# A European Celebration of Jazz, Blues, Musical Excellence and Cultural Diversity at Autumn–Winter Jazz – Blues Season of EU Jazz & Blues Festival 2026: Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2026/11/09/454646/
- Published: 2026-11-09T04:00:00+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

### EU Jazz and Blues Festival | September – December 2026!!!

The November programme of the EU Jazz & Blues Festival 2026 continues to demonstrate
the extraordinary vitality of Europe’s musical landscape. From the intimate atmosphere
of historic jazz clubs to distinguished concert halls, cultural centres and internationally
recognised performance venues, this autumn–winter journey brings together musicians
whose artistic identities represent different generations, traditions and approaches
to contemporary music.

The programme is particularly remarkable for its diversity. European jazz meets 
the American improvisational tradition; Mediterranean musical colours encounter 
Northern European sensibilities; sophisticated acoustic jazz stands alongside electrifying
British and German blues-rock.

The result is a musical panorama in which every concert has its own personality,
emotional character and artistic language.

![](https://i0.wp.com/jazzblues.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Jazz-Blues.jpg?resize
=640%2C427&ssl=1)

The festival is not simply a succession of performances. It is a celebration of 
musical dialogue across borders, an invitation to discover new artistic perspectives
and a meeting point for audiences who recognise jazz and blues as living, constantly
evolving art forms.

This is also an opportunity to acknowledge the vision, dedication and organisational
leadership of **Olivia Pievas**, Director and Organiser of the EU Jazz & Blues Festival
2026, whose contribution gives the season its European identity and artistic coherence.

## Portugal – Henri Texier Quartet

![Jazz in Marciac 2026 : L’Astrada dévoile une programmation audacieuse entre création
jazz et stages de transmission - ladepeche.fr](https://images.openai.com/static-
rsc-4/4KdYzItCCpB47MaSoaRk6jb8PEN_vMKUIcGkaK9Dfker-1Bq_VUlaeHGp3Kx94LgQ1LAEzQNmgX9n8LhSVWlDfZfn7g4UdktFPBFc0mnIl-
P-UITi-YK3B4UwTAXeNfVQS4TaKcysrTxEerbazgIBi2m6okWPlDM1DVjro32g8cXawL5N-ZrcDFNwkxX7c0n?
purpose=fullsize)

### Centro Cultural e de Congressos, Caldas da Rainha

_**7 November 2026 · Grande Auditório! **_The Portuguese programme welcomed one 
of the most respected and distinctive personalities in contemporary European jazz,
the legendary French double bassist and composer Henri Texier.

His appearance at the Centro Cultural e de Congressos in Caldas da Rainha was an
especially meaningful encounter with an artist whose musical language has developed
over decades while remaining remarkably open to new ideas.

Texier’s quartet brought together four musicians with a profound understanding of
melodic architecture, rhythmic freedom and collective improvisation: Henri Texier–
double bass, Sébastien Texier – alto saxophone and clarinets, Bruno Angelini – piano,
Gautier Garrigue – drums.

The quartet’s artistic strength lies in its ability to create music that is simultaneously
sophisticated and spontaneous. Texier’s double bass is not merely the foundation
of the ensemble: it is a narrative voice, sometimes lyrical and reflective, sometimes
insistent and rhythmically adventurous. His characteristic approach to the instrument
gives the music an organic pulse, allowing the other musicians to explore their 
ideas without losing the unity of the composition.

Sébastien Texier brings a particularly fascinating dimension to the quartet. His
alto saxophone can move from warm, expressive melodic statements to more searching
improvisational passages, while his clarinet playing introduces additional colours
and textures. The dialogue between father and son is especially interesting: two
individual musical personalities communicating through a shared artistic vocabulary.

![Jazzlegende in der Elbphilharmonie: Für das Gute „in einer Zeit der Idiotie“](
https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/lfUdwvz3GCfT_uBc30C3dYN9vOtLFQJ3v2o6Ud152xSF8aOkJcyG3Gtse1Zizom1qFwymcSubAmGwocVn6PV3kzwjc7bisO668lpYbkXW3xghkTT0QVyxtgRnJUB_ckv6-
2vNbe7Jo3CM4zz3FMI7Rln-LKzk0HbOcaEFuJLJCcpY6oRo05O3hCCebo_XP02?purpose=fullsize)

Bruno Angelini’s piano provides harmonic imagination and a remarkable sense of space.
His contribution can be delicate and contemplative, but he also has the ability 
to build increasingly complex structures through carefully developed improvisations.
Gautier Garrigue completes the musical architecture with percussion that is sensitive
to every change in atmosphere, balancing rhythmic precision with spontaneous energy.

At the Grande Auditório, this repertoire offered an ideal opportunity to experience
the relationship between European jazz tradition and contemporary improvisational
thought. The concert was part of the Dias do Jazz 2026 programme, and the official
listing confirms its 7 November appearance and the complete quartet personnel.

