
NIKITA KORZOUN
Estonian saxophonist bringing back traditional jazz
“If there is one young musician from Estonia that I see making an important contribution to the art form of jazz today, it is Mr. Nikita Korzoun.“ – Holger Marjamaa
“Beautiful alto sound!” – Dave Liebman
Saxophonist Nikita Korzoun has always been interested in jazz. Nikita tries to bring back traditional jazz in his playing while definitely adding contemporary knowledge and skills. The artists who inspire him the most are Cannonball Adderley, Kenny Garrett, Michael Brecker, and McCoy Tyner. Nikita has performed at various festivals, including the international Visioon festival, Tudengijazz, Jazz Time, Jazzkaar, Jazz Across Borders, and others. Additionally, he won the Round Table competition concert in 2018. In 2021, he achieved second place at the Uno Naissoo competition with the ensemble Mäekalle-Korzoun Duo. In 2023, he won third place at the same competition with his composition “Apfelsoda,” and that same year, he was nominated for the Estonian Jazz Awards in the category of Young Jazz Talent. Nikita has also participated in the IASJ (International Association of Schools of Jazz) conference led by Dave Liebman, where he enhanced his skills and knowledge by playing alongside talented musicians from around the world. He has played with Dave Liebman, Jukkis Uotila, Aaron Goldberg, Anders Jormin, Tim Hagans, and many others.
Nikita has collaborated with many top figures of the Estonian jazz scene, including Holger Marjamaa, Aleksander Paal, Siim Aimla, Ara Yaralyan, Janno Trump, Ramuel Tafenau, Raul Sööt, Sofia Rubina, Jason Hunter, Jaan Jaanson, Tõnu Naissoo, and others. Additionally, Nikita has performed in Estonia with major ensembles such as the New Wind Jazz Orchestra, Estonian Dream Big Band (both as a soloist and section player), Tallinn Police Big Band, and International Youth Big Band. Abroad, Nikita has had the opportunity to play with top musicians such as Jussi Lehtonen, Lee Pearson II, Benny Bennack III, Joe Peri, Corcoran Holt, Vernell Brown Jr, Ronald Bruner Jr, Tom van der Zaal, Daan Kleijn, Charlie Porter, and others.