August 29 – 31, 2024
2024 Jazz Festival
The second edition of the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival once again brought Lopud Island to life, guided by Master in Residence Kenny Werner. Over three days, 14 young professional musicians honed their craft through inspiring masterclasses, performances, and jam sessions. The festival featured unforgettable concerts, including the Nicole Zuraitis Quartet, Linda May Han Oh & The Glass Hours, and Thana Alexa featuring Antonio Sánchez, Michael League, and Antonio Mazzei. Following each concert, the audience seating transformed into a jazz club and open jam sessions took over, calling on fellows, masters, and jazz enthusiasts to step on stage and communicate with one another through the art of improvisation.
“The Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival is truly one of its kind. We had a beautiful week playing music, sharing information with the enthusiastic students and absorbing the local culture. We hope we will be returning to soon!
Linda May Han Oh – Grammy winning bassist from Australia/ Malaysia – Jazz Festival 2024
“The Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival is a rare treat and a rare experience. Great talent and tremendous commitment by two giants in Jazz, Thana Alexa and Antonio Sanchez”.
Kenny Werner – American jazz pianist and composer, Jazz Festival 2024
“Ponta Lopud is everything a small, exquisitely-curated festival should be. An idyllic location, incredible hospitality, direct contact between the artists and the audience, and an unpretentious ambiance that is, at the same time, extremely luxurious. I hope to come back for many more editions.”
Michael League – 5x Grammy winning bassist/ producer from USA, Jazz Festival 2024
I don’t often describe things as perfect, but the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival is perfection in every way. Absolute highlight of my career in music.
Nicole Zuraitis – Grammy winning vocalist and pianist, Jazz Festival 2024
Masterclasses
Daily masterclasses offer young professional musicians a chance to learn from world-renowned artists with diverse cultural backgrounds and jazz interpretations. Led by the festival master and guest performers, these sessions delve into topics like industry trends, the internet’s impact on creativity, protecting music in the streaming era, and the art of musical storytelling. Fellows also join jam sessions, performing alongside the masters for invaluable feedback and guidance. This year, fourteen young jazz artists from Croatia, Europe, and South America were invited to Lopud based on their artistic credentials.
Concerts
Evening concerts were held over all three days, featuring some of the biggest names on the jazz scene. The performances took place in the garden of the Grand Hotel, attracting enthusiastic audiences and reaching full capacity.
29/08/2024
Concert: Nicole Zuraitis Quartet
Jam Session: Electronic Sounds and Improvisation led by Thana Alexa
30/08/2024
Concert: Linda May Han Oh & The Glass Hours
Jam Session: Ponta Lopud Jazz Participant House Band
31/08/2024
Concert: Thana Alexa featuring Antonio Sánchez, Michael League, and Antonio Mazzei
Jam Session: Ponta Lopud Jazz Participant House Band
Jam Sessions
A highlight of the festival was the jam session program, offering spontaneous improvisations that captivated both musicians and audience members. These sessions took place each evening after the concerts, with the concert venue swiftly transformed into a “jazz club”. Participants and other musicians from the audience joined in, creating unique musical experiences that could have lasted until morning.
Side Programs
Planting Legacy
Master Kenny Werner, guests of honor, and fellows planted an olive tree in Đorđić-Mayneri Park, continuing the festival’s tradition and symbolizing a lasting connection to Lopud Island.
