Intro: We insist!

Since the first days of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, we have felt the support and solidarity of the European music community, festival organizers, musicians and journalists. Citizen Jazz was among them. We were increasingly mentioned abroad - for example, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Institute, we had the opportunity to represent the platform at the Jazzahead! 2023 showcase, reviewing events and establishing new contacts.

During the showcase, we discussed the idea of a special issue of Meloport in the French edition of Citizen Jazz. Work on it began in late spring 2023. This collaboration gives us hope that we are finally getting back on track and will soon be able to tell more about the improv scene during the war, both in Ukraine and abroad.

The title of the issue is not accidental. It refers to drummer Max Roach's iconic album "We Insist!", which was created during the turbulent times of African social justice movements and the struggle for African American rights. The album has become one of the most striking examples of how music can be a powerful expression of one's own principles through creativity.

We insist! - special edition of Meloport in Citizen Jazz magazine (Ukrainian and French versions)

Ukrainian version

Articles/interviews:

Editorial: Citizen Jazz invite Meloport “We insist!”

Creativity of tough reality

Dennis Adu: The story of human unity

Yakiv Tsvetinskyi: Back home trough the world

Taras Kushniruk: Weather vanes of Lviv jazz

Maryna Kramarenko: “I have a desire to come back and restore”

Repair Together. Revival of the Toloka

Reviews:

Shapoval Sextet: Kobzareva Duma (Tomasz Grzegorczyk)