Nišville Jazz Festival 2012

The 29th International Jazz Festival “Nišville 2012” is being organized in the authentic ambient of Niš Fortress from August 16th till August 19th with the guests such as jazz legends Jon Cowherd Mercy Project ft. Patitucci, Brand New Heavies, Lullo Meier, Brussell Jazz Orchestra, Lydian Sound Orchestra, Osibisa…

Every evening during the Festival, Niš Fortress will be opening its gates to numerous fans of jazz music that will enjoy four days of great festival atmosphere, concerts, workshops and rich side program.

A two days festival dedicated to the “King of Roma music” born in Niš, Šaban Bajramović, is being organized as a unique introduction to Nišville Jazz Festival on August 14th and August 15th at the Nišava quay near the monument of this music legend. Performances of numerous local bands, as well as diverse side program including music workshops and exhibitions, are planned for this year.

Alexandre Cunha Quintet from Brazil, Dado Topic & Time after Time and Šaban Bajramović Interantional Tribute Band will pay tribute to the great Romany singer and composer with their performances on Tuesday, 14 August, while the band My People, Boban and Marko Marković’s Orchestra and “No Problem Orchestra” from Italy will perform on Wednesday 15th August.

Free music workshops for Music Academy and Music School students are being organized on different locations across the town. Here students have the unique opportunity to learn from prominent musicians and take lessons of piano, guitar, bass, drums, brass and woodwind instruments.

The Festival is the unique Jazz festival with the longest tradition in Southeastern Europe and its significance was also recognized by the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Serbia that designated it as a cultural event of national significance. Over years this Festival hosted names such as Donald Byrd, Lenny White, The Brand New Heavies, Billy Cobham… and more than 100,000 fans each year.

This year, Nisville Jazz Festival will also give an opportunity to people from other countries and cities to come to the festival, have a mini Jazz holiday and spend four days and four festival evenings for 100 €, including the tickets for all four days of festival.

Nišville 2012 – Main Program:

Thursday, August 16th

Jazzbooka

LSO (ITA)

Jean Luc Ponty (FR)

“Jazz Legend” is preparing an outstanding performance for this year’s Nišville. This outstanding musician and one of the greatest jazz and jazz rock violinists of our time is the prominent guest of this year’s Nišville Jazz Festival. According to numerous critics and connoisseurs of jazz music, Ponty is considered to be a pioneer and undisputed virtuosos of the violin, who was awarded the “Jazz Legend” award at the big Cork Jazz Festival in Ireland in 2011. This prominent musician worked with numerous musicians during his long music career, among whom is the legendary Frank Zappa who composed the music for Ponty’s album “King Kong” from 1969.

Osibisa (GB, Ghana)

Alexandre Cunha Quintet (BRA)

Jon Cowherd Mercy Project ft. Patitucci (USA)

Dream team of contemporary jazz, led by Jon Cowherd, is performing at this year’s Nišville. A real dream team of contemporary jazz, led by the pianist Jon Cowherd is performing at this year’s Nišville Jazz Festival. All Stars quartet is performing under the name “Jon Cowherd Mercy project“, named after the album published earlier this year. The members of the quartet are Jon Cowherd, one of the best jazz composers and arrangers, who worked on different projects along side great musicians such as Iggy Pop and Joni Mitchel; John Patitucci, double bass, one of the most popular and award-winning musicians of today and the double Grammy Award winner; Brian Blade, drums, and Steve Cardenas, a guitarist.

Friday, August 17th

Pedjazz (SRB)

EF Septet (TUR)

BJO ft Maria Joao & David Linx (BEL)

Jazzex (UKR)

Takuma and Bowie Funk Expirience (USA, NL)

Nema Problema (ITA)

Saturday, August 18th

Adrian Gaspar trio with guests: Gabriel Rosati & Lucian Nagy (AUT/ BRA/ ROM))

Amir Gwirtzman trio ft. (ISR)

Opus 5 (USA)

Lollo Meier quintet (NL)

Visitors of Nišville 2012 will have the opportunity to hear the unique sounds of gypsy swing. One of the best gypsy swing guitarists is performing on this year’s Nišville Jazz Festival with his quarter. Growing up listening to the sound of gypsy music, this outstanding musician comes from a family of prominent musicians, and today he’s one of celebrated composers and arrangers. Meier is also great pedagog who shares his experience and knowledge at workshops, and he has also founded on-line Gypsy Swing Academy.

The Night of Jazz Guitar ft Larry Coryell (GER/USA) ili Boban Marko Markovic (SER)

Mango Duende (BUL)

Sunday, August 19th

Lepi Jova (SRB)

Sentimental Swingers (BUL)

Anders Bergcrantz Band (SVE)

Get the blessing (GB)

Brand New Heavies (GB)

Pioneers of London acid jazz scene are returning once again to Nišville. After a spectacular performance at Nišville Jazz Festival 2008, pioneers of London acid jazz scene are returning to Niš bringing the sounds of their latest album “Dunk Your Trunk”, that was recorded in four days and published for free download, as well as some good “oldies”. The Brand New Heavies, founded in 1985 by drummer/keyboardist Jan Kincaid, guitarist Simon Bartholomey and bassist/keyboardist Andrew Leavy, over the years has built a cult status on the London club scene and have released 10 studio albums. N’Dea Davenport, an American artist and producer, best known as vocalist of The Brand New Heavies, is joining the crew.

Photo: www.nisville.com

Eyot (SRB)