Russian band Guru Groove Foundation received People's Choice Award — a statuette from the Smolensk Diamonds company — on day one of the Koktebel Jazz Party international festival. The winner was chosen based on the volume of applause measured with a clap-o-meter following each performance.
On August 23, the festival's Main Stage hosted performances by K.I.M.M Quartet featuring guitarist Alexei Kuznetsov, as well as American trumpeter, composer and six-time Grammy winner Randy Brecker, accompanied by SG Big Band led by saxophonist Sergei Golovnya.