Struggling to choose?! Four recommended festival days

In exactly fifteen days, Gent Jazz will kick off your summer! From 4 July, the Bijlokesite will be bathed in the warm glow of jazz for thirteen days. Expect groundbreaking music, big names, and tons of Belgian jazz talent, spread over two carefully organised stages. With no fewer than nine festival days, all of which are (almost) sold out, you’d better start making your choices now. Whether you are a dyed-in-the-wool jazz fan or have only just discovered the magic of the genre, Gent Jazz has something for you! Still struggling to choose?! We’ll recommend four festival days.

A tapestry of hip-hop, R&B and poetic soul, with a golden Saharan edge on 6 July  

Bombino, the 'Sultan of Shred’, opens proceedings on the Main Stage with his fiery desert blues and protest songs. Jamila Woods provides a powerful blend of neo-soul, R&B and poetry, while Baloji weaves his Belgian/Congolese roots into a captivating audio-visual show. ’t Hof van Commerce serves up raw, new tracks in unadulterated West Flemish. Hip-hop legends The Roots close the Main stage with their iconic mix of rap, jazz, soul and socially critical lyrics. It’s live hip-hop at its best. The Garden Stage provides the performance area for jazz futurist Kassa Overall, multi-instrumentalist Kaito Winse, neo-soul artist STACE, rapper Fred Gata and DJ Grazzhoppa.

Sparkling jazz improvisations, wild grooves and spiritual sounds on 12 July

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis, along with his quartet, will perform his recent reinterpretation of Keith Jarrett’s breakthrough album 'Belonging’, while Steve Coleman and Five Elements will unleash their unconventional jazz on the audience. Pianist Tigran Hamasyan will take to the stage too with his fusion of Armenian folk music and jazz. New York saxophonist Zoh Amba, one of the most outstanding new voices in the avant-garde jazz scene over the past few years, will present her latest album 'Sun’ with the Sun Ensemble. Steven Bernstein’s Sexmob will also be there to provide some wild jazz re-workings of popular songs. Emerging talent is also in the spotlight. Kin Gajo - winner of Gent Jazz Talent 2024 - opens the Main Stage. ganavya adds a little spiritual jazz with South Indian roots, performing with Charles Overton. In addition, the Jonas Meersmans Trio and the energetic Joe Webb Trio add their refreshing take on the jazz tradition!
 

Blazing guitars, haunting songs & experimentation on 15 July

St. Vincent, the alter ego of Annie Clark, turns each concert into a spectacle. The American singer is well-known for her avant-garde pop with a glamorous touch and eccentric performances full of inventive guitars. And even more quirky and virtuoso guitar playing will be provided on the same day by Anna Calvi. With her powerful, raw voice, often compared to PJ Harvey, she will simultaneously appeal and repel. Live, an intoxicating 'slap in the face’ you won't forget for a while. Whereas electronic London-based Mount Kimbie has expanded into a full band, exploring the boundaries of indie, ambient, krautrock and post-punk, Canadian singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk translates emotion into fragile, layered melodies. On the Garden Stage, you will be the first to discover the latest trick from Flying Horseman 'Anaesthesia’, Amsterdam-based indie rockband Hiqpy, Gent’s thenightclub with their absurd and dark music that will have you up and dancing, and the intense, eclectic jazz of Argentine  Gal Go - saxophonist for King Krule.

 From spiritual jazz to night-time rave on 19 July

On Saturday 19 July, we close our 24th edition with an iconic line-up: Kamasi Washington raises jazz into a spiritual, all-encompassing experience, Benjamin Clementine will immerse you in his poetic sound, Adja adds a touch of refined soul and the Elijah Fox Trio provides a dreamy blend of jazz and psychedelic soul. Johan Dupont Trio plays otherworldly compositions, Bandler Ching provides funky improvisations. On the Garden Stage, L’Antidote Trio merges sounds from Albania, Lebanon and Iran. And finally, we do a complete 360° with a live-rave from Lander & Adriaan. The perfect pre-party for the second Gent Party night.