Koktebel Jazz Festival
The Koktebel Jazz Festival is a jazz and world music festival in Ukraine. Until 2013 it used to take place annually in second week of September in Koktebel on the Black Sea coast. In 2014 it was held in Zatoka and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi (both in Odessa Oblast). About the festival. Koktebel Jazz Festival (KJF) kicked off in 2003 as an attempt to revive Koktebel's status as the cultural center of the region, back at its days famous all over the country. Since 2006, the festival is held in the second half of September, during so-called  velvet resort season. Despite its young age, the festival has already hosted performances by De-Phazz, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, Nino Katamadze, Us3 and others. Beside well-known names, organizers consider small and young bands. In 2008, festival community was launched (link), where anyone can file an application for participation. The best performers chosen by users voting will take part in the upcoming festival. The festival consists of two main stages, which host the festival program, additional stages and numerous jam-sessions. The main stages do not have any entrance fees and are located at the square right near the  water, so that the public can sit on the beach during the performance. Visitors and participants value the festival for its unofficial and democratic spirit, induced by the place itself, and the inspiring combination of the jazz and the sea. Remarkable nature of the Kara Dag volcanic mountain range located near Koktebel and range of wines and brandies grown on the vineyards nearby complete the picture. In 2014 the festival was not held in Crimea, but in Zatoka and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi (both in Odessa Oblast). History. 2003. Participants: 2004. July 15–18 Participants: 2005. August 15–21 Participants: 2006. September 14–17 Participants : 2007. September 21–23 Notable participants: 2008. September 19–21 Notable participants: 2009. September 10–13 Notable participants: 2010. September 9–12 Notable participants: 2011. September 15–18 Notable participants: 2012. August 29 - September 2 Notable participants: 2013. September 12–15 Notable participants: 2014. September 12–15 Notable participants: 2020. August 21–23 Participants: