24th edition of Gent Jazz kicks off with scintillating international lineup
The 24th edition of Gent Jazz kicks starts on Friday at the historic Bijloke site in Ghent. Over the course of 12 days, the festival will host numerous international headliners across its main and garden stages.
The festival opens with jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Philip Catherine, setting the tone for a rich and varied programme that includes names such as Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt, Max Richter, Ibrahim Maalouf, Massive Attack, Mont Kimbie and Leon Bridges. Tickets for Max Richter sold out in record time, prompting organisers to add an extra festival day to accommodate demand.
This is the third edition organised by Greenhouse Talent, which took over the festival in 2022. “A total of 93 bands will be coming, including twenty international big names,” says Liesbeth Rubben of Greenhouse Talent. While the structure remains similar to last year’s expanded format, the programming continues to evolve.
© GENT JAZZ
One of the festival highlights is the Gent Jazz Talent competition, which returns on 18 July. From 73 entries, three finalists (Bex, Ola Tunji and Tomas Casella) were selected to perform on the Garden Stage before a professional jury. The competition aims to spotlight ambitious and original jazz projects, nurturing new talent.
Despite its name, Gent Jazz has long embraced a broad musical identity, branching out beyond traditional jazz to include Americana, trip-hop, soul and other genres. “It’s no longer a pure jazz festival,” organisers admit.
Returning artists like Herbie Hancock and Norah Jones underscore the festival’s international appeal. “I think it will be the sixth time for Herbie Hancock, and it won’t be the first for Norah Jones either,” says Rubben. “They really enjoy coming, and you don’t have to ask them twice. They know it so well here.”
The festival runs through 19 Saturday July.
#FlandersNewsService | Ghent Jazz festival. © PHOTO BELGIAN FREELANCE
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