It was an important Portuguese chapter in the festival’s wider European story: a
celebration of musical intelligence, experience, imagination and the enduring expressive
possibilities of the jazz quartet.

## Italy – Gilad Hekselman / Trio Grande

![Trio Grande Live at Joe Henderson Lab | Backstage Bay Area Review - Backstage 
Bay Area](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/GV1c0P0q6yy2t5aoKDheOxBIGInYg0N5MspSWZB28lPqUHxCiTVnhWAl0PPlWWQ2khGMh0l9JlB2wIpegb-
fN51Jq4oePhQh6jCW9hW58VsvNmzuwJUdP8lT-GJiUXuHMpoZ0TyHvIriOLMs5jC4r4Jw0IOeXBkdMc1jt7kH8Ss04MvLo-
mSF83RukYXCz-e?purpose=fullsize)

### Jazz Club Ferrara, Ferrara

_**7 November 2026 · Torrione San Giovanni! **_Ferrara offered a meeting with one
of the most imaginative guitarists of the contemporary New York jazz generation,
Gilad Hekselman.

The performance at Jazz Club Ferrara was presented under the name Trio Grande, a
project whose unusual instrumentation and adventurous musical conception distinguish
it from the conventional jazz trio.

The musicians were: Will Vinson – alto saxophone and electric piano, Gilad Hekselman–
guitar and electric bass, Nate Wood – drums and electric bass.

An interesting detail is that the group’s contemporary configuration differs from
its original incarnation. The project began in 2019 with Antonio Sánchez on drums
and subsequently developed into a new version featuring Nate Wood.

This arrangement opens up extraordinary possibilities. The musicians can exchange
instrumental functions, transform the rhythmic foundation and move between conventional
jazz textures and more experimental electric sounds.

Hekselman’s guitar playing is particularly compelling because of its balance between
technical sophistication and emotional directness. His phrasing can be extraordinarily
fluid, with a refined understanding of harmony, yet his improvisations never become
exercises in technique alone. He has a distinctive ability to make a melodic line
feel conversational, allowing a musical idea to unfold naturally.

![Trio Grande Live at Joe Henderson Lab | Backstage Bay Area Review - Backstage 
Bay Area](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/YazcB8Be3x_y_pu_trK7U0okOXUYQCnTrQBIm0jn23IXZ7mZTvnXnyjcPUxo4xSq0YOCAd1v7gRtbCvEZLrdTYUmw_dYDzqSTZ3JLqyqfX-
UvRbtODnWIgdO0UImMjuvjsHZn4euc5DyTnosmFP4fr5TXs3CJ7dKCuhOFtkw0hZJv0OlZgKVO2auryk-
bbXK?purpose=fullsize)

Will Vinson brings an additional dimension through his saxophone and electric piano,
while Nate Wood’s remarkable versatility gives the trio a flexible rhythmic identity.
The interplay between electric bass, guitar, saxophone and drums allows the music
to travel through contrasting landscapes, from delicate atmospheric passages to 
powerful rhythmic episodes.

The historic Torrione San Giovanni, with its intimate club atmosphere, was an especially
appropriate setting for this kind of adventurous music. Such venues encourage the
audience to listen closely, to recognise small instrumental exchanges and to appreciate
the spontaneous decisions that make every live performance different.

It was a particularly attractive example of the festival’s commitment to contemporary
jazz without artistic boundaries: music that respects tradition while confidently
exploring the future.

## France – Shuteen Erdenebaatar & Nils Kugelmann

![Nominiert für zwei Deutsche Jazzpreise: die Pianistin Shuteen Erdenebaatar - Kultur-
SZ.de](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xxmT1slevj-2WdLwh7SF9O5X9Pnci9bY8YL2uUr09piE2RKJI6eJC0_nrsGGOEnSgg8O28P37MGUE6Gc0iH6lctCyZuSANXlszUNR1dmsZaY4VIdBuoQCT3vYSIhQccxgAX33Wc_wslfXdDWq195Gy4WnsVaDUz40rLIyv1e_dFJ6vWM3rm7tTVAiHmz6jsa?
purpose=fullsize)

### Under the Same Stars

_**Théâtre de la Rianderie, Marcq-en-Barœul!**_

One of the most poetic and intimate encounters of the November programme took place
in northern France, where pianist and composer Shuteen Erdenebaatar joined double
bassist and clarinettist Nils Kugelmann for their project Under the Same Stars.

The title itself suggests the philosophical and emotional foundation of this collaboration:
two musicians, two different artistic backgrounds and two individual musical imaginations
discovering a common language beneath the same musical sky.

Erdenebaatar, originally from Mongolia and based in Germany, brings an impressive
combination of classical musical education, compositional sensitivity and contemporary
jazz expression. Her piano playing is characterised by clarity, lyrical imagination
and an exceptional awareness of harmonic development.

Kugelmann, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the exciting younger European
jazz musicians through his work as a bassist, composer and multi-instrumentalist.
His double bass provides the project with warmth and depth, while his clarinet introduces
an unusual and particularly expressive timbral dimension.

