Garana Jazz Festival kicks off today. Anouar Brahem Quartet goes on stage on July 9

On July 5th, the highly anticipated Gărâna Jazz Festival 2023 will kick off, promising a captivating experience with its carefully curated line-up across two stages. The main stage, located in Poiana Lupului, and the Experimental Stage Empowered by UniCredit Bank, situated at the Catholic Church in Văliug village, will play host to over 80 exceptionally talented musicians from 18 different countries in this 27th edition of the festival.

The musical journey awaits the audience until the grand finale featuring the Anouar Brahem Quartet encompasses the most vibrant and exciting realms of jazz today. The adventure commences with an evening dedicated to Polish musicians, in collaboration with the Zbigniew Seifert Foundation, known as Seifert Night, on July 5th at Poiana Lupului. The stage will come alive with the essence of Polish jazz as Leszek Możdżer, Marcin Wasilewski Trio, and Marcin Pater Trio take the spotlight.

Subsequent days at the festival will be a fusion of jazz-rock, funk, world music, and Nordic jazz landscapes, featuring performances by Blazzaj, Austrian Syndicate, Paul Zauner Quartet, Per Mathisen & Jan Gunnar Hoff feat Nguyên Lê & Gary Husband, JazzyBIT, Julian & Roman Wasserfuhr feat Jörg Brinkmann, Enzo Favata – The Crossing, Daniel Herskedal Trio, and The Side Effects – Stian Carstensen, Marius Neset, Thomas Strønen.

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From Friday to Sunday, the Experimental Stage Empowered by UniCredit Bank in Văliug village will commence the trail at 11:00, featuring 7th SENSE and Marquis Noir. On Saturday, July 8th, pianist Vasil Hadžimanov will deliver a mesmerizing solo recital, followed by the Răzvan Cipcă Trio. The festival will conclude on Sunday, July 9th, with the extraordinary recital of tuba maestro Michel Godard, followed by the enchanting concert of Marta Popovici.

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The Gărâna expedition will also embrace the enchanting world of vocal jazz, showcasing a range of charismatic musicians with exceptional vocal prowess. Rebekka Bakken, Sinikka Langeland, Nataša Mirković, Camille Bertault, and Dean Bowman, along with renowned artists Bendik Hofseth, Markku Ounaskari, Michel Godard, Luciano Biondini, David Helbock, and Vasil Hadžimanov, will delve into explorations that captivate and delight. Additionally, saxophonist Oded Tzur’s quartet promises a departure from the vocal pattern, capturing hearts with its instrumental brilliance.

Tickets for Gărâna Jazz Festival

If you have not yet purchased tickets for the festival, you can still do so online. Tickets will also be available on site, at the access point in Poiana Lupului, from Wednesday, starting at 15.00, in three versions: one-day ticket – at the price of 140 lei, subscription for the whole festival period – at the price of 650 lei and 4-day subscription (Thursday – Sunday) – 520 lei. Children under 14 have free entry.

How to reach Gărâna

The Gărâna Jazz Festival is easily accessible by car from either Reșița or Slatina-Timiș, as both roads are in excellent condition.

Among the most sought-after campsites, you’ll find Gărâna Camping and 3 Ape. The weather forecast for the five festival days predicts daytime temperatures ranging from 20 to 24 degrees Celsius, with occasional showers. After sunset, temperatures may dip below 15 degrees, so it’s essential to pack warm clothing, boots, and raincoats or umbrellas to stay prepared.

Families with young children are warmly welcomed at the festival. To ensure their comfort and safety, we recommend that children wear earphones and sit farther away from the stage to avoid exposure to high sound levels during concerts. For those attending with dogs, it’s important to keep them on a leash and at a distance from the stage area, as the loud noise could also affect them negatively.

More than jazz

The event organizers highly recommend exploring the picturesque forests surrounding the area, such as the Semenic ridge or the scenic spots near Gozna and Breazova in Văliug. For breathtaking views, venture to the highest mountain peaks nearby – Semenic Peak and Piatra Goznei Peak. If you’re in the mood for some relaxation, enjoy sunbathing and bathing in the specially designated areas at the 3 Ape resort (Brebu Nou) or at Ponton – Casa Baraj (Văliug). For mountain biking enthusiasts, the Văliug – Semenic – Gărâna – Brebu Nou region offers a plethora of exciting trails to choose from.

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Over the past 26 years, Gărâna has witnessed more than 100,000 spectators and hosted an array of internationally acclaimed artists who have shared their avant-garde jazz performances under the open sky in this charming village nestled in the heart of Banat. The festival has welcomed esteemed artists such as Eberhard Weber, Jan Garbarek, Stanley Clarke, Mike Stern, Tomasz Stańko, Enrico Rava, Jean-Luc Ponty, Stanley Jordan, John Abercrombie, Miroslav Vitouš, Zakir Hussain, Bugge Wesseltoft, Youn Sun Nah, Charles Lloyd, John Scofield, Jack DeJohnette, Hiromi, Terje Rypdal, Dhafer Youssef, and many other talented musicians who have left an indelible mark on the event.