FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Festival Jazzinty focuses on the Slovenian and international music scenes.
Monday, August 17 2026
Platform in front of the Janez Trdina Cultural Centre
20.00
University of Ljubljana Academy of Music: Marko Momčilović Quartet
The Marko Momčilović Quartet brings together four young musicians who met during their studies at the Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana. Their collaboration has developed into an original artistic project, soon to be released on an upcoming album. Their original compositions arise at the intersection of diverse musical aesthetics. They are rooted in a collective creative process in which improvisation, attentive listening, and shared exploration play a central role.
The quartet creates a distinctive sonic world by blending acoustic and digital sound, giving traditional instruments new dimensions through contemporary production and performance techniques. The result is a dynamic, multilayered musical language that reflects the pulse of contemporary jazz through curiosity, openness, and expressive boldness.
Line-up: Vid Bavcon – trumpet; Miha Rajterič – keyboards; Marko Momčilović – double bass; Martin Jocif – drums
The concert is presented in cooperation with the Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana.
21.00
Rok Zalokar Zhlehtet: Pieces for Collective Change
Zhlehtet is a collective led by pianist, composer, and producer Rok Zalokar. Appearing in a variety of line-ups, the ensemble continually embraces fresh creative directions.
Rooted in the tradition of spiritual jazz, the collective is devoted to the expressive power of the present moment and to a shared musical understanding. It brings together some of the most prominent musicians of the new (post-)jazz generation, all of whom are not only distinctive instrumentalists but also composers and creators in their own right. Since the collective was founded in 2019, it has released ten albums documenting a wide range of artistic approaches, and it regularly performs at festivals in Slovenia and abroad as well as at independent venues – from jazz clubs to psytrance festivals.
The ensemble’s guiding principle is to channel the energy of each concert into a shared experience with the audience, making every performance unique.
Line-up: Alja Petric – vocals, percussion; Lenart De Bock – tenor saxophone and flute; Boštjan Simon – soprano and tenor saxophone; Rok Zalokar – piano; Eduardo Raon – harp; Jošt Drašler – double bass; Kristijan Krajnčan – drums.
Tuesday, August 18 2026
Platform in front of the Janez Trdina Cultural Centre
20.00
Concert by Students of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz
Young musicians from the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (KUG) bring fresh energy, outstanding musicianship and a contemporary perspective on jazz. The concert offers an insight into the creativity of a new generation of artists who successfully combine tradition, improvisation and their own distinctive musical voice.
The concert is presented in cooperation with the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.
21.00
Tawanda and the Marko Črnčec Trio
The mentors of this year’s jazz workshop, internationally acclaimed vocalist Tawanda and pianist, composer and arranger Marko Črnčec, join forces for an exclusive performance.
The mentors of this year’s jazz workshop, internationally acclaimed vocalist Tawanda and pianist, composer, and arranger Marko Črnčec, will join forces for an exclusive performance.
Tawanda, winner of the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2021, captivates audiences with her expressive voice and her fusion of jazz tradition with contemporary influences. Marko Črnčec is regarded as one of Slovenia’s leading jazz musicians, performing regularly on international stages and collaborating with world-renowned artists. Together with selected members of the rhythm section, they will present an evening of exceptional jazz featuring original compositions, jazz standards, and spontaneous improvisation. They will be joined by double bassist Joshua Ginsburg, also a mentor at the workshop, and drummer Kristijan Krajnčan.
The concert offers a special opportunity, as this ensemble will be performing together for the first time.
Line-up: Tawanda – vocals; Marko Črnčec – piano; Joshua Ginsburg – double bass; Kristijan Krajnčan – drums
Wednesday, August 19 2026
Platform in front of the Janez Trdina Cultural Centre
20.00
JAZZON
The closing event of the Jazzon 2026 Award will feature a concert by Gal Golob, winner of this year’s competition for the Best Slovenian Jazz Composition.
21.00
Jazzinty Workshop Mentors’ Concert
The Mentors’ Concert is Jazzinty’s traditional Wednesday evening performance, featuring all of the workshop mentors.
Thursday, August 20 2026
Park of Rastoča Knjiga
20.00
Eva Moreno Trio
LOVE is the new stage program by the Eva Moreno Trio, an intimate musical journey through the many shades of love. Blending jazz, contemporary improvisation, and lyrical storytelling, the trio creates a rich and expressive soundscape that explores passion, longing, joy, vulnerability, and hope.