Masters & Mentors
Kenny Werner
Master in Residence - Pianist and Composer
An American pianist and composer, Kenny Werner is a Grammy-nominated artist and a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient. He is the artistic director of the Effortless Mastery Institute a
Thana Alexa
Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival - Vocalist, Composer, and Producer
Vocalist, composer, and producer Thana Alexa is the artistic director of the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival. An artist of incredible creative energy and social engagement, she is the fi
Antonio Sánchez
Drummer and Composer
A four-time Grammy winner, Antonio Sánchez is one of the most sought-after drummers in the international jazz scene. As a band leader and solo artist, he has released around ten a
Linda May Han Oh
Bassist and Composer
A Grammy Award-winning bassist and composer based in New York, Linda May Han Oh has performed and recorded with artists such as Pat Metheny, Kenny Barron, Joe Lovano, and Vijay Iye
Nicole Zuraitis
Vocalist, Pianist, Composer, and Arranger
A jazz vocalist, composer, pianist, and arranger based in New York, Nicole Zuraitis is a Grammy Award winner and two-time nominee. She won the prestigious Gold Medal at the America
Michael League
Bassist, Multi-instrumentalist, and Producer
A producer and musician from Catalonia, Spain, Michael League is a five-time Grammy Award winner with five additional nominations. He is the founder and leader of the instrumental
Fabian Almazan
Pianist and Composer
A Cuban-American pianist and composer, Fabian Almazan is a two-time Grammy nominee with roots in classical piano traditions from his childhood in Havana. He is the founder and dire
Will Vinson
Alto Saxophonist and Composer
Originally from London, Will Vinson is an alto saxophonist and composer who moved to New York in 1999. He has performed and recorded with artists like Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Kurt Rosen
Sara Serpa
Vocalist, Composer, and Improviser
Portuguese vocalist, composer, and improviser Sara Serpa explores the use of the voice as an instrument. The New York Times describes her as a “singer of polished vocal elega
Dan Pugach
Drummer and Composer
A Grammy-nominated drummer and composer, Dan Pugach is a three-time winner of the ASCAP Jazz Composition Award. He played drums on the Grammy-winning 2024 album How Love Begins, pr
Mark Whitfield II
Drummer
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Baton Rouge, Mark Whitfield II is a drummer who has performed with Kenny Garrett and other notable artists. A mainstay on the New York jazz scene, he
Antonio Mazzei
Pianist and Producer
An award-winning pianist and producer from Venezuela, Antonio Mazzei has worked with prominent artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Thana Alexa, and Rubén Blades. He has contribute
Idan Morim
Guitarist and Composer
Guitarist and composer Idan Morim is a sought-after sideman and session musician on the jazz and indie rock scene. He has performed with artists like Anat Cohen and Will Vinson and
Sam Weber
Bassist, Composer, and Arranger
A bassist, composer, and arranger based in Brooklyn, Sam Weber is in constant demand as a sideman, performing with a wide array of artists across genres. He is also an active educa
Kenny Werner
Master in Residence - Pianist and Composer
An American pianist and composer, Kenny Werner is a Grammy-nominated artist and a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient. He is the artistic director of the Effortless Mastery Institute a
Thana Alexa
Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival - Vocalist, Composer, and Producer
Vocalist, composer, and producer Thana Alexa is the artistic director of the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival. An artist of incredible creative energy and social engagement, she is the fi
Antonio Sánchez
Drummer and Composer
A four-time Grammy winner, Antonio Sánchez is one of the most sought-after drummers in the international jazz scene. As a band leader and solo artist, he has released around ten a
Linda May Han Oh
Bassist and Composer
A Grammy Award-winning bassist and composer based in New York, Linda May Han Oh has performed and recorded with artists such as Pat Metheny, Kenny Barron, Joe Lovano, and Vijay Iye
Nicole Zuraitis
Vocalist, Pianist, Composer, and Arranger
A jazz vocalist, composer, pianist, and arranger based in New York, Nicole Zuraitis is a Grammy Award winner and two-time nominee. She won the prestigious Gold Medal at the America
Michael League
Bassist, Multi-instrumentalist, and Producer
A producer and musician from Catalonia, Spain, Michael League is a five-time Grammy Award winner with five additional nominations. He is the founder and leader of the instrumental
Fabian Almazan
Pianist and Composer
A Cuban-American pianist and composer, Fabian Almazan is a two-time Grammy nominee with roots in classical piano traditions from his childhood in Havana. He is the founder and dire
Will Vinson
Alto Saxophonist and Composer
Originally from London, Will Vinson is an alto saxophonist and composer who moved to New York in 1999. He has performed and recorded with artists like Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Kurt Rosen
Sara Serpa
Vocalist, Composer, and Improviser
Portuguese vocalist, composer, and improviser Sara Serpa explores the use of the voice as an instrument. The New York Times describes her as a “singer of polished vocal elega
Dan Pugach
Drummer and Composer
A Grammy-nominated drummer and composer, Dan Pugach is a three-time winner of the ASCAP Jazz Composition Award. He played drums on the Grammy-winning 2024 album How Love Begins, pr
Mark Whitfield II
Drummer
