From the 17th – 20th August 2017, the fourth edition of the Makarska Jazz Festival will be placed at the top of the jazz scene in Croatia and beyond. It has attracted some of the best local and international musicians, who trade their usual stage for one of the most gorgeous settings along the Adriatic Coast – the Makarska Riviera.
Besides the sun and sea, if anything spells summer to me – it is live music. Picture balmy summer nights, a flowing maxi-dress, glass of gemišt (white wine spritzer) in hand, now tell me – what is missing? Jazz.
Actually, I lie, jazz isn’t just for summer, jazz is for cool nights tucked into some little booth of a tiny bar, sipping on red wine… but for now, let’s focus on summer nights’ jazz.
Ever since its second year, the Makarska Jazz Festival has been recognised at a National level under the Ministry of Culture and this year, the Tourist Board of the Split-Dalmatia County has also shown its support as well as the Embassy of the Republic of France in Croatia.
The main square in Makaska – Kačićev Trg, transforms into a gorgeous open-air stage, with the Biokovo mountain range providing the most stunning backdrop to the whole scene (read more about Makarska here). This year promises another incredible line-up of talent, including Josipa Lisac; a diva of the Croatian music scene – known for her strong voice and bold fashion statements, Josipa is sure to entertain all.
Bringing a whole different energy to the stage will be Cubismo, with their salsa latin grooves, and Soul Fingers, who, suffice to say – got soul.
A little international collaboration comes in the form of Serbian pianist, composer and producer Bojan Zulfikarpašić with Julien Lourau, a top French jazz saxophonist, who will be setting the night alight with their incredible jazz-fusion.
Mario Rašić, one of Croatia’s finest bassists has been collaborating with the Balkan Zoo Ensemble for many years and the product of the collaboration is a series of rich, moody jazz ensembles which move through many genres, including afro beats.
Marko Ramljak, a Croatian violinist and composer already well-known to the Makarska audience, will perform with his band – Marko Ramljak Band. Their music has something for everyone, with hints of jazz, ethno, funk, rock and blues.
For those who are looking to learn from the best, this year there will be music workshops which will only add to the beautiful atmosphere of the Festival. This year, workshops will be held with Bojan Zulfikarpašić (piano) and Hrvoje Rupčić (percussion).
The main organisers of the festival are Ante Gele, Klaudija Vujčić and Igor Gojak. Klaudija had this to say: “With regard to the festival program and our guest performers we are sure that this year we will provide our audience and city with a top jazz event, excellent entertainment and atmosphere for memoirs, and therefore, we invite all jazz music lovers, and those who are looking for a great time, to join us.”
The Makarska Jazz Festival is yet another example of promoting a destination by nurturing the cultural aspect of tourism. So, if you are near the Makarska Riviera or sailing the Adriatic Coast, set your course for Makarska from the 17th – 20th August 2017.
Here is the Program:
Thursday, 17.08.2017
21:00: Summer Stage
BOJAN ZULFIKARPAŠIĆ & JULIEN LOURAU
22.45: Kačićev Trg
MARKO RAMLJAK BAND
Friday, 18.08.2017
22:30 Kačićev Trg
MARKO RAŠIĆ & BALKAN ZOO ENSEMBLE
Saturday, 19.08.2017
22:30 Kačićev Trg
CUBISMO
Sunday, 20.08.2017
21:00 Summer Stage
JOSIPA LISAC
Music Workshops:
08/18/2017. At 11.30 – Music School: BOJAN ZULFIKARPAŠIĆ (piano)
08/19/2017. At 11.30 – Cafe Bar Yeti: HRVOJE RUPČIĆ (percussion)
For more info, visit the Offical Makarska Jazz Festival page here.
