Kaunas Jazz

Jazz-Festival in Lithuania

Kaunas Jazz is an annual international jazz festival in Kaunas, Lithuania. It started in 1991, soon after Lithuania declared re-establishment of independence from the Soviet Union, and is now the largest jazz festival in Lithuania. In the beginning it was held only in the spring (late April), but it now features a small series in fall and another series just before Christmas. The festival includes many different styles and genres of jazz.

Artists from over 20 countries have participated in the festival, including Al Di Meola, John Scofield, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Elvin Jones, Jan Garbarek, Charles Lloyd, Bobo Stenson, Nils Landgren, Courtney Pine, Marc Copland, John Abercrombie, Palle Mikkelborg, Nils Petter Molvaer, David Sanborn, Mike Stern, Trilok Gurtu, Bobby Previte, Greg Osby, and Chico Freeman.

## History

[edit]

The festival started in 1991, soon after Lithuania declared re-establishment of independence from the Soviet Union.[1] The event was held over three days in April.[2] Kaunas Jazz is the largest jazz festival in Lithuania.[3] In the beginning it was held only in the spring (late April), but it now features a small series in fall and another series just before Christmas. The festival includes many different styles and genres of jazz.[2]

Artists from over 20 countries have participated in the festival, including Al Di Meola, John Scofield, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Elvin Jones, Jan Garbarek, Charles Lloyd, Bobo Stenson, Nils Landgren, Courtney Pine, Marc Copland, John Abercrombie, Palle Mikkelborg, Nils Petter Molvaer, David Sanborn, Mike Stern, Trilok Gurtu, Bobby Previte, Greg Osby, and Chico Freeman.[4][5]

Kauno miesto muziejaus reports that Lithuanian saxophonist Petras Vyšniauskas is the only artist to have participated in all the festivals.[2]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Seputyte, Milda (April 13, 2005). "Kaunas Jazz; the country's second pilgrimage". Baltic Times. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
2. ^ a b c "In the rhythm of jazz since '91". Kauno Virtualus Muziejus. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
3. ^ "Kaunas International Jazz Festival". Europe Jazz Network. 2016-05-24. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
4. ^ "Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda: a mosaic of the 1960s and 1970s". www.jazzhistory.lt. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
5. ^ "About Kaunas Jazz". Kaunas Jazz. Retrieved 2025-04-25.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Baltic Times article on jazz in Lithuania
* Description at Europe Jazz Network