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.

Background
Established in 1997, Jazz Fest Sarajevo is an annual celebration of contemporary music based on jazz-related and improvised music. The festival program features well-known jazz musicians from around the world, as well as new and upcoming artists 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 600 artists performing at over 270 different concerts.

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