Ēriks Miezis

Ēriks Miezis, who is known mostly as a drummer, vibraphonist, improviser, composer, and arranger, represents a new generation of jazz musicians in Latvia. He works in both the jazz and classical music genres. Miezis began his education at the Jāzeps Mediņš Riga Music High School under Atis Vintuks. He later continued his studies in the jazz department at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and received his degree in Switzerland, from the Basel Music Academy under Urs Wiesner. Miezis has participated in numerous album recordings and projects as a guest artist and has collaborated with Edgars Cīrulis in such projects as Ainavisti and Serendipity. He has also collaborated with Miķelis Dzenuška, Aigars Raumanis, and Rūdolfs Rubenis in the KonBrio project. He participated in the recording of the Latvijas sajūtas album by the Jelgava Big Band, on which he played arrangements by Michael Abene, and has composed for the Trio Tresensus ensemble, presenting his compositions at the Sansusī festival in Latvia. Miezis is also a music reviewer, with his work having been published in such media as Jazzin.lv and Mūzikas Saule. He is likewise deeply involved in educational activities, giving workshops, collaborating with a variety of educational institutions, participating in youth summer camps, and leading various ensembles.