Only a few days remain until the third edition of the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival, which will, from August 28 to 30 once again transform the island of Lopud into a world-class jazz destination. This year’s festival brings together a record number of outstanding young musicians from several continents, who will, through lectures, morning masterclasses, evening concerts, and jam sessions, have the opportunity to learn, create, and perform in direct dialogue with some of today’s leading jazz artists.
The festival program features acclaimed and innovative performers such as Sofía Rei, a two-time Grammy-nominated vocalist and producer whose music blends South American traditions with contemporary jazz expression. Rei has collaborated with music legends such as John Zorn, Bobby McFerrin, and Maria Schneider. On the festival’s opening night, she will perform alongside JC Maillard and Túpac Mantilla, followed by a jam session led by vocalist, composer, and festival artistic director Thana Alexa.
Sofia Rei
On the second day of the festival, the enchanting garden of Hotel Grand will host Ben Wendel, a Canadian-American saxophonist and Grammy-nominated composer who has worked with artists including Prince and Snoop Dogg. He will be joined by pianist Shai Maestro, bassist Joe Sanders – a longtime collaborator of jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock – and Antonio Sánchez, one of today’s most sought-after jazz drummers and a four-time Grammy winner, internationally recognized for his original score for the Oscar-winning film Birdman (2014). The concert will be followed by a jam session featuring this year’s festival fellows.
Ben Wendel
On the final day of the festival, internationally acclaimed next-generation vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Michael Mayo will take the stage, blending jazz and R&B into a unique sonic fusion alongside his band members Andrew Freedman, Nick Campbell, and Robin Baytas. Mayo has performed and recorded with Lenny Kravitz, Herbie Hancock, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ben Wendel, among others, and his latest album Fly (2024) has been praised by critics worldwide. After the concert, the final jam session and a closing party will round off the festival.
Each festival morning is devoted to interactive masterclasses where fellows – young musicians from over ten countries – refine their skills, exchange ideas, and build a creative community under the mentorship of top-tier artists. Evening hours are reserved for concerts under the starry Lopud sky – from Sofía Rei’s musical narrative of Chile’s Elqui Valley, to the innovative sound of Ben Wendel Group, and the vocal improvisations of Michael Mayo. The open jam sessions, led by Thana Alexa, offer space for spontaneous musical dialogue through performances shaped entirely by the moment – free from sheet music or pre-set structure.
At the heart of this year’s program is jazz master Terri Lyne Carrington – an NEA Jazz Master, four-time Grammy Award winner, and a trailblazer in advancing gender equity on the global jazz scene. Not only does Carrington push musical boundaries through her albums and educational initiatives, but her authentic mentorship leaves a lasting mark on generations of young musicians. Her vision, deeply embedded in institutions such as the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, continues to inspire festival participants this summer through open masterclasses and collaborative performances.
Terri Lyne Carrington
Festival organizers emphasize the importance of fostering intergenerational exchange and creative freedom, inviting music lovers to be part of this singular artistic experience. “I invite everyone who loves music not only to attend the concerts but to share in this special energy and the joy of togetherness. Every performance at the festival is like a conversation – between us, the artists, the audience, and the moment we create together. Music connects us, transcends time, and teaches us to listen with our hearts. So come, and be part of this story, this family that celebrates life through notes, rhythm, and emotion,” said festival co-founder and artistic director Thana Alexa.
Tickets for the evening concerts are available through the Entrio system. Free transportation aboard the Argosy boat is provided for visitors from Dubrovnik, departing daily at 7:00 p.m. from the Lapad coastline, near the bus stop in front of the Faculty of Economics. Return service departs from in front of Hotel Lafodia at midnight.
The creative platform Ponta Lopud encompasses three cultural programs in the summer of 2025, welcoming all lovers of art—particularly film, music, and literature. The Ponta Lopud Film Festival is the first of these three events, celebrating cinema from 26 to 28 June. The second event, the popular Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival, will attract music enthusiasts from 28 to 30 August, while the Ponta Lopud Book Bridge will turn the island into a literary haven from 18 to 20 September, rounding off the season of summer cultural events.
