Jazz Summer Sounds in the Serbian Countryside

While Belgrade has plenty of musical events over the summer, the warm weather is a good opportunity for music enthusiasts to catch some excellent festivals elsewhere around the country.

Ivan Blagojević Source: Nisville press team

The International Nissville Jazz Festival (Nis, August 9-12) is one of the most prestigious jazz festivals in the region. Both critics and fans have given it rave reviews both for promoting the authentic American art form of jazz, and for intertwining Balkan ethno-musical traditions with the festival’s identity.

Despite frequent funding problems with local and state institutions, the festival has prospered on the back of its fantastic programmes and the legendary hospitality of Nis’s local people.

This line-up this year includes Kenny Garrett, Lisa Simone, Inner Circle, Paz, Omar Hakim, Manhattan Transfer, Juke Joints Royal and many more. There are 11 stages at the festival, many of which feature free concerts.

We talk to the festival Founder and Director Mr Ivan Blagojevic.