Jazz Appreciation Month
This month is all about jazz. This swinging genre with blue notes, complex chords, incredible vocals and lots of improvisation has been uniting people all over the world for centuries. Take your chance to enjoy both well-known icons of jazz and upcoming artists with these European jazz festivals.
38th April Jazz Festival
19 - 27 April 2024 / Espoo, Helsinki & Lahti, Finland
Previously hosting some of the largest jazz superstars, April Jazz Festival is back for its 38th edition. It is the largest jazz festival in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area where you can view a wide spectrum of Finnish and international rhythm music stars. They have previously featured stars such as Ray Charles, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner and Sonny Rollins as well as the most popular vocalists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diane Schuur, Cassandra Wilson, Bobby McFerrin and Gregory Porter.
Discover the programme for this year’s edition here.
Picture credits: April Jazz’s Webpage
3rd Jazzfest Budapest
27 April - 16 May 2024 / Budapest, Hungary
With their 3rd edition, Jazzfest Budapest’s festival programme focuses on European jazz. The festival takes place throughout the entire city with the goal to put Budapest back on the world map of music, ultimately becoming the capital of music. In their colourful programme, they offer joint productions of both domestic and foreign performers, allowing Hungarian artist to create an international presence.
Follow the festival’s Facebook page for more information.
Picture credits: JAZZFEST BUDAPEST’s Facebook page
Today It’s All About Jazz
30 April 2024 / Skopje, North Macedonia
Celebrating jazz on International Jazz Day, 30 April, ‘Today It’s All About Jazz’ is staging its 7th edition. Its yearly motto “to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role in uniting people in all corners of the world” perfectly represents the festival since jazz musicians from both a local and international scale are featured. The festival will include a children’s programme, jazz workshops led by top jazz musicians and educators, and concerts. A perfect opportunity to explore jazz at an outdoor location, while circulating through the different broadening activities.
Take a look at the festival’s website for more information.
Picture credits: Promotion article from Sloboden Pečat - Macedonian daily newspaper
Sõru Jazz
13 - 16 June 2024 / Orjaku, Sõru & Emmaste, Estonia
Enjoy a wide range of variety in music at the 16th edition of the Sõru Jazz festival with a beautiful view on a small Estonian island. Offering both music for serious jazz fans as well as lovers of pop, soul and funk, each jazz fanatic will find something for their soul. Early risers can enjoy hiking in the beautiful scenery while night owls can enjoy some meditative music or dance the night away to some cool beats. Including a programme for children, the Sõru Jazz festival promises to be one of the cosiest jazz festivals in Estonia, surrounded by nature, sea and birdsong.
Follow the festival’s Facebook page for more information.
Picture credits: Sõru Jazz’s Facebook page
Edinburgh Jazz&Blues Festival 2024
12 – 21 July 2024 / Edinburgh, United Kingdom
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival has been showcasing the best Jazz and Blues artists for over 40 years. As one of the largest jazz festivals in Europe, Edinburgh Jazz&Blues Festival offers over 170 performances held over 10 days. Providing a diverse range of styles, including blues, funk and hip-hop, the free Mardi Gras and Carnival events appeal to a wide audience. The festival showcases both major international jazz names as well as upcoming young artists and homegrown Scottish artists, making sure everyone is heard.
Follow the festival’s Facebook page to discover more.
Picture credits: Edinburgh Jazz&Blues Festival’s Facebook page
