Alexey Kozlov: Envy and Academism are the Foundation of Russian Jazz

Alexey Kozlov will celebrate his 90th anniversary on October 13, 2025. Ahead of the anniversary, he told TASS about his journey, admitting that criticism and envy from academic musicians often spurred his professional growth.

In the period of decline of popularity of jazz in the 90s, Kozlov decided to refocus on educational activities, disassembling his team and creating a program with the participation of an academic ensemble. This led to the creation of concerts and an album with the Shostakovich Quartet. It is thanks to the combination of academic knowledge and jazz improvisation that modern Russian jazz has a rich historical and national basis, which is in demand in the world community.

Kozlov also reminisces about the challenges of spreading pop music in the '90s and talks about his participation in the program "Best of the Best" after he decided to retire and focus on promoting jazz music.

In general, Alexei Kozlov is optimistic about the future of Russian jazz, noting its development as an independent form that does not copy American culture. He sees in the basis of jazz a rich Russian tradition, national heritage and influence of the best examples of world culture. Despite the fact that limited horizons and narrow tastes can still hamper the development of individual musicians, Kozlov emphasizes the high level of jazz education in the country and the growing number of talented young professionals studying at Gnesinka and the Russian Academy of Jazz.