November 7, 2012: The year 2012 is an anniversary year for Russian Jazz music. Ninety years ago, in 1922, Russian poet, translator, choreographer and musician Valentin Parnakh, a native of Taganrog, founded the First Eccentric Orchestra of the Russian Federated Socialist Republic - Valentin Parnakh's Jazz Band, which held its debut concert in the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts GITIS on October 1, 1922, in Moscow. The date is considered to be the foundation day of the Soviet Jazz music. Parnakh's jazz band of New Orleans style greatly influenced the artists of Russian avant-garde of those days.

The 9th International festival "Rostov Jazz Welcomes", which is to be held in Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog and Azov on November 23-27, 2012, will be held under motto "Countdown to the Century". November 24, 2012 , a memorial plaque will be inaugurated on the birth house of the poet in Taganrog - the home city of Valentin Parnakh.

The characteristic feature of the festival is that each year it is expanding in size and geography of participants. Alongside with jazz musicians from Moscow and Saint Petersburg, performers from Belarus ("Classic Jazz-Trio" directed by Starchenko), Ukraine ("Anton Tkachev Quartet"), Bashkiria, Russia ("Funky House Band" led by Oleg Yangurov), and an international band "Tim Mitchell Band": Tim Mitchell Richardson (USA), Patti Ballinas (Mexico), Victor Tugores Rodriques (Spain), Unai Iker (Spain), Hermes Trismegistus (Philippines).

The organizers of the 9th International festival "Rostov Jazz Welcomes" are: The Rostov State Rakhmaninov Conservatory, Rostov Art College, Rostov branch of the Russian Union of Journalists, and supported by Rostov Oblast Governemnt and Taganrog Municipality.

The event in Taganrog starts on November 24 at 6:00PM at Taganrog Palace of Culture FESTIVALNY on Lenin Street, 212.