At the end of summer, Dubrovnik becomes the centre of the world jazz scene
From August 31st to September 2nd, the first edition of the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival will take place, bringing some of the greatest jazz musicians from around the world to Dubrovnik. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions about the music industry in the inspiring and extraordinary surroundings of the island of Lopud. Live performances by international artists, including award-winning jazz musicians from the USA, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Croatia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and other countries, will also be featured.
Lopud Island, one of the Adriatic's Elaphite gems just across from Dubrovnik, is known not only for its natural beauty but also as a unique cultural hub. The Ponta Lopud Film Festival, which was held for the third time this year, has been recognized as a platform for creative exchanges among film professionals. Starting this summer, it has gained its musical counterpart and will become a hub for jazz experts. Besides being a gathering of jazz enthusiasts, this festival offers an opportunity for all visitors to Dubrovnik to enjoy this unique musical event. Business guests can unwind with jazz melodies after a busy workday, and the festival can be a unique addition to incentive programs.
World-renowned Jazz Names Visiting Dubrovnik
The Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival will include a series of masterclasses and lectures for young professionals to hone their craft and exchange creative ideas with world-class musicians. One of them is undoubtedly the acclaimed saxophonist and Grammy winner, Joe Lovano, who will be a master at Lopud. Many other globally recognized jazz musicians will also participate. A lecture will be delivered by another Grammy winner, Mexican drummer Antonio Sánchez, known to Croatian audiences from the Ponta Lopud Film Festival, where he played the live score for the Academy Award-winning Film Birdman.
Participants can also look forward to lectures from the American-Croatian jazz vocalist, composer, and arranger Thana Alexa, who is also the artistic director of Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival. Other lectures will be conducted by Japanese pianist BIGYUKI, Australian bassist Lex Sadler, Puerto Rican saxophonist David Sánchez and bassist Ricky Rodriguez, Venezuelan pianist Luis Perdomo, Croatian drummer Lada Obradović, and French pianist David Tixier.
Free Concerts for a Broad Audience in the Grand Hotel's Impressive Architecture
Every festival evening, concerts by bands like Antonio Sanchez and Bad Hombre, Obradović and Tixier duo, and David Sanchez Group will take place in the beautiful gardens of the Grand Hotel. These performances will offer an unforgettable experience to all fans of this genre, connecting people worldwide through the freedom of expression. All performances are free of charge. After each concert, a jam session will follow, open to guest artists, participants, and musicians from Dubrovnik.
All information about the program and accompanying activities of the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival is available on the official website www.pontalopud.hr and through the festival's social media channels.