Giorgi Mikadze

Biography

Giorgi Mikadze was born in Tbilisi, Georgia and began playing piano at the age of five. His outstanding musical talents were discovered when he was just two years old. The first time Giorgi performed piano concerto with the symphony orchestra was when he turned 12. Together with performing, he absorbed classical music studies and began composing at the age of 14. While attending high school, Giorgi discovered jazz and quickly fell in love with it.

In 2006, Mikadze entered V. Saradjishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire. After founding a quartet, his career took off. He performed at various jazz festivals including: Montreux Jazz Festival, Bean Town Jazz Festival, Kavkaz Jazz Festival, Black Sea Jazz Festival, and Berklee's High School Jazz Festival. Mikadze graduated from V. Saradjishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire in 2010, after which he entered Berklee College of Music, on a full-tuition scholarship.

Noted for his fantastic skills as a pianist and composer in all styles, Mikadze has performed with the Tbilisi and Berklee Symphony Orchestras, composed for plays at the Rustaveli National Theatre in Georgia, He was a musical director for Berklee's tribute to Quincy Jones and a Berklee Commencement Concert. He has also played in jazz settings with renowned artists such as: Jack Dejohnette, Roy Hargrove, Dave Liebman Meshell Ndegeocello, Chris Potter, Matt Garrison, Tia Fuller, Patti Austin, Jojo Mayer, David Fiuczynski, Brett Dennen, Siedah Garrett, Stefon Harris, Amen Saleem, Lee Ritenour, Phil Wilson and Mulatu Astatke.

Giorgi was selected for the highly competitive Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Program at the Kennedy Center where he performed for three nights. He has won prizes in many national and international competitions and was awarded a full-tuition scholarship at the International Festival-Institute in Round Top, Texas. Giorgi has also won scholarships from the president of Georgia, Eteri Andjapharidze, Giya Kancheli, and former Berklee professor Emmanuel Zambelli.

Giorgi graduated from Berklee in May 2014, and received a Master's Degree from the Manhattan School of Music in May 2016.