The beauty of this duo lies in its openness. There is no need for an elaborate rhythm
section or a large ensemble to create a complete musical world. Piano and bass can
establish their own architecture through melodic conversation, rhythmic suggestion,
silence and the gradual development of musical ideas.

The piano may introduce a delicate motif, which the bass transforms into a lyrical
response. At other moments, the two instruments can move independently, creating
subtle tension before returning to a shared melodic direction.

![Nils Kugelmann Trio UK debut at Ronnie Scott’s - UK Jazz News](https://images.
openai.com/static-rsc-4/-4J_DLGXMzXGhFdSEhf8gfKxrKx382wNF-_HO-qmoBqRCnX9WsfsWlETolfk04M2i40i2-
0pJuDSE9soKCQ4t9ZuHlhpqxoDs3lzpawC2maOdO-8wQqZfLRGthNFAxoTzJvWIR3W3YR9g0uc1DmLWZQDl3l64bjt0nSaxl8VppPV68WmZ1f8f_x23E9erQCI?
purpose=fullsize)

The clarinet adds another colour to this intimate musical dialogue, expanding the
emotional vocabulary beyond the traditional piano-and-bass combination.

The programme description published by Marcq-en-Barœul emphasised the duo’s combination
of harmonic jazz sophistication and playful pop influences, with a particularly 
tender and optimistic musical character.

The Théâtre de la Rianderie offered a fitting environment for this performance. 
Its more intimate scale allows the audience to experience the smallest details of
instrumental communication.

Under the Same Stars represents the kind of European collaboration that makes this
festival particularly meaningful: a meeting of different cultural experiences transformed
into a shared artistic language.

## Germany – Danny Bryant

![Danny Bryant: Mit Pauken und Trompeten | ROCKS](https://images.openai.com/static-
rsc-4/ZrVoUSVopE78qGAQi_wLoG4QDmeeY4InrJ1c6D4uMUiMvUNsm0yT4xSb7qiHAhhDvW1uWak5s34OQkehR0d9tbDVyjF15dDXR2oDm66lInp5JizXYxJ1ySVhfzUyOKJZgVUZnshXK2Qa3pSW9tgEm7ISYMy775y2WvKyAmuCxg8FEGkA40GGAiAPEz1o-
zWD?purpose=fullsize)

### Laboratorium, Stuttgart

British blues guitarist and vocalist Danny Bryant represents a powerful and passionate
tradition of contemporary blues-rock, where the emotional heritage of the blues 
meets the energy of modern electric rock.

His musical personality is built around expressive guitar playing, strong vocal 
delivery and compositions that combine personal storytelling with the dramatic intensity
of the blues.

The Stuttgart appearance requires one important clarification. The Laboratorium’s
current event information identifies the concert as a rescheduled performance, now
scheduled for 29 January 2027, rather than a concert that took place on 7 November
2026. It is advertised under the Nothing Left Behind Tour 2026 title, although the
replacement date is in January 2027.

The advertised line-up is: Danny Bryant – vocals and guitar, Marc Raner – guitar,
Jamie Pipe – keyboards, Artjom Feldtser – bass, Alex Hinz – drums.

The musical attraction of this formation is its ability to combine the expressive
directness of the blues with the broader sonic possibilities of a full electric 
band.

Bryant’s guitar style is rooted in the tradition of powerful blues phrasing. His
solos are built around expressive bends, sustained notes, rhythmic accents and carefully
shaped melodic phrases. Rather than treating virtuosity as an end in itself, he 
uses the guitar to communicate emotion.

![Dire Straits Experience - promo 2025/2026](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/_ylCyqVM5nc/
maxresdefault.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

The additional guitar, keyboards and rhythm section allow the arrangements to move
between intimate blues passages and more explosive blues-rock climaxes.

The Laboratorium is an appropriate venue for such music, with the atmosphere of 
a dedicated live-music space rather than a distant, formal concert hall.

Although this performance should be listed as a forthcoming rescheduled date rather
than a completed November concert, Danny Bryant remains an important part of the
season’s blues-rock artistic identity.

## Netherlands – The Dire Straits Experience

![DIRE STRAITS EXPERIENCE - PAARD](https://i0.wp.com/www.paard.nl/wp-content/uploads/
2021/09/the-dire-straits-experience-11-Steve-Van-stappen-scaled.jpeg?w=640&ssl=1)

### PHIL Haarlem, Haarlem

_**7 November 2026 · Grote Zaal!**_

The Dutch programme introduced a very different but equally important dimension 
of the festival’s musical panorama: the enduring legacy of one of the most influential
groups in British rock history.

The Dire Straits Experience brought its large-scale touring production to PHIL Haarlem,
celebrating the repertoire of Dire Straits through a performance that combines musical
authenticity, instrumental precision and the unmistakable character of the original
songs.

The project has a particularly significant connection to the band’s history through
former Dire Straits member Chris White, who performs with six other accomplished
musicians.

