It is very important for a country to have a unique identity, rich culture, and stories that need to be told, but it is even more important that the people of a country connect to the world in today’s global village. Intermingling cultures is what makes our world today develop and what makes it even more wonderful. Art forms are probably the most sincere forms of expression and something which can be called a universal language. Musical expression takes form of a concert or festival and Skopje has its own musical events. One very important event is the Skopje Jazz Festival. Following the development of jazz trends in Skopje has a 30 year old tradition because of this festival. It started out small in 1982 year after year it developed into an excellently organized festival welcoming world famous jazz musicians.
The Kronos Quartet, Herbie Hancock, Cecil Taylor, Jimmy Smith, Pat Metheny, Al Di Meola, Ray Charles, Tito Puente, B.B. King Jan Gabarek, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Ornette Coleman, Anthony Braxton, Dave Murray, Marisa Monte and many more have performed on this festival.
Each year there are new jazz stars on the stage, opening their hearts though jazz notes which know no limits, celebrate the freedom of the spirit, defy the rules and please the guests.
The festival is held at the end of each year. In the past it has had musicians from Brazil, Senegal, Poland, Switzerland, Norway, Great Britain the countries of the Balkan Peninsula and many more.
The program is various and can offer you all the jazz styles. The jazz artists perform on several stages during the days of the festival, such as the Universal Hall, the Youth Cultural Centre, the Hard Rock discotheque. Until now more than 2000 musicians and 300 bands were part of this musical event which is a member of the European jazz network. So, if you are visiting Macedonia, and want to experience a taste of its jazz culture you should definitely come to this event. Not only will you enjoy famous jazz musicians but you will also sample some Macedonian jazz.