jazzfactoryfestival

"I'm not exactly a typical jazz guitarist, but I get a lot of inspiration from the jazz approach - spontaneity and improvisations..." - Jure Prapper. We invite you to come on April 14th, listen to Jure Praper & Liquid Carpet and enjoy their music together. Jure Praper - guitar Matjaz Mlakar - saxophone David Novak - bass guitar Matic Cresnik - drums

What is the secret of the charm of modern jazz performed by Slaven Ljujic's trio? We would say – in mastery of improvisation made by Montenegro And you will discover this masterwork on April 13th within the sixth edition of the Jazz Factory Festival Bitola 2023. "Slaven Ljujic Trio with Herbin" is a project featuring the outstanding multi-instrumentalist and composer Ivan Marović from Montenegro on guitar and Tin Džaferović from Croatia on double bass; Baptiste Herbin (Paris, France) on alto saxophone and Slaven Ljujic on drums, who is the founder of the group from Montenegro. The trio released a few months ago their debut album which was recorded live during the DEUS festival in Podgorica, Montenegro in December 2022. "Baptiste Herbin does not intend to succeed anyone, nor to eclipse anyone, but simply to play better than everyone and himself" - Michel Contat, Télérama, November 2012 "The beauty of the sound of the saxophone is undoubtedly the first quality that jumps out at the ear the astonishing volubility and technical mastery of its playing is obvious with the simple obviousness of an undoubted talent" - Jean-Pierre Jackson, Classica, November 2012 Baptiste Herbin - saxophone Slaven Ljujic - drums Ivan Marović - guitar Tin Džaferović - doublebass

Dzijan Emin is a versatile musician with extensive experience in the field of musical art. From the first horn player in the orchestra of the Macedonian Philharmonic, multi-instrumentalist and composer, to the conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the "Lamuro" Symphony Orchestra from Paris, the Flemish Symphony Orchestra, the Cannes Symphony Orchestra, the Belgrade Symphony Orchestra, Danubia Orchestra Obuda - Budapest, the Macedonian Philharmonic and of course the Big Band of the association of jazz musicians. Put a reminder in your calendar: On April 15th, the man who has been actively involved in building the contemporary Macedonian music scene for more than 20 years is coming to Bitola! Dzijan Emin - piano Kiril Kuzmanov - alto saxophone Ivan Ivanov - tenor saxophone Oliver Josifovski - doublebass Goce Stevkovski - drums

NU National Theatre Bitola 09.07.2022 Saso Popovski - the father of Jazz Factory Festival, the tireless warrior for a culture-rich Macedonian music scene and one of the country’s most active representatives abroad, Saso Popovski Trio. The trio itself is composed of established names on the Macedonian jazz scene - each of them with an already fruitful career behind (with a lot to offer in the future, as well). A musician and professor with an extensive CV who has collaborated with numerous names on the domestic and international scene, and whose music reveals a completely different image of just the right balance between modernity and tradition - making the sound of the quartet very unique. Olivier Samouillan comes to us from France, but is a musician of the world: a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, a violinist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. He has composed numerous pieces for cinema and television and owns a publishing company and the label Art Melodies, specializing in music for image.This particular international jazzman has brought so much to Macedonian jazz, so it’s our pleasure to have him join us on July 9 to have him add some avant-garde to our lives. Saso Popovski - guitar Olivier Samouillan - viola, mandolin, theremin Ivan Bejkov - upright bass Viktor Filipovski - drums

NU National Theatre Bitola 07.07.2022 Fischermanns Orchestra describe themselves as explosive street jazz. An archaic, rumbling orchestra with blaring brass fanfares of fire, punk smoke vocal cat-tones, electronic tonal architectural tapestries, and rousing-ass-moving-limb-circular-groovulations. This adventurous troupe has been on the road delivering its musical message to the people for fifteen years, constantly on the move. Having played more than 300 concerts on four continents: international jazz festivals to backyard clubs - back to the roots - on the street, on the stage, for the people.