The repertoire includes such classics as Sultans of Swing, Money for Nothing and
Private Investigations.

These compositions occupy a special place in the history of blues-influenced rock.
Their musical language combines blues phrasing, sophisticated arrangements, memorable
melodic structures and an unusually strong sense of atmosphere.

The guitar work associated with the Dire Straits tradition is especially distinctive.
Rather than relying exclusively on volume or speed, it often uses articulation, 
space, tonal nuance and carefully constructed melodic phrases.

The saxophone adds another important colour to this sound, creating a dialogue between
rock instrumentation and jazz-influenced musical expression.

The vocal and guitar responsibilities of Terence Reis are central to the project’s
identity. His interpretation seeks to capture the distinctive musical character 
of the original repertoire while maintaining the energy of a contemporary live performance.

![The Show | The Dire Straits Experience](https://i0.wp.com/direstraitsexperience.
com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/58781440_448467362590600_7770097555068682240_n-600x800.
jpg?resize=640%2C853&ssl=1)

At PHIL Haarlem, the Grote Zaal provided the appropriate scale for this production.
The concert’s larger setting allowed the ensemble to present the familiar arrangements
with the depth and dynamics that have made these songs so enduring.

This was a celebration of musical memory, but also a reminder that great compositions
never remain confined to the period in which they were created. They continue to
find new audiences and new life on the concert stage.

## Germany – Henrik Freischlader Band

![Henrik Freischlader - Lonely World (Pascal Schmidt) | hanslucas.com](https://images.
openai.com/static-rsc-4/mXc-paEkO2FSlRSBA9KqDvnzlzC2mkPa3tSq7_IMeywuqXargbYCORasgdpUKaNyN-
BQNrtaAGQCoAhGZBf8mpU0yFtfPtExkZ6QzhUFyfqsx6bGjaqI5oTzt1f2079-THoBL7Gj7w4_LePMPQ90gW5CpprUDn8IJVo2iIr4KtZ4Wa_CUW-
U-hq6tZBX6crJ?purpose=fullsize)

### Precious Time Tour 2026 – Scala Club, Leverkusen

_**8 November 2026 · Leverkusener Jazztage!**_

The German blues programme reaches another important moment with the appearance 
of Henrik Freischlader, one of the most respected contemporary European blues-rock
guitarists, singers, songwriters and producers.

His Precious Time Tour 2026 represents a particularly interesting new chapter in
his artistic development. After more than two decades of establishing his distinctive
musical identity, Freischlader returns with a newly formed blues-rock quartet and
fresh material associated with his forthcoming album Precious Time.

The new ensemble consists of: Henrik Freischlader – vocals and guitar, Dave Warmerdam–
Hammond organ and keyboards, Gregor Sonnenberg – bass, Leon Mucke – drums.

The return to the quartet format is significant. It provides Freischlader with the
opportunity to explore a direct, organic and intensely interactive musical language,
in which the guitar, Hammond organ and rhythm section can develop a powerful collective
sound.

Freischlader’s guitar playing has always been distinguished by its combination of
blues authenticity and personal expression. His phrasing is recognisable through
its expressive bends, carefully controlled dynamics, warm tone and ability to sustain
a musical thought. His solos often develop like conversations, moving between restrained
melodic statements and passionate climaxes. His voice is equally important to the
identity of his music. It carries the emotional weight of the blues, communicating
experiences of longing, determination, reflection and personal transformation.

Dave Warmerdam’s Hammond organ is an especially valuable addition. The instrument’s
rich harmonic character can fill the musical space without overpowering the guitar,
creating a powerful connection with the rhythm section. Gregor Sonnenberg’s bass
provides the foundation for the quartet’s groove, while Leon Mucke contributes the
rhythmic drive and flexibility necessary for spontaneous improvisation.

The upcoming album Precious Time is particularly important because it marks Freischlader’s
first studio long-player since 2022. The new quartet’s live performances are intended
to introduce the musical direction of this next recording while also drawing upon
his established repertoire.

![Henrik Freischlader live bei den Leverkusener Jazztagen 2023 - Events - Rockpalast-
Fernsehen](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_D3SYBRbngiA3Oh1Yb1BDRig1RVaSdC5OkICLQmtS3y5YnMakC9Afg1zc3c9rKXngWiopVomH3Rlflo2afouaQ8xy83MT_hRgoJddbhum5DS4WO_Dv-
6HNRRUpm9cBSTXcGTzdSe4StBbrx3llVs-srWCOMi77o7Xzazku0-65lb3rcOLALuKDHZgHL0TR0e?purpose
=fullsize)

The Scala Club in Leverkusen is a fitting destination for this performance. Its 
intimate environment is particularly suitable for blues, where the relationship 
between performer and audience is an essential part of the experience.

This concert is scheduled for this evening, 8 November, and therefore should be 
presented as a highlight of the current festival day rather than as an already completed
performance.

