Jazz Fest Sarajevo

The Jazz Fest Sarajevo (Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian: Sarajevski džez festival / Сарајевски џез фестивал) is an international music festival held annually during the first week of November in Sarajevo and is the largest of its kind in Southeastern Europe.

The Jazz Fest Sarajevo is an annual celebration of contemporary music based on jazz and improvised music, and it has been a regular attraction since 1997. The week-long event presents jazz musicians from 60 countries in over 300 concerts.

Background 
Jazz Fest Sarajevo is an annual celebration of contemporary music based on jazz-related and improvised music. The festival program features well-known musicians from around the world, but also invites new and prospective artists for performances in several venues around the city. In the past 20 years it has earned a reputation of a trend setting international music festival in the Balkan region, with more than 770 artists, who have presented more than 270 different ensembles to audiences.

Live releases recorded at Jazz Fest Sarajevo 

 Live in Sarajevo by Norwegian saxophonist, tenor and composer Håkon Kornstad is a recording of his solo performance held at 18th Jazz Fest Sarajevo 2014, released by Jazzland Recordings in 2015.
 The composition "Adhān" by Arve Henriksen from his album Places of Worship, released by Runne Grammofon in 2013, is a field recording from his performance at 2nd Xenophonia in 2010.
 Live! by Bosnian vocalist Amira Medunjnanin was recorded in 2008 at 12th Jazz Fest Sarajevo and released by Gramofon the following year.
 Very Much Alive by Norwegian drummer Paolo Vinaccia, released by Jazzland Recordings in 2010, features a concert of the Terje Rypdal Trio held at 6th Jazz Fest Sarajevo 2002.

Related events 
Kid's Day is held traditionally on a Sunday, always the last festival day, when kids of age 3 to 12 have the chance to enjoy a concert with a repertoire of jazz standards rearranged especially for the occasion, followed by a workshop, "Meet the Instruments", where they prove, every year anew, that free chocolate and natural juices are the best fuel for uncontrolled music making.

Music Meeting Sarajevo is a program designed for young musicians and music students from the  Western Balkans region, which is held within the festival's program. It offers a unique opportunity for participants to meet the festival's artists and showcase their talent on the Late Nite Stage program through jam sessions. Additionally, the program serves as a platform for future collaborations among young musicians who may have limited opportunities to participate in similar events due to the aftermath of the Balkan wars in the 1990s.

Xenophonia was initiated by Jazz Fest Sarajevo as a platform for collaboration between local and international artists, with the aim to enable a way for Bosnian and Herzegovenian musicians to position themselves on the international music scene.

Personnel 
Edin Zubčević – founder and artistic director

Djana Karavdić – head of office

Eric Bajramović – head of production

Mina Maglić – box office and assistance

Past programs

References 

"Sarajevo Jazz Festival 2016" Francesco Martinelli. All About Jazz. USA. November 18, 2016.

"The Times They Are A-Changin, Lars Mossefin. salt-peanuts*. Norway. November 7, 2016.

"Re-creation: Jazz as a tool for social cohesion Jazz Fest Sarajevo/Banlieus Bleus" Fiona Goh. Strength in numbers 2, A study by Europe Jazz Network. 2016.

Annual events in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Autumn events in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Festivals in Sarajevo
Jazz festivals in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tourist attractions in Sarajevo