NU National Theatre Bitola 08.07.2022 Ermanno Panta - vocals, flute, saxophone Cote Calmet - drums Thomas Moore - electric bass Sergi Gomez - electric and flamenco guitar A warm and vibrant sound characterizes the music of Ermanno Panta, singer and multi-instrumentalist, creator of compositions that Radio3 has defined as "very interesting and extremely peculiar" (Radio Nacional de España, Discópolis). The dream of a free Mediterranean is recognized both in the lyrics and in the musical concept that resonates on the album Isla Musa (2019, Narrator Records), dedicated to Sicily, his birthplace, and Formentera, his adopted island. On the album, the traditional styles of Sicily merge with the styles of flamenco and jazz, coming together in an inspiring and poetic repertoire. Lyrics in Sicilian, Spanish, Catalan and Arabic together with landscape musical elements recreate an aroma so characteristic of Mediterranean soundscapes. In "Isla Musa" respect for root music, arrangements of modern taste and wide spaces for improvisation coexist. Jazz constitutes the lens through which it becomes possible to reinterpret roots music in a fresh, elegant and innovative key. Jazz Factory Festival - Bitola Under patronage by Municipality of Bitola Supported by: National Theatre Bitola & MRT (Macedonian National Television) Sponsored by: Stoby Winery. www.jff.mk

NU National Theatre Bitola 08.07.2022 Gordan Spasovski - piano Kiril Tufekcievski - double bass Viktor Filipovski - drums 🎹 Gordan is an outstanding jazz pianist, composer and arranger, who is already leaving deep marks with his impressive performances and his marvellous album Light Pillar (which you need to hear NOW!), and we are sure that he will continue to mark the path for future jazz generations. Jazz Factory Festival - Bitola Under patronage by Municipality of Bitola Supported by: National Theatre Bitola & MRT (Macedonian National Television) Sponsored by: Stoby Winery. www.jff.mk

International Jazz Festival Bitola 7 - 9 July 2022 NU National Theatre Bitola Artists 1. Fischermanns Orchestra 2. Ermanno Panta & Banda Zeitun 3. Gordan Spasovski Trio 4. Saso Popovski Trio ft. Olivier Samouillan 5. Fanfara Station Compositions used 1. Powehi - Fischermanns Orchestra 2. Tarantella Monula & Miniera - Ermanno Panta & Banda Zeitun 3. Anteo - Olivier Samouillan - Cuareim Quartet & Natascha Rogers 4. Nagran - Fanfara Station 5. Elgon Sky - Saso Popovski Trio web www.jff.mk booking@jff.mk

Гостување во Магазин на ТВ Сител и најава за 5то издание на фестивалот.

David Lynch- Saxophones, Flutes, Whistles, Voice, Percussion Yiotis Kiourtsoglou- Electric Βass Stavros Lantsias- Piano, Electric Piano, Drums, Human Touch 🇬🇷 is an exciting and innovative instrumental trio based in Athens, Greece. Their sound carries nuances of their Greek, Irish, American and Cypriot territories and is a personal hybrid of a universal soul. Performed with world famous: Arturo Sandoval, Trilok Gurtu, Milcho Leviev, Billy Cobam, Peter Erskin and others. Their unique multi-instrumental approach not only leaves a visual impression, but also designs Human Touch's unlimited range for rhythm, color and emotional depth. Human Touch music is "live" music. Each concert is its own experience and leaves its audience sublime and moving. No wonder they called them "The best kept music secret in the Balkans." The concert is supported by the Consulate General of the Republic of Greece in Bitola and Euronickel Industries. http://humantouchtheband.weebly.com/ Jazz Factory Festival - Bitola Under patronage by Ministry of Culture N. Macedonia Supported by: National Theatre Bitola, Municipality of Bitola, General Consulate of Greece - Bitola, MOST - Budapest. Sponsored by: Stoby Winery, Euronickel, FOD Bitola, Pela Rosa, Komunalec Bitola, Niskogradba Bitola, Vodovod Bitola.

Jazz Today - Podcast 🎤 with Valerija Shojlevska Gest: prof. Kiril Kuzmanov 🇲🇰 https://www.instagram.com/kire_kuzmanov/ In these series of podcasts we will present the jazz scenes and their active actors from countries that are part of our Jazz Festivals Association such as Serbia 🇷🇸, Slovenia 🇸🇮, Romania 🇷🇴 and N. Macedonia 🇲🇰. The project aims to present, promote and affirm the artists from these countries as well as to be an initiator for new collaborations and to increase the mobility of the artists. In the first period, our focus is on the Macedonian jazz scene. Jazz Festivals Association members: Kikinda Jazz & Blues Festival 🇷🇸 Jazz Factory Festival 🇲🇰 Jazz Ravne 🇸🇮 Modoars Skopje 🇲🇰 Jazz Fortnight 🇲🇰 Transilvania Jazz Festival 🇷🇴