It is an excellent illustration of the festival’s commitment to blues as a living
art form: a music of tradition, individual expression, freedom and constant reinvention.

## Denmark – Rita Payés & Lucía Fumero

![Rita Payés: el trombón como instrumento para ejercitar el alma](https://images.
openai.com/static-rsc-4/tVgaRXnru73bCVgOTnVtdZQEyDohMN6gTUA8jd22dUTqFCoLwF4FmiPgaF-
8CPvnAX7im1EwjgrodFfiQqWsIrR0YOtBQBLzPNmdZ_BbBFAQbJLo6r-8b9H8xdO-tk8-Wn8b8sa_4qK4JhpINo2BuQHKuelpR_0efGHHTK1DRfxL1AEKwgUdM24lxhWKwv1f?
purpose=fullsize)

### Store VEGA, Copenhagen

_**8 November 2026! **_Copenhagen welcomes one of the most delicate and artistically
intriguing collaborations of the November programme: the meeting of Spanish jazz
vocalist and trombonist Rita Payés with pianist and composer Lucía Fumero.

Their performance at the celebrated Store VEGA offers an opportunity to discover
a musical universe in which jazz, Mediterranean traditions, Latin American rhythms
and contemporary songwriting meet with remarkable naturalness.

Rita Payés has developed an individual artistic identity through her dual role as
vocalist and trombonist. Her musical personality is particularly fascinating because
she approaches the voice and the trombone as complementary instruments.

Her singing possesses an intimate, warm and expressive quality. Rather than relying
on excessive vocal ornamentation, she places great importance on phrasing, melodic
clarity and emotional sincerity. Her interpretations can evoke the intimacy of a
bolero, the relaxed elegance of bossa nova or the freedom of contemporary jazz. 
Her trombone playing provides another dimension to this musical language. Its rounded
tone and expressive possibilities allow her to move between lyrical melodic passages
and more traditionally jazz-oriented improvisation.

Lucía Fumero brings a distinctive pianistic personality to the collaboration. Her
work is informed by jazz, classical music and the rich musical traditions of Spain
and Latin America. Her harmonic language is colourful and sophisticated, yet she
maintains a natural sense of melodic direction.

![Mercado de Música Viva de Vic 2024: la alegría jazzística de Lucia Fumero inaugura
una despedida emotiva](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/qDnpCF2eDqqKvejdqw4tEkq3PqMHkZX5c1VHhCRMQD5C1yu0AzkV56jlDzZRSeSrtssuF0DxByUkyihBpFABe9bwqRqK_R_bhuUhQCGrzI4au040-
3tMs-pG8qH8OlaFACPQ8gKQ1n_rCl-cYlmh22YTTFvpcMB5xHD5kqbFtN2tWLZhTGInSEo0NEy6a2nG?
purpose=fullsize)

The piano and voice can create a particularly beautiful musical dialogue. A vocal
phrase may be answered by a delicate piano response; a simple harmonic progression
can gradually develop into an imaginative improvisational passage.

The intimacy of this format makes every musical detail significant. Silence becomes
part of the composition, rhythm can emerge from the smallest gesture, and the emotional
character of a melody can become more important than its technical complexity.

Store VEGA, one of Copenhagen’s best-known live-music venues, provides an excellent
setting for such an encounter. This performance represents the Mediterranean and
Iberian dimension of the EU Jazz & Blues Festival: a musical encounter built on 
sensitivity, colour, cultural memory and artistic imagination.

## Croatia – Bojan Z

![Anteprima](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/1aye1rG6-eyLqbo4AJrrb6ZC87HYxQkbvh6p6ygTI9JBm0ax7rKhc-
x13TcyJc32Pj-S6Ap25zzMIXhbMZgP8ICNQuZb6GDMP6RVKUB7TP4POVwnDj4n36CgDqOF40aWyhWKuLIHd_kfAcnGJg42TGo6_d3BwwlCS8Vb_nkigN-
YXaSWScRJDrJ1t5SsTPfp?purpose=fullsize)

### Dubrovnik Jazz Outbreak

_**Lazareti, Dubrovnik. 8 November 2026 · Solo piano! **_The historic Croatian city
of Dubrovnik provides a particularly atmospheric setting for the appearance of internationally
celebrated pianist and composer Bojan Z, whose musical personality has become one
of the most distinctive in contemporary European jazz.

Born in Belgrade and internationally recognised under the name Bojan Z, he has developed
a pianistic language that brings together modern jazz, Balkan musical traditions,
classical influences and an adventurous approach to improvisation. His musical identity
is particularly interesting because it does not depend upon a single stylistic tradition.
Instead, he approaches different musical influences as elements of one expressive
language.

His piano playing can be rhythmically powerful and harmonically adventurous, but
it also possesses a lyrical and reflective side. His compositions frequently reveal
an unusual relationship between melody and rhythmic structure, with unexpected harmonic
turns and a strong sense of musical architecture.

