TIRANA, July 25 – The seventh international Jazz in Albania festival returned this week in the capital and in Fier with jazz bands coming from Europe and the US.
Lasting for one week, from July 24 to July 28, the festival’s organizers upped their game this year inviting ten bands from Turkey, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain, Austria, Israel, Italy, Belgium and the US.
Jazz in Albania 2018 promises a variety of styles and artistic individuality at its latest edition, with qualitative music, workshops and a number of other surprises reserved for the audience.
Festival organizer Besim Petrela said the international and local bands will transmit a myriad of emotions to music lovers, while artistic Director Gent Rushi told local media this festival doesn’t just belong to the public, but also to the artists, whose music speaks of its importance on its own accord.
“It is a pleasure to work at a time when it’s difficult to make qualitative music. I am here to present the bands, but everything I could say is vague, so you have to come and see them by yourself. Words before music are lukewarm, what is special about the festival is the variety of styles and artistic individuality,” Rushi said.
In Fier, the jazz festival will be hosted at the UNESCO protected Apollonia site – the ruins of an ancient Greek city located on the right-bank of modern day Vjosa River, as one of Albania’s most magical ancient landmarks.
“Eight musicians from Nis, eight from Sarajevo and eight from Tirana will come together do organize workshops with local authorities, which will be finalized through a concert in Fier’s Apollonia and Tirana’s Rogner Hotel. All three countries’ chosen music work has been pre-selected and they will show for the public. It is a very special feature, because it aims to support the new generation of artists,” Petrela said.
A number of instrumentalists will participate in the workshops, offering both students and art-lovers to learn and play jazz music.
“I think it will work and I hope it will bring a serious jazz department to our faculty in the future. I am very hopeful, we will have fun coming together with the other groups. And it will result in a majestic music fest,” saxophonist Ermal Rodi said.
The festival will take place every night at eight pm at the above-mentioned venues, combining the acts and workshop end results in a series of captivating art shows. More information on the band schedule can be found on the festival’s official webpage.