Jazz Today - Podcast 🎤 with Valerija Shojlevska Gest: prof. Alek Sekulovski https://aleksekulovski.com In these series of podcasts we will present the jazz scenes and their active actors from countries that are part of our Jazz Festivals Association such as Serbia 🇷🇸, Slovenia 🇸🇮, Romania 🇷🇴 and N. Macedonia 🇲🇰. The project aims to present, promote and affirm the artists from these countries as well as to be an initiator for new collaborations and to increase the mobility of the artists. In the first period, our focus is on the Macedonian jazz scene. We start on Monday, April 11, 2022 at 8 p.m. guest: prof. Alek Sekulovski 🇲🇰🇨🇦 Jazz Festivals Association members: Kikinda Jazz & Blues Festival 🇷🇸 Jazz Factory Festival 🇲🇰 Jazz Ravne 🇸🇮 Modoars Skopje 🇲🇰 Jazz Fortnight 🇲🇰 Transilvania Jazz Festival 🇷🇴

National Theatre Bitola 01.07.2021 Vasil Hadzimanov - piano Martin Gjakonovski - d.bass Aleksandar Sekulovski - drums Persistent, constant, musician with endless work energy and musicality, Vasil Hadzimanov 🇷🇸, pianist, composer, arranger and educator, is an inevitable link of Serbian jazz, from the end of the XX century and the beginning of the new millennium, an artist who leaves a great mark in Balkan music and cultural heritage. From the first lessons that, with a lot of patience, selflessness and introduction to the world of jazz, were given to him by Vojin Draskozi – world famous bassist and composer, Hadjimanov followed his world of colors and sounds until Berkeley College of Music. https://www.vhband.com/ Martin Gjakonovski 🇲🇰 born in Skopje is Macedonian bassist and composer living in Germany 🇩🇪. He is considered one of the most prominent jazz artists in Europe. Gjakonovski comes from a musical family; his mother was a jazz singer and his father founded and directed the Radio Jazz Big Band Macedonia. Martin Gjakonovski learned from the age of six violin and moved with 14 years to double bass. He soon formed his own band, the trio Spato. Since 1991 he studied at the Cologne University of Music. He worked in groups of Paul Kuhn, Lynne Arriale, Olivia Trummer, Paul Shigihara, Nicolas Simion, Bojan Z, Anders Berg Krantz, Omer Klein and the Frankfurt Jazz Big Band. With musicians such as Roman Schwaller, Andy Middleton, Tony Lakatos and Charlie Mariano, he was on the major European festivals, such as in Zagreb, Brussels, Bilbao, Krakow and Leverkusen. https://www.challengerecords.com/artists/1438009225 Aleksandar Sekulovski 🇲🇰 is Macedonian musician and proffesor, has been playing, teaching and recording drums for over 25 years. He was born in Bitola and currently lives in Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦. He holds a Master’s Degree in Pop & Jazz drums and has studied with Ron Savage (Berklee College of Music) and Hristo Yotsov (NMA) among others. He has collaborated with artist like: Greg Hopkins, Toni Kitanovski, Vasil Hadzimanov, recorded over 40 albums and played many famous festivals, TV and theatre performances around the world. An accomplished educator, Alek has worked as Professor of Drums at the Music Academy at UGD, Stip, Macedonia. His eloquence in using Balkan polyrhythms and his knowledge of the history of drumming has made him a frequent contributor to various workshops and clinics, summer schools, and festivals. https://aleksekulovski.com Jazz Factory Festival - Bitola Under patronage by Ministry of Culture N. Macedonia Supported by: National Theatre Bitola, Municipality of Bitola, General Consulate of Greece - Bitola, MOST - Budapest. Sponsored by: Stoby Winery, Euronickel, FOD Bitola, Pela Rosa, Komunalec Bitola, Niskogradba Bitola, Vodovod Bitola.