The solo piano format is especially revealing. Without a rhythm section or accompanying
instruments, the pianist must create the entire musical world independently.

Bojan Z is particularly well suited to this challenge. He can suggest the pulse 
of an entire ensemble through left-hand rhythmic figures, develop intricate melodic
counterpoint and move from delicate passages to powerful improvisational statements.

His relationship with Balkan musical traditions also adds a distinctive character
to his work. Rhythmic patterns and melodic gestures associated with southeastern
Europe can become transformed through contemporary jazz harmony, producing music
that feels both deeply rooted and completely modern.

The concert takes place within the Dubrovnik Jazz Outbreak Festival, at the historic
Lazareti complex, an extraordinary cultural location whose architecture and maritime
history provide a special atmosphere for artistic encounters.

![11. Pančevački Jazz Festival](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/Vjz35QHR4u-
REmiTD8xTD1FedLND9bygBPDziuEh9NhlnqNUHt8pSecl2-itjofZ6slzRMIUidsAQw8pvzwwVYskI_GvpckdNDHNYAONp2KRpzNXLm13-
gTOBAHAHJdC4FEeTHwVILOXRTJPBjjX-tsegdcdqZXvHtJA6zK10FOyXJ3aWsxeoIfJUcyWQKyG?purpose
=fullsize)

The choice of a solo recital is especially meaningful. It allows the audience to
experience the pianist’s musical imagination without interruption, revealing the
personal and expressive dimensions of his artistry.

Dubrovnik adds an unmistakable visual and historical character to this festival 
chapter. The meeting of contemporary jazz with a city shaped by centuries of Mediterranean
cultural exchange is an especially beautiful representation of the European spirit
of the season.

## Norway – Chris Potter Trio

![Chris Potter | Jazz in Marciac](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/9fF4T1-
P7gSL57ZsM9TXdnMMcey2iMTUUKosk4tZOwsZg02WF_stdSivT9QQebcIvR4IQgMHfoF2YEaJXnNnEAxoT8Q8IRrVaqfaR2NqIlX-
3etcxOyTKtT_Avk1mOVwzWDRoNa06aBhGUhDjvuTBh2dB6wjMWhBczFo3Q5LIHvqUTdfhmk9shtQdkpQ4TIh?
purpose=fullsize)

### Nasjonal Jazzscene – Victoria, Oslo

_**European tour · Matt Brewer and Kendrick Scott! **_The appearance of Chris Potter,
accompanied by bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Kendrick Scott, represents one of
the most important contemporary jazz projects in the festival’s international programme.

Potter is widely recognised as one of the leading saxophonists of his generation.
His artistic development has been closely connected with the evolution of modern
American jazz, and his work with outstanding musicians across different generations
has established him as an exceptionally versatile instrumentalist and composer. 
His musical vocabulary combines extraordinary technical command with intellectual
depth and an impressive capacity for spontaneous invention.

His saxophone sound is immediately recognisable for its strength, flexibility and
harmonic sophistication. His improvisations can be rhythmically complex and structurally
ambitious, but they also retain a powerful melodic identity. The trio’s instrumentation
creates a particularly exciting musical environment.

![Matt Brewer Jazz Bassist - Gerhard Richter Köln](https://images.openai.com/static-
rsc-4/H7Lb8sCYlMMrWnEYodbH4Cc2aw-LNzPCSLhDPksKUXcBu3g7X3RbdMSg0414qkbC_HISV4xMJazDxuKG4X7Hdr6mEZ_S7kEeivqdnBR8NJ7YXNs4x-
L5EXVLuWd4Uu_Mk7zbe89wXdeW4JC2jT1K0j9X6hRkBpr2g8eA1qz2hZWvMcFvQkQamc8ZdyNcSc5H?purpose
=fullsize)

**Matt Brewer – double bass**

Brewer is an important voice in contemporary jazz bass playing. His work is characterised
by harmonic intelligence, rhythmic precision and an ability to support adventurous
improvisation without restricting the music’s natural development.

His bass lines can provide a firm foundation, but they can also become an independent
melodic voice, responding to Potter’s saxophone and creating counterpoint with the
drums.

![“Kendrick Scott” by Roberto Cifarelli - Jazz Photo](https://images.openai.com/
static-rsc-4/XaHf1_QMS4VDh0igZxvPUXtdCL2d5IIKFuEfb1Qlhe9T6cVtRBPyMVjs4gERKU87w6ygtOG23UApUTM3tj7pPVknb6XiREu3w5xyOnwku6msxO0gJx_d1gtp2IIMV3KOMro9wx2vnHOzEcmLwV0H4jCxPaoA9dYbD41bOqN7kMzhlhlhxuaVWPSVdKi6Vnkp?
purpose=fullsize)

**Kendrick Scott – drums**

Scott brings extraordinary rhythmic sensitivity and a sophisticated understanding
of contemporary jazz drumming. His playing combines power, subtlety and an impressive
command of rhythmic texture.

