2nd Aegina Jazz Festival

Following the tremendous success of the 1st Aegina Jazz Festival last July—welcoming 1,200 attendees and receiving outstanding reviews from both artists and audiences—the festival returns even stronger, with an international line-up, a strong female presence, and an upgraded visual identity.

On July 17–18, 2026, at the former Prisons of Aegina, Jazz Solidarity Network presents a dynamic and carefully curated program featuring leading names from the Greek and international jazz scene, along with surprises that will once again keep audiences talking for months.

The festival will open with the iconic voice of the world-jazz scene—and ECM recording artist—Savina Yannatou, accompanied by Spyros Manesis, one of the leading pianists and composers of his generation. In their performance, they explore the coexistence of different musical worlds through a live improvisational dialogue, ranging from works by Greek composers to Mediterranean traditions and free jazz.

This year, the international color of the festival will be brought by the Seville jazz scene (Assejazz) with “Proyecto Jazz Colombia.” The band stands out for its romantic compositions and the tender voice of Colombian guitarist Juana Gaitán, accompanied by leading Andalusian musicians Bernardo Parrilla (winds), Javier Delgado (double bass), and Nacho Megina (percussion).

The second day of the festival will begin with one of the most historic jazz trios of the Greek scene, Human Touch, featuring Stavros Lantsias (piano, drums), Yiotis Kiourtsoglou (bass), and David Lynch (winds). They will present their new vibrant album, Colorblind.

The festival will close in the most danceable way, hosting the eight-member ensemble Kapten from Thessaloniki. Kapten perform a musical blend combining the exotic charm of Ethiopian jazz, melancholic cinematic soul, as well as hip-hop, funk, and underground rock rhythms that truly move you. The band consists of: Panagiotis Kapetanakis (trumpet), Thanos Tsakiltzidis (saxophone), Alexandra Karabournioti (vocals), Nikos Tsop (vocals), Grigoris Liolios (guitar), Maquitto (bass), Thomas Kostoulas (drums), and Alexis Makatselos (drums).

Special guests on the first day will be Floros Floridis and Akilas Karazisis, in a collaboration that will link the present with the history of the Aegina Prison, where the event is being held.

On the second day, Natasha Martin and Aggeliki Toubanaki will interact with the audience to co-create music on the spot, using only their bodies as instruments.

The festival’s visual identity has once again been created by designer Vangelis Fokas. This year, he draws inspiration from the renowned visual artist Yannis Moralis, incorporating one of his sculptures creatively into the festival’s communication materials.

All festival profits (if any) will be dedicated to supporting and promoting the work of artists of the Jazz Solidarity Network, specifically contributing to the continuation of the historic project “The Greek Jazz Book” (under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture).