Four-Time Grammy Winner Terri Lyne Carrington Leads the Third Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival

At the end of August, the enchanting island of Lopud will once again transform into a vibrant jazz hub, bringing together young musicians from Croatia, the region, and across the globe to learn directly from leading global music legends.

 

In its third edition, the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival, which takes place from August 28 to 30, will host top international jazz artists on the idyllic island of Lopud. This summer, young musicians from Croatia and the region will have the opportunity to learn from the renowned drummer, composer, producer, and music educator Terri Lyne Carrington, who will serve as this year’s Master-in-Residence.

Terri has been a defining force in contemporary jazz for over four decades. She launched her professional career at just ten years old as the youngest member of Boston’s musicians’ union, and by eleven, she had earned a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Over the years, she has received four Grammy Awards, the Doris Duke Artist Award, and the highest U.S. honor in jazz – NEA Jazz Master. In 2013, she made history as the first woman to win a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, with her record Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue.

Anora

“Honest dialogue and deep listening with an open heart are some of the most important aspects of performing music. They are part of the tissue that connects the artist to the humanity in others, bringing forth great storytelling. I’m looking forward to having these important dialogues at the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival”, said Terri Lyne Carrington.

She is known for her highly musical drumming, openness to different genres, and ability to establish a dynamic dialogue with other artists through music. During her rich career, she has collaborated with global jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Wayne Shorter, Stan Getz and Esperanza Spalding. She is the founder of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, where she advocates for gender equality and greater visibility of women in jazz. Her work has also been recognized through honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music and the University of York.

 

Sean Baker filming “Anora”

 

Every year at the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival, young musicians from Croatia, the region, and around the world have the opportunity to learn directly from leading global jazz artists through intensive workshops and joint performances. A selected number of young professional musicians from around the world are invited to participate in a transformative musical experience, and the highest-level musicians are chosen to learn from Terri Lyne Carrington and other mentors through intensive daily workshops, evening concerts, jam sessions, and special festival activities throughout the day. All interested young musicians can apply to take part in the festival, where, through working with Terri and the festival mentors, they will have the opportunity to explore new dimensions of their own creativity and artistic expression.

 

Ponta Lopud Film Festival

“This is a unique opportunity for all jazz musicians who want to work in a stimulating environment and grow into world-class musicians. We select only two to three musicians per instrument, which makes this experience extremely exclusive and intimate, and each participant truly has the opportunity to be seen,” emphasized co-founder and artistic director of the festival Thana Alexa.

Online auditions for all young professional musicians who meet the necessary criteria will be open from June 2, and information about the festival program and tickets will be announced soon.

 

 

Ponta Lopud Film Festival

The Ponta Lopud creative platform presents three summer culture programs in 2025 and welcomes all art lovers, primarily of film, music, and literature. The Ponta Lopud Film Festival is the first of the three events and will celebrate cinematic art from June 26 to 28. The second event, which will attract music lovers from August 28 to 30, is the popular Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival, while the Ponta Lopud Book Bridge, taking place from September 18 to 20, will turn the island into a literary haven, rounding off the summer events.