Jazz has been part of Plovdiv’s traditions and culture for decades. Plovdiv Jazz Fest is the successor of a ten-year tradition taking over from the Plovdiv Jazz Evenings festival and welcoming every November some of the world’s most influential jazz artists. Eliane Elias will open the festival on 31st October, and Jan Garbarek will close it on 3rd November. Special guests include Dave Holland Quartet, Dena DeRose, Theodosii Spassov & Vlatko Stefanovski.
A string of accompanying events - masterclasses, jam sessions and exhibitions, among other features - will complement the main programme this year. A prize for 'lifetime achievement in jazz' has been set up, and there will be a competition for young jazz performers.
Plovdiv Jazz Fest is a highlight in the programme of Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture 2019. The international music festival for jazz music and culture is being organized by the singer Miroslava Katsarova and her company Blue M.