Igor Sandler
Musician, Producer, Entrepreneur and Cultural Leader
Igor Sandler is a musician, music producer, entrepreneur, publisher and cultural leader with more than 45 years of experience in the music and creative industries. He is an Honoured Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation and an Honoured Worker of Industry of the Moscow Region.
He is the founder of the Igor Sandler Production Centre, the Igor Sandler Foundation for the Support of Gifted Children and Young People, and the SandlerFest International Progressive Music Festival.
He is the founder of the Igor Sandler Production Centre, the Igor Sandler Foundation for the Support of Gifted Children and Young People, and the SandlerFest International Progressive Music Festival.
Professional Background
A classically trained musician, Igor Sandler began his professional career in the Soviet rock scene. From 1978 to 1982, he was the keyboard player and musical director of Bari Alibasov’s band Integral. In 1980, the band became a prize-winner at Spring Rhythms: Tbilisi-80, the first major rock festival in the Soviet Union.
He later founded the band Index-398, which toured throughout the Soviet Union and developed original rock interpretations of classical music. In the late 1980s, Sandler moved to the United Kingdom, where he established Red Rock, one of the first Russian-British rock bands.
Throughout his career, he has worked with established international musicians and has supported the development of emerging performers. Joe Lynn Turner, the former lead vocalist of Deep Purple and Rainbow, described him as “a bridge between cultures” who understands both Russian and Western music from within.
He later founded the band Index-398, which toured throughout the Soviet Union and developed original rock interpretations of classical music. In the late 1980s, Sandler moved to the United Kingdom, where he established Red Rock, one of the first Russian-British rock bands.
Throughout his career, he has worked with established international musicians and has supported the development of emerging performers. Joe Lynn Turner, the former lead vocalist of Deep Purple and Rainbow, described him as “a bridge between cultures” who understands both Russian and Western music from within.
Cultural Projects
In 2013, Igor Sandler established the Igor Sandler Foundation for the Support of Gifted Children and Young People. The Foundation develops educational, cultural, concert and festival initiatives designed to identify young talent and provide meaningful opportunities for professional development.
Its projects include the Golden Note International Competition for Young Performers, a music school and children’s rock school, concert programmes, educational initiatives and major music festivals.
Igor Sandler is also the founder and producer of SandlerFest, an international progressive music festival held at VDNKh in Moscow. The festival brings together performers working across rock, jazz, blues, folk, fusion, country and other related genres.
SandlerFest combines internationally recognised artists with emerging performers and gives young musicians access to major stages and new audiences. Its guiding principle is: “Intelligent music for intelligent people". The festival’s motto reflects Igor Sandler’s wider cultural philosophy: “Politics divides; music unites".
Its projects include the Golden Note International Competition for Young Performers, a music school and children’s rock school, concert programmes, educational initiatives and major music festivals.
Igor Sandler is also the founder and producer of SandlerFest, an international progressive music festival held at VDNKh in Moscow. The festival brings together performers working across rock, jazz, blues, folk, fusion, country and other related genres.
SandlerFest combines internationally recognised artists with emerging performers and gives young musicians access to major stages and new audiences. Its guiding principle is: “Intelligent music for intelligent people". The festival’s motto reflects Igor Sandler’s wider cultural philosophy: “Politics divides; music unites".
Business Interests
Alongside his work in music and culture, Igor Sandler has extensive entrepreneurial experience. After returning to Russia in the early 1990s, he developed successful businesses in the food industry, including the patented Zebra range of chocolate-coated curd snacks and the Tevye the Dairyman brand of dairy products.
His achievements in business enabled him to invest in his principal passion — music. He has directed significant resources towards developing his production centre and recording studios, supporting emerging artists, delivering educational programmes and organising large-scale music festivals.
Today, Igor Sandler’s business interests are focused on the music industry and the creative economy, including music and artist production, recording, concert and festival management, music education, publishing and media. He is particularly interested in international cultural collaboration, strategic partnerships and socially significant projects that connect established industry leaders with the next generation of creative talent.
Today, Igor Sandler’s business interests are focused on the music industry and the creative economy, including music and artist production, recording, concert and festival management, music education, publishing and media. He is particularly interested in international cultural collaboration, strategic partnerships and socially significant projects that connect established industry leaders with the next generation of creative talent.
Club Profile
As a member of MBN Club, Igor Sandler brings extensive experience at the intersection of culture, entrepreneurship, media and international collaboration. His professional network, production expertise and commitment to supporting emerging talent create opportunities for partnerships in music, education, festivals, media and the wider creative economy.
He is open to meaningful professional dialogue, international cultural initiatives, strategic partnerships and projects that connect established industry leaders with the next generation of creative talent.
He is open to meaningful professional dialogue, international cultural initiatives, strategic partnerships and projects that connect established industry leaders with the next generation of creative talent.