competed against four other finalists in front of an audience of 1,400 people.

During the competition, Arkady Figlin captivated both the jury and the audience with his virtuosic technique, which drew comparisons to the legendary styles of Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. In a unique fusion of genres, he began his performance with a piece from Johann Sebastian Bach's "The Well-Tempered Clavier," showcasing his deep classical roots before transitioning into jazz.

Born in Saratov, Russia, around 1963, Figlin demonstrated exceptional musical talent from a young age. He graduated with honors from both the music school and college in his hometown, where he studied under Professor A. Skripay, the rector of the Saratov Conservatory. He continued his advanced studies at the Gnessin State Musical College in Moscow, also graduating with honors, solidifying his reputation as a product of the esteemed Russian piano school.

Before moving to the United States, Figlin was a laureate of numerous jazz festivals in Russia and released both an LP and a CD. His international acclaim grew in 1998 when he also won jazz piano competitions in Belgium and Paris. Since 1992, he has lived and worked in New York City, where he released a CD in 1995. He is a versatile musician, equally adept at classical music, performing with symphony orchestras and collaborating with ballet companies associated with the Balanchine Corporation. He returned to Russia for performances in Moscow and Saratov in 1995.

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