His ability to shift between intricate rhythmic patterns, restrained accompaniment
and explosive energy makes him an ideal partner for Potter’s musical imagination.

The trio’s greatest strength is its capacity to create a complete musical architecture
with only three instruments. The saxophone becomes the principal melodic voice, 
while bass and drums provide an ever-changing environment of harmonic and rhythmic
possibilities.

This is not simply a conventional saxophone-led trio. It is a conversation among
three highly individual musicians, each contributing equally to the development 
of the music. The venue explicitly notes that the concert was moved forward by one
day, and its listing names Potter, Brewer and Scott as the performing musicians.
Consequently, this should be presented as an upcoming European tour highlight rather
than a concert already performed last night.

The Victoria club, with its long-standing commitment to contemporary jazz, is a 
particularly appropriate setting for this trio. Oslo’s jazz culture has always valued
both artistic experimentation and the intimate relationship between performers and
listeners.

The Norwegian chapter of the festival thus promises a powerful encounter with the
present and future of acoustic jazz.

## The artistic leadership of the festival – Olivia Pievas

![](https://i0.wp.com/jazzblues.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Olivia-Peevas-JazzBlues.
EU_-e1793819746792.jpg?resize=640%2C429&ssl=1)

### Director and Organiser of the EU Jazz & Blues Festival 2026

At the heart of the EU Jazz & Blues Festival 2026 stands its director and organiser,**
Olivia Pievas**, whose leadership gives the Autumn–Winter Jazz – Blues Season its
distinctive artistic vision and European character.

A festival of this geographical scale requires more than the ability to assemble
a programme of distinguished musicians. It requires a clear understanding of musical
culture, an appreciation of different artistic traditions, organisational determination
and the ability to bring together venues, performers and audiences from different
countries.

Olivia Peevas’s role is particularly important in creating a programme that does
not limit itself to one musical tradition or geographical area. The November concerts
demonstrate an ambitious artistic perspective in which established masters and contemporary
innovators occupy equally important positions.

The programme brings together the European jazz heritage represented by Henri Texier,
the contemporary guitar language of Gilad Hekselman, the poetic collaboration of
Shuteen Erdenebaatar and Nils Kugelmann, the expressive blues-rock of Danny Bryant
and Henrik Freischlader, and the enduring musical legacy celebrated by The Dire 
Straits Experience.

At the same time, the appearances of Rita Payés and Lucía Fumero, Bojan Z and Chris
Potter’s trio demonstrate the festival’s interest in different generations, musical
cultures and forms of improvisational expression. This diversity is an important
achievement of artistic programming.

![](https://i0.wp.com/jazzblues.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cropped-Europe-Jazz-
Blues-Festivals-e1722000968346-1024x362.jpg?resize=640%2C226&ssl=1)

### A European vision beyond musical borders

One of the most valuable aspects of **Olivia Pievas**‘s festival concept is its 
international orientation. The Autumn – Winter Jazz – Blues Season creates a musical
route across Europe, connecting Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands,
Denmark, Croatia and Norway.

Each country contributes its own cultural atmosphere. The Portuguese concert introduces
the lyrical and sophisticated character of European jazz. Italy offers the cosmopolitan
energy of contemporary improvisation. France presents an intimate encounter between
piano and bass. Germany brings the emotional intensity of blues-rock. The Netherlands
celebrates the legacy of blues-influenced British rock, while Denmark offers the
refined musical dialogue of two Spanish artists.

Croatia provides a meeting between contemporary jazz and the historic Mediterranean
environment, and Norway introduces the intellectual and improvisational energy of
the modern American jazz tradition.

![Écully. Henri Texier et son Trio Chance au centre culturel](https://images.openai.
com/static-rsc-4/o4djrgOsgn7S-WGOcH4jc28rmK2WuiCEUNsGwoClZu1GKaER0z9GrqEiFzg95nM9ug2CcxVKY7TnQfy7VLUrpKJw12ab1BsfQagTi50RnrQYA3uECXIEsbX-
5iduWWwTy8BDGuB1Js3FLsum1cfYEYWW0BE8ZDKZm3-XaZ7Dh5N07_dyd27-pSKsuVv9TnVp?purpose
=fullsize)

These different artistic experiences become part of one larger cultural narrative.
Such programming reflects an understanding that jazz and blues are not isolated 
musical categories. They are international languages that have developed through
cultural exchange, artistic exploration and the continuous movement of musicians
between countries.

### Building a platform for established masters and new generations

An important responsibility of any artistic director is to maintain a balance between
internationally recognised musicians and emerging or developing artistic voices.

Olivia Peevas’s programme places established figures alongside younger musicians
whose careers are helping shape the future of European jazz.

The combination of Henri Texier and the younger duo of Shuteen Erdenebaatar and 
Nils Kugelmann is particularly representative of this philosophy.

