Urmas Lattikas

b. August 17, 1960, Tapa
Member of the Estonian Composers' Union since 2000
Member of the Estonian Jazz Union since 2010

Composer, jazz pianist and ensemble leader Urmas Lattikas graduated from Tallinn State Conservatory in composition under Prof. Eino Tamberg in 1986. 1990–1991 he studied jazz composition and piano in Berklee College of Music under the guidance of William Davies.

1991–1995, Lattikas worked in Estonian Radio orchestra and big band. From 1982, Urmas Lattikas has been active as a pianist in jazz quintet of his own name, part of the music written to the band has come out on compendiums "Hämaras toas" (In Dusky Room, Melodija, 1986), Try to Be Yourself (1989) and Freedom to Love, Freedom to Lose (Forte, 1992). In 2011, Urmas Lattikas's author CD "Ööliblika tants" (Largo Records) with his music from 2010 and 1992 was released.
Urmas Lattikas Ensemble, to which the best jazz musicians have belonged to through years, has participated in most of the jazz festivals in Estonia, but also in USA, Germany, Czech, Finland, Sweden and Russia. In 1994, Lattikas conducted Estonian song at Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin.

Lattikas has written symphonic, choral and instrumental music, music for film and theatre. His works have been performed by NYYD Ensemble, saxophonist Heli Reimann, organist Ulla Villenthal, baritone Villu Valdmaa a.o. Song for children’s choir "Üks vanaaegne lauluviis" ("Tune in old style", co-author Raimo Kangro, text by Leelo Tungal) was in the program of the IX Youth Song Celebration. Choral song "Väike maa" ("Little land", text by Leelo Tungal) was performed by joint choirs in the XXV Song Celebration in 2009. In the same year, "Armastus jääb" ("Love remains") accompanied a dance in the XVIII Dance Celebration. The second part of his oeuvre is formed by jazz and popular music. He is known as an arranger in jazz, pop and classic style as well.

Lattikas has been awarded the first prize at Uno Naissoo Composition Contest in 1983 and 1984. In 1990, he was given Estonian Popular Musicians Club award Levi-Jaagup. Organ piece Touch shared the 2nd and 3rd prize at the Artur Kapp competition of new organ works in 2003. Lattikas's music for play Collaborators in Estonian Drama Theatre was awarded the Estonian Theatre Annual Prize 2014.

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