Ponta Lopud Creative Platform continues its artistic program this year with a jazz festival, set to take place from August 29 to 31

In a little over a month, the island of Lopud will once again become the epicentre of jazz music, thanks to the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival. In this unique setting of peace and natural beauty, jazz professionals will have the opportunity to engage in discussions about the industry with some of the most renowned jazz musicians from around the world. The second edition of this festival will be held
in the distinctive ambience of the Grand Hotel garden from August 29 to 31.

The festival program on Lopud is enriched by the presence of top-tier jazz performers, including jazz master Kenny Werner, a Grammy-nominated pianist and director of the Effortless Mastery Institute at Berklee College of Music. Attendees will also enjoy performances by Grammy-winning bassist Linda May Han Oh, leading her dynamic group The Glass Hours, and Grammy-winning vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, performing with her quartet. Additionally, singer-songwriter Thana Alexa, whose album ONA (2021) was Grammy-nominated, will perform with special guests, multi-award-winning musicians Antonio Sanchez and Michael League. This remarkable group of internationally acclaimed artists will reside on the island and serve as performers and mentors throughout the festival.

A selected group of musicians from Croatia and neighbouring countries will be personally invited to participate in the festival. The goal is to build a community through daily discussions on the state of the industry, performances, evening jam sessions, and unforgettable experiences offered by the island of Lopud.

“This festival is not only about music; it is also an opportunity for up-and-coming musicians to refine their skills with the support of world-class jazz musicians. The Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival promises an unforgettable experience for all participants and visitors”, stressed Tilda Grossel Bogdanović, founder of the Ponta Lopud Creative Platform.

Each morning of the festival will begin with an open masterclass discussion, featuring the jazz master and band members. Following the discussion, there will be a second masterclass and/or participant jam session led by the festival mentors—musicians from each of the performing bands. These workshops are intended for young professionals to hone their craft and share creative ideas with accomplished musicians who provide a global perspective to Lopud.

“My mission is to bring to Lopud internationally recognized artists I have had the pleasure of meeting outside of Croatia as well as incredibly talented musicians from Croatia and the surrounding region. The inaugural edition of Ponta Lopud Jazz exceeded all our expectations. We witnessed the magic of creating art, cooperation, support, and a true love for music”, emphasized Thana Alexa, co-founder and artistic director of the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival.

Admission to the jazz concerts is free for all visitors. During the festival, from August 29 to 31, free boat transfers will be organized for the audience from Dubrovnik. The Argosy boat will depart daily from Gruž Port (across from the market) and from Lopud in front of the Lafodia Hotel.

The Ponta Lopud Creative Platform hosts and presents three summer cultural programs in 2024, welcoming all art lovers, especially those passionate about film, music, and literature. The Ponta Lopud Summer Screenings, celebrating the art of film, was the first of three events held from June 27 to 29. The second event, which will attract music lovers to the island from August 29 to 31, is the popular Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival. The third, new addition to the creative platform is the Ponta Lopud Book Bridge, a festival running from September 27 to 29, rounding off the summer festivities and closing Lopud’s cultural-artistic season.

For more information about the program, schedule, and screenings, visit jazz.pontalopud.hr and follow the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival on social media!