![Henrik Freischlader Band: Community Immunity | GITARRE & BASS](https://images.
openai.com/static-rsc-4/2Lk-keWmgduUfhf8s5jvYBT-RnnR6uRgn8xwaJdw4beh5CY9JcPjPx7dnazn_dA9eThNi15mO8mzlI5Jrmxvnx-
_VaOjSygen5pF_HcPj9wPr-xuNx4bos8AnybfdnfNss-W3ObOhjJHxS3rA9NRrimzNAMPT3_SB1a-uYcdsH7BpeL95QAAB1uE3k0qSywl?
purpose=fullsize)

The festival also recognises that jazz and blues audiences are diverse. Some listeners
are attracted by sophisticated improvisation and experimental compositions; others
appreciate expressive blues guitar, memorable melodies and the cultural heritage
of legendary rock music. By bringing these different audiences together, the festival
creates opportunities for musical discovery and broadens the cultural reach of its
programme.

### The importance of the festival’s European identity

The Autumn–Winter Jazz – Blues Season also has an important cultural dimension. 
European cities become more than geographical locations on a concert schedule. Their
concert halls, historic buildings, cultural centres and intimate clubs provide individual
atmospheres that influence the experience of live music.

The festival’s identity is therefore closely connected with the places in which 
it takes place. In the golden autumn and approaching winter, the European cultural
landscape provides a particularly evocative background for this musical journey:
illuminated concert halls, historic squares, old streets, riverside promenades and
the intimate atmosphere of jazz clubs. This connection between music and place gives
the season an additional artistic dimension.

### Olivia Pievas – a commendable festival vision

**Olivia Pievas** deserves particular recognition for the ambition of bringing together
such a broad musical panorama under one European festival identity. Her role as 
director and organiser represents the coordination of artistic programming and the
wider cultural purpose of the season.

The programme’s international reach and stylistic diversity provide a strong foundation
for presenting jazz and blues as essential parts of Europe’s contemporary cultural
life.

It is especially important to recognise the people who work behind the scenes to
make international cultural projects possible. The musicians receive the applause,
but the artistic direction, organisation and coordination are indispensable to the
existence of the festival itself.

The EU Jazz & Blues Festival 2026 should therefore be celebrated not only for the
artists appearing on its stages but also for the vision that brings these performances
together.

Our warmest appreciation goes to** Olivia Pievas** for her dedication, ambition 
and contribution to this European musical celebration.

May the festival continue to develop, attract exceptional musicians, discover new
artistic voices and establish lasting cultural connections between European countries.

### Closing reflections – A European season united by music

The November programme demonstrates the artistic breadth and international ambitions
of the EU Jazz & Blues Festival 2026.

![Das fulminante Album-Debüt des Münchner Bassisten Nils Kugelmann - München - SZ.
de](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/2USL30VW9TFUjkxyrDg_oXt3t8kheR9tcl4tmQL0Z4M5vc3Q1Vym2YBybp4yS-
aHCmCyASzf2O6YAIaZOCrb3DVFe5EYOd7GUDtj4Gpb-1QPfle1j0cK_v286lTr8R6847jocTIoBsex3TNFPJ1p5yTd0aoHHUPRo7rW4jXkgW1YdcuZ2NCxPlb0dXcvTa70?
purpose=fullsize)

Nine concert announcements reveal an extraordinary variety of musical personalities
and experiences. From the poetic improvisational universe of Henri Texier to the
contemporary guitar language of Gilad Hekselman; from the intimate piano-and-bass
dialogue of Shuteen Erdenebaatar and Nils Kugelmann to the passionate blues-rock
of Henrik Freischlader; from the Mediterranean colours of Rita Payés and Lucía Fumero
to the remarkable individual expression of Bojan Z and the modern jazz language 
of Chris Potter, the programme offers a fascinating portrait of today’s musical 
world.

It is also a reminder that blues and jazz remain closely connected, despite their
different historical developments. Both traditions are founded on expression, individuality,
communication and the freedom to transform musical ideas into personal statements.

The festival’s greatest strength is its willingness to embrace these different approaches
without imposing artificial stylistic boundaries. Under the artistic direction and
organisation of **Olivia Pievas**, the Autumn–Winter Jazz – Blues Season 2026 continues
to celebrate the cultural richness of Europe through the universal language of music.
May its stages remain places of inspiration, discovery and unforgettable musical
encounters.

**By Lauren Wulff, Daniella Bushler, Katrin Woods, Olivia Lomberd**

![Trio Grande feat. Gilad Hekselman, Will Vinson & Nate Wood — Zig Zag Jazz Club
Berlin](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/Atw8MTTL6zmv0E0DnB4rzHe6NHnnvJT9mGiueonDMW9gVjaZVnX0YVMPfp5coupBGsxFkNJAPU69fgRXdPJT76eicN7C_u757JIhr-
Pn_KphvjmORg-5xm4GpDFyMb8C8F4Brwx6zpZc8XfHCYdIZqMhqN0OFIDkpvERTP8DpSfD5KIIVA4A6P89Dmqjv9md?
purpose=fullsize)

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