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2023

64th Jazz Festival Ljubljana with Fresh Inspiration

It is with great pleasure that we announce the programme of the 64th Jazz Festival Ljubljana. The dates have been only slightly modified, and the festival now takes place in early July. The concept of the Council of Europe Park as the festival’s focal point has been reinforced, which has further enriched and diversified the programme. We continue to pursue an approach that, through manifestations of contemporary (extra-)jazz practices, serves to build a community – both the music community and one bonded through music. Featuring, as always, several new developments. 

After a lapse of several years, the opening event is returning to the unique setting of Ljubljana’s Križanke theatre. Here, Slovenia will welcome for the first time (!) a major figure on London’s current music scene, Alfa Mist, and the return of one of the most strikingly original self-made avant-garde pop artists, Benjamin Clementine. Ties will again be strengthened across artificially-mapped national borders through collaborations between foreign and national artists – this year vocalist Nina Virant’s VIRA project will include Norwegian drummer Gard Nilssen. One of recent years’ most prominent saxophonists, Lakecia Benjamin, is making her Slovenian debut, and John Zorn, a pivotal figure on New York’s improv scene, is returning with a new edition of his combo Masada. Zlatko Kaučič’s performance marks the percussionist’s career milestone. Which finally brings us to this year’s artist-in-residence, percussionist Domen Cizej, who will join three different bands to play three concerts. Organised together with the .abeceda Institute and presented on the Old Tree Stage is a programme of young sound explorers and new artists to watch. The festival’s traditional photography exhibition, this time by Nika Hölcl Praper, is dedicated to Zlatko Kaučič’s 70th birthday and more than 40 years in music.