Jazz Factory Festival 03.07.2021 Bitola First hybrid conference organized by Jazz Festivals Association JFA Goal The main goal of the conference is to meet the different representatives of the jazz industry and to build future lasting connections, to develop mutual acquaintances and to merge their domain of work in a common collective goal - development of the jazz industry, a link between the Balkans and Europe. Subject • Jazz artist today, his place in the jazz industry, building successful jazz career. • Organization of Jazz festivals, sustainability, their position and responsibility in the jazz industry, possibilities for connecting try artist mobility. Time and place Jazz Factory Festival 2021 Bitola – North Macedonia National Theater 3 July, 10:00 Presenters • Vinko Mihajlovic (MNE) director of Petrovac Jazz Festival • Dragan Vlajnic (SRB) director of Kikinda Jazz & Blues Festival • Ema Popivoda (MKD) pianist and director of Modoars Festival – Skopje • Bojan Stefkovski (MKD) record label and director of Jazz Fortnight Festival - Skopje www.jazzfortnight.com • Arlette Hovinga (NLD) jazz press promoter & media director That Jazz Girl www.arlettehovinga.com • Simon Petermann (CHE) trombonist - musical director of Fisherman’s Orchestra - radio presenter at Radio Rabe and Swiss network for jazz professionals Swiss Jazz Days www.simonpetermann.ch • Robi Jamnik (SVN) director of Jazz Ravne Festival www.jazzravne.si • Ivan Teofilovic (SRB) jazz saxophonist and professor member of Naked – Serbia www.nakedbandbelgrade.com Participants • Students of the Musical Academy – University Goce Delchev – Stip – Jazz Department • Jazz professionals – artists – musicians - journalist – other members of jazz industry. Moderator • Saso Popovski (MKD) president of JFA Jazz Festivals Association and director of JFF Jazz Factory Festival www.jff.mk

Jazz Factory Festival 2021 Bitola NU National Theatre Bitola 1 - 3 July MAIN PROGRAM 1 July 20h Vasil Hadzimanov Trio - Martin Gjakonovski - Aleksandar Sekulovski 2 July 20h Pedja Milutinovic Drumbooty Quintet 3 July 20h Human Touch 3 July 21h Filip Dinev Trio SIDE PROGRAM 2 July 19h Jazzthetica Photography Exhibition Tatjana Rantasha 2 July 10h Jazz Festivals Association Hybrid Conference 2 July 13h DJ Set Jordan Nikolov B.boy 2 July 20h Award ceremony "Goce Dimitrovski" best young musician in 2020 Suported by Ministry of Culture N. Macedonia Consulate General of Greece in Bitola Municipality of Bitola NU National Theater Bitola MOST - Budapest Sponsored by Stobi Winery Euronickel Industries Fod Bitola Vodovod Bitola Komunalec Bitola Niskogradba Bitola Pela Rosa Contact: info@jff.mk www.jff.mk

AJS QUARTET - Albania . Leading Albanian jazz band, extraordinary instrumentalists, creative musicians with own jazz identity. They will present new album "Live in Roccella Jazz Festival" and their Albanian Jazz Society at our festival. Ermal Rodi - saxophone / clarinette Gent Rushi - piano Roni Gjura - d.bass / bass guitar Emilijan Dhimo - drums www.jff.mk

ARMEND XHAFERI - Kosovo . Jazz guitarist and composer with Master degree from University of Arts Graz Austria 2006. One of the leading Balkan guitarist that has released 15 albums and also composed music for film and theater. Armend Xhaferi - guitar Ivan Bejkov - upright bass Viktor Filipovski - drums

29 August 2020 National Theatre Bitola Bramha Trio is a contemporary jazz group formed in April 2019 by Aleksandar Vanchovski alongside Filip Dimishkovski and Martin Josifovski in Skopje, Macedonia. Their debut album “Painting” was recorded the same month and was released a few months later. The album, the making of which took place in “Club Marakana” with Goran Geshovski as producer, is now officially released, and the band is finally confident that they have the material they had set out to make. After the album, Bramha released their first single featuring a vocalist, colleague and very close friend called Kalina Velkovska. Now, after what has been over a year of transformation, creation and self – reinvention, the band consists of Aleksandar Vanchovski on drums, Petar Lukich on piano and Nikola Bochvarov on bass, and create under the name “BRAMHA AMITY”. They have already written, composed, arranged, recorded and produced their first single from their upcoming second album, which has been aptly entitled ‘Amity’. www.facebook.com/Bramha-Amity

29 August 2020 National Theatre Bitola ANTONIE VESKOVSKI mainly known as a percussionist, drummer and vibraphonist in the past with his new project he widens his abilities and brings us his unique and complete artistic language. His music represents the free path of the musical idea and the ability of the musician to tell us a story.

Bitola, National Theatre , Open Stage. Supported by: Ministry of Culture, NU National Theatre Bitola, Municipality Bitola, Stobi Winery. Antonie AVP Project, Bramha Amiti Trio, Armend Xhaferi Trio, AJS Quartet By: Karali Studio

Announcing artists and program

NU National Theatre Bitola 2019 Jazz Factory - Jazz industry - Music development. Saso Popovski - Guitar Bobi Cvetkovski - D.Bass