With Eva Moreno’s distinctive artistic voice at its centre, navigating LOVE in English, Spanish, German, French and Portuguese, the ensemble presents a carefully selected repertoire, inviting audiences into a deeply personal yet universal experience. LOVE is a celebration of human connection, where emotion, spontaneity, and musical dialogue come together in an unforgettable live performance.
Line-up: Eva Moreno – vocals; Jörg Seidel – guitar; Joschi Schneeberger – upright bass
21.00
Zoran Schmitz Trio
The trio was formed in 2022 within the creative environment of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (KUG), where Slovenian musicians Zoran Schmitz and Miha Lampe met Austrian guitarist Johannes Mandl. They share a long-standing passion for gypsy jazz, a common musical sensibility, and a desire to explore the rich tradition of the genre through their own artistic voice.
Their first performances took place as street musicians, allowing them to develop their repertoire, musical rapport, and distinctive energy, which soon outgrew the confines of busking. This was followed by performances on Graz’s jazz scene, where the trio established itself as one of the city’s most promising young ensembles.
Their debut album, Following Django, released in January 2024, pays tribute to the legacy of gypsy jazz while revealing the trio’s distinctive artistic identity through its personal interpretations.
The trio is currently preparing its second studio album, which will consist entirely of original compositions for the first time. Blending virtuosity, improvisation, and genuine stage energy, they present a contemporary vision of gypsy jazz and continue their artistic journey with a clear musical identity and an ambitious vision for the future.
Line-up: Zoran Schmitz – guitar; Johannes Mandl – guitar; Miha Lampe – double bass
Friday, August 21 2026
Park of Rastoča Knjiga
20.00
Blaž Švagan: Absolute Candor
“As players – and inherently fans of the music – we are always interested in searching for unique voices out there. Blaž Švagan is that refreshing identity that emerges once in a blue moon. After listening to Blaž’s record, Sound In Time, I was excited to hear his specific and unique articulation and the fire, fierceness, and energy in his sound. The songs on this record are passionate and tell a complete story from front to back. Gatekeepers: pay attention to Blaž.” — Noah Preminger
Blaž’s debut album Sound in Time was recorded in January 2022 and released in April 2023 by the Berlin-based label AUT Records. It is a transcultural project infused with fresh, contemporary musical ideas, drawing inspiration from the New York jazz scene while incorporating Balkan melodic and rhythmic elements and structures.
At this concert, the Maribor-based tenor saxophonist and composer presents an entirely new programme of original music titled Absolute Candor. The album was recorded in New York in September 2024 and is scheduled for release this year on Inner Circle Records. Stylistically, the music can be described as contemporary jazz inspired by death metal and science fiction. Highly energetic passages alternate with airy, reflective sections, creating a musical landscape that combines intensity with spaciousness and subtlety.
Line-up: Matic Štemberger – piano; Tjan Šoštarič – double bass; Gaj Bostič – drums; Blaž Švagan – tenor saxophone
21.00
Jonathan Kreisberg Trio
Renowned American jazz guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg, who is also among the mentors of Jazzinty 2026, appears with an outstanding trio featuring acclaimed Slovenian pianist and organist Marko Črnčec (Marko Churnchetz) on Hammond organ and acclaimed drummer Colin Stranahan.
Throughout his distinguished career, Kreisberg has become known for his modern approach to harmony and melody. In this unique trio format, he creates a powerful, organic dialogue with his fellow musicians. Audiences can look forward to an exceptional evening of contemporary jazz, in which a profound understanding of tradition is interwoven with breathtaking technical mastery and the passionate improvisation of three virtuoso performers.
Line-up: Jonathan Kreisberg – guitar; Marko Črnčec – Hammond organ; Colin Stranahan – drums
Saturday, August 22 2026
Platform in front of the Janez Trdina Cultural Centre
20.00
Final Concert of the Workshop Participants
On Saturday evening, performances by the Jazzinty workshop ensembles and participants traditionally take place, presenting the programme they have developed during the workshop in a variety of line-ups. Each ensemble is guided by one of the workshop mentors and performs that mentor’s original compositions, making every performance a unique reflection of the mentor’s artistic vision.
Locations
Concerts: Platform in front of the Janez Trdina Cultural Centre and Park of Rastoča knjiga
Jam sessions are happening every night from 22.00 in Lokal Patriot
