Description
Papuna Sharikadze is a Georgian jazz pianist, composer, and singer. His musical journey began at the tender age of 6 when he showcased his talents by exploring various styles of music and playing classical compositions with chamber orchestras. As a dedicated and passionate artist, Papuna embarked on his professional jazz education in 2010 under the expert guidance of his mentor, Zura Ramishvili. Concurrently, he pursued rigorous training in classical music at the esteemed Paliashvili Central Music School of Tbilisi.
In 2014, Papuna’s commitment to excellence led him to the Berklee 5-Week Summer Program in Boston, with a full-tuition scholarship. This incredible opportunity propelled him to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the renowned Berklee College of Music, which he successfully obtained in 2019.
In recent years, Papuna has graced the stages of prestigious venues, captivating audiences with his performances. Notable among these venues are the iconic Blue Note in New York City, Birdland Jazz Club, Scullers Jazz Club, Regattabar, Berklee Performance Center, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, as well as the esteemed Tbilisi Concert Hall, and Tbilisi State Conservatoire.
Moreover, Papuna’s talent has also shone brightly at various esteemed music festivals, including the Saulkrasti Jazz Festival in 2012, the Umbria Jazz Festival in 2013, the Orvieto Jazz Festival in 2013, the Tbilisi Jazz Festival in 2017, and the Klaipeda Jazz Festival in 2021. These remarkable performances have allowed him to share the stage with internationally acclaimed artists, including Eddie Gomez, Terence Blanchard, Lenny White, Danilo Perez, Marshall Gilkes, John Benitez, Ralph Peterson, Hal Crook, Tia Fuller, and many others.