The warm July nights in Sofia will once again pulse to the rhythm of jazz, soul, funk, and boundless energy – A to JazZ Festival returns from July 3–6, transforming South Park II into a vibrant open-air stage. The 14th edition promises an even bigger and more inspiring experience, and Dinya will be on-site once again to capture the festival’s brightest highlights and bring you closer to the artists and the stories behind the scenes.
The festival kicks off on July 3 with the World Music Showcase – the most diverse day in the program, offering a stage for exciting new musical discoveries from across the globe. Bands from different cultures and genres will come together in one place, proving that music is a universal language – from ethno and world sounds to contemporary experimental blends.
On July 4, the stage will be shaken by Kennedy Administration – the high-energy New York-based group known for their colorful mix of soul, funk, jazz, and pop. Frontwoman Kennedy captivates with a phenomenal voice, while behind the keys is the gifted pianist and producer Ondre J. With a strong presence in clubs and festivals across the U.S. and Europe, the group has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting acts on the contemporary soul and jazz scene.
photo: Kennedy Administration
Saturday’s spotlight belongs to Keyon Harrold – one of the most prominent jazz trumpeters of our time, known for his work with Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, and Gregory Porter. Harrold rose to wider recognition as the trumpet voice behind Don Cheadle’s Miles Ahead (2015), the Grammy-winning Miles Davis biopic, and with his critically acclaimed 2017 album The Mugician. With a warm, dramatic, and deeply expressive sound, Harrold bridges jazz virtuosity with social consciousness, making him one of the most influential artists of his generation.
photo by Kwafu Alston: Keyon Harrold
Closing out the festival on July 6 is the magnetic Adi Oasis – a singer, bassist, and producer known for her signature neo-soul sound and dazzling stage presence. Born in France to Caribbean roots and now based in New York, she enchants with a velvety tone and charismatic style. With performances at SXSW and Montreux Jazz Festival and collaborations with Anderson .Paak, Lianne La Havas, Kimbra, and Masego, Adi has become one of the defining voices of her generation, boasting millions of streams and devoted fans worldwide
photo by Cem Gultepe: Adi Oasis
This year’s international lineup also includes the French trio Emile Londonien – a fresh and modern wave in the nu-jazz genre, ROSEYE from the Netherlands – offering a delicate yet contemporary blend of soul and jazz, as well as the Spanish projects Jet Vesper and Gilipojazz.
As always, the strong Bulgarian presence is at the heart of the festival. Among the highlights are Uke Duo, a young act presenting their debut album “Vizh”, blending bossa nova and original songwriting; guitarist Angel Demirev, known for his signature fusion, funk, and ethno-inspired sound; and talented trombonist Ivan Melin, performing with his quintet and debut album “The Beginning of Authenticity”. We’ll also hear the legendary jazz band Zone C with their latest release “Quantum Integrity”, featuring previously unreleased compositions by the late Vasil Parmakov, the group’s founder. Also taking the stage is rising trumpet talent Alex Vitkov – VI:TKOV, who is making waves on the Bulgarian jazz scene with his debut “Once Upon a Jazz”.
photo: Ivan Melin
A key part of the festival is the two-day international conference Music Talks on July 4 and 5, which annually brings together over 30 Bulgarian and international speakers to foster dialogue on the most pressing topics in today’s music industry. This year’s focus includes the future of the live music scene in the Balkans, innovative brand experiences, the importance of music education, and strategies for emerging artists to break through. Panelists include experts from KEXP, Eventim, North Sea Jazz, Berklee Valencia, Edinburgh Napier University, STUFISH London, SAMA, Charmenko, and more – alongside leading Bulgarian professionals such as Ivo Dimchev, Yordan Zhechev, Anna Velikova, Ivan Yotov, and others.
Immerse yourself in the sounds of the festival now and listen to our specially curated playlist – Dinya presents: Best of A to JazZ, featuring some of the most brilliant artists from over the years.
Follow www.dinya.eu and our social media for more festival magic.
photos: A to JazZ festival archive
text: Sofia Hussein for Dinya
