Athens Jazz Festival 2024 – 26 May to 03 June

Introduction

The sound of jazz vibrates through the ancient city of Athens, where history and music intersect to create an unforgettable experience for the culturally curious. Here, the Athens Jazz Festival has become a revered tradition, marking the beginning of summer and the opening of the city’s concert season.

For the 23rd consecutive year, jazz aficionados and novices alike are invited to immerse themselves in the rhythm and spirit of this iconic event.

The Jazz Beat of Athens: A Harmonious History

The Athens Jazz Festival was born from the soul of the city, an ode to the power of music to unite and uplift. In 2001, the Technopolis City of Athens hosted the first European Jazz Festival, a collaboration with the EU member states’ diplomatic missions and educational institutions in Greece.

This groundbreaking event laid the foundation for what would become a cultural institution, not just for Athens, but for all of Greece. With each passing year, the festival has evolved and expanded, inviting jazz from across the globe to merge with the rich musical tapestry of the Mediterranean.

It’s not just about the music—through the years, the event has become a platform for artists to create, collaborate, and innovate, feeding into the vibrant cultural scene that characterizes modern Athens.

Syncopations and Schedules: Athens Jazz Festival 2024

The Athens Jazz Festival 2024 is poised to be an eclectic celebration, showcasing a rich tapestry of jazz genres from traditional bebop to avant-garde, funk, and beyond. With a meticulously curated lineup, the festival promises an array of performances that will resonate with jazz enthusiasts of all preferences.

Each day of the festival is structured to offer a crescendo of musical experiences, starting with the contemplative tones of solo performers in the early afternoon and building up to the collective euphoria of big band performances as the night falls.

The festival’s schedule is a well-thought-out symphony of events, taking place at various iconic locations within the Technopolis City of Athens. Picture this: the sun sets, casting a golden glow over the city, as the sounds of a saxophone echo against ancient stones, and the air fills with anticipation.

Whether you’re a die-hard jazz aficionado or simply curious about the genre, the Athens Jazz Festival 2024 offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the spectrum of jazz music, all within the enchanting setting of one of the world’s oldest cities.

Stay tuned for the release of the full festival programme, featuring a detailed schedule of performances, artist bios, and information on special festival events that promise to make this year’s edition truly unforgettable.

Playing the Main Stage: Artists and Performances

The Athens Jazz Festival 2024, now in its 23rd edition, is set to be an extraordinary showcase of the vibrant world of jazz. With a special focus on the Greek jazz scene, this year’s event promises an exhilarating experience. From May 26 to June 3, Athens Technopolis will transform into a haven for jazz lovers, offering nine days of musical celebration. Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply enjoy live performances, this festival is not to be missed.

Featuring a captivating opening performance by Meute and a thrilling finale by BadBadNotGood, the festival highlights the wealth of talent from Greece. A dedicated day celebrating Greek artists underscores the festival’s support for local talent, alongside international jazz icons.

Andreas Polyzogopoulos Trio – Greece / Official participation

Led by the internationally acclaimed trumpeter and composer Andreas Polyzogopoulos, this trio is known for its thoughtful and original jazz compositions. Their latest work, Petrichor, is an ethereal and deeply spiritual project that creates a warm, spacious jazz soundscape despite the deliberate absence of percussion. Their music, praised for honouring silence and crafting dreams, showcases a warm, velvety trumpet sound enriched by the excellent rhythm section of Petros Klampanis on double bass and Wajdi Riahi on piano.

MOb Trio – Greece / New musical proposal

MOb Trio, consisting of Marios Valianakis (saxophone, live electronics), Alexandros Delis (bass, guitar, effects), and Panagiotis Kostopoulos (drums), introduces a dynamic sound that defies stasis. Their music—a blend of electronic melodious jazz, kraut, cinematic explorations, and post-punk—is characterized by open forms that beautifully merge tonal and atonal elements. The trio’s soundscape, marked by synthesizers, effects, loops, and drones, invites audiences into a world where improvisation navigates between melodic creation and the construction of complex sound atmospheres.

Yan Van & Fotis Siotas – Greece / Jazz+

The duo Yan Van (Yiannis Aggelopoulos on drums, synths) and Fotis Siotas (violin, effects) defines a unique sound space they describe as post-traditional music from Greece. Blending, enriching, and rhythmically shifting elements of the wider Greek music tradition, they bridge the familiar with the unexpected. Their music, augmented by synthesizers and live processing of sound with analog and digital effects, offers a fresh take on traditional sounds, crafting a post-traditional blend that is truly special.

The artistic committee, comprising George Charonitis, George Muchtaridis, and Leonidas Antonopoulos, selected these artists from numerous high-level candidates. Their talent not only stood out among the rest but also promises to present a diverse and rich musical experience to the wide audience that the Athens Jazz Festival gathers each year.

Cultural Echoes in Concert Halls: Technopolis City of Athens

Technopolis City of Athens is not your average concert venue. What sets it apart is its layered history and its transformation from a disused gasworks to a beacon of cultural vibrancy. This industrial relic, repurposed with a vision for the arts, is emblematic of Athens’s ability to reinvent itself while respecting its past.

Surrounded by a thriving metropolis that seamlessly blends ancient landmarks with contemporary life, Technopolis provides the perfect setting for a festival that harmonizes tradition with innovation. Its role in fostering artistic endeavors, as well as educational programs and events that span the full spectrum of the arts, makes it a natural host for the Athens Jazz Festival.

A Celebration of Jazz Excellence in the Heart of Technopolis.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Athens Jazz Festival 2024, an eclectic celebration of jazz that promises to enchant and inspire. From thrilling live performances by global jazz icons to the innovative sounds of Greece’s finest, this festival is a must-attend for anyone passionate about music.

Secure your spot at this unforgettable event and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of jazz, all set against the backdrop of the historic Technopolis City of Athens. For more information on the festival schedule, artist line-ups, and special events, visit https://cityfestival.thisisathens.org/en/23rd-athens-jazz/.