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Baton Rouge, Mark Whitfield II is a drummer who has performed with Kenny Garrett and other notable artists. A mainstay on the New York jazz scene, he
Antonio Mazzei
Pianist and Producer
An award-winning pianist and producer from Venezuela, Antonio Mazzei has worked with prominent artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Thana Alexa, and Rubén Blades. He has contribute
Idan Morim
Guitarist and Composer
Guitarist and composer Idan Morim is a sought-after sideman and session musician on the jazz and indie rock scene. He has performed with artists like Anat Cohen and Will Vinson and
Sam Weber
Bassist, Composer, and Arranger
A bassist, composer, and arranger based in Brooklyn, Sam Weber is in constant demand as a sideman, performing with a wide array of artists across genres. He is also an active educa
Fellows
Agona Shporta
Agona Shporta, a vocalist and arranger from Prizren, Kosovo, studied vocal performance at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, where she also explored Indian
Alba Nacinovich
Alba Nacinovich, a jazz vocalist and composer trained in Trieste and Porto, has won awards across jazz, pop, electronic, and film music. She has performed with artists like Glauco
Andrea Mircheska
Andrea Mircheska, born in 1998 in Prilep, North Macedonia, is a jazz double bassist. She studied at DMU Bitola, FMU Skopje, and is pursuing postgraduate studies at FMU Belgrade. A
Bruno Bišćan
Bruno Bišćan, a jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger from Bjelovar, Croatia, earned a bachelor’s in jazz saxophone and a master’s in jazz composition from the University
Cecilia Collaço
Cecilia Collaço is a Brazilian drummer, composer, and educator, born in Florianópolis. She studied at EMESP and Unicamp and has performed with Rosa Passos and others. Currently b
Cristina Miguel Martínez
Cristina Miguel Martínez, a saxophonist, composer, and teacher from Sabadell, Spain, studied jazz saxophone at the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam and Kunst Universität Graz. She ha
Hrvoje Ćaćulović
Hrvoje Ćaćulović is a bassist from Bihać. He became part of Mostar’s music scene during his studies and has played in numerous bands and projects, including Mostar Sevdah Reu
Jens Meijer
Jens Meijer is a Dutch drummer, composer, and conceptual thinker who graduated from Codarts in 2020. His work combines music and philosophy, and he has collaborated with artists li
Luka Malko
Born in 2001 in Subotica, Serbia, Luka Malko is a guitarist and composer. Trained in classical guitar, he later pursued jazz studies at FMU Belgrade. Luka is a founder of the Youth
Maja Grgić (NIM)
Maja Grgić, also known as NIM, is a vocalist and composer who graduated in songwriting and performance from London’s Middlesex University. A recipient of the Porin Award for bes
Manuel Contrera
Manuel Contrera, a pianist and composer from Montevideo, Uruguay, blends jazz with Uruguayan genres like candombe. He has performed with prominent Uruguayan artists, such as Hugo F
Nevena Pejčić
Nevena Pejčić, born in 1996 in Subotica, Serbia, is a jazz pianist and composer. A graduate of FMU Belgrade and HfMT Cologne, she leads the vocal quartet MING and has worked on t
Rok Zalokar
Rok Zalokar is a pianist, composer, and producer from Slovenia, active in Ljubljana’s alt-jazz scene. He leads the spiritual jazz collective Zhlehtet and has released 15 albu
Viktor Tumbas
Viktor Tumbas, born in 1999 in Sombor, Serbia, is a cellist and composer. A graduate of FMU Belgrade, Viktor leads his quintet and released his debut album Depths in 2023. The albu
Agona Shporta
Agona Shporta, a vocalist and arranger from Prizren, Kosovo, studied vocal performance at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, where she also explored Indian
Alba Nacinovich
Alba Nacinovich, a jazz vocalist and composer trained in Trieste and Porto, has won awards across jazz, pop, electronic, and film music. She has performed with artists like Glauco
Andrea Mircheska
Andrea Mircheska, born in 1998 in Prilep, North Macedonia, is a jazz double bassist. She studied at DMU Bitola, FMU Skopje, and is pursuing postgraduate studies at FMU Belgrade. A
Bruno Bišćan
Bruno Bišćan, a jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger from Bjelovar, Croatia, earned a bachelor’s in jazz saxophone and a master’s in jazz composition from the University
Cecilia Collaço
Cecilia Collaço is a Brazilian drummer, composer, and educator, born in Florianópolis. She studied at EMESP and Unicamp and has performed with Rosa Passos and others. Currently b
Cristina Miguel Martínez
Cristina Miguel Martínez, a saxophonist, composer, and teacher from Sabadell, Spain, studied jazz saxophone at the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam and Kunst Universität Graz. She ha
Hrvoje Ćaćulović
Hrvoje Ćaćulović is a bassist from Bihać. He became part of Mostar’s music scene during his studies and has played in numerous bands and projects, including Mostar Sevdah Reu
Jens Meijer
Jens Meijer is a Dutch drummer, composer, and conceptual thinker who graduated from Codarts in 2020. His work combines music and philosophy, and he has collaborated with artists li
Luka Malko
Born in 2001 in Subotica, Serbia, Luka Malko is a guitarist and composer. Trained in classical guitar, he later pursued jazz studies at FMU Belgrade. Luka is a founder of the Youth
Maja Grgić (NIM)
Maja Grgić, also known as NIM, is a vocalist and composer who graduated in songwriting and performance from London’s Middlesex University. A recipient of the Porin Award for bes
Manuel Contrera
Manuel Contrera, a pianist and composer from Montevideo, Uruguay, blends jazz with Uruguayan genres like candombe. He has performed with prominent Uruguayan artists, such as Hugo F
Nevena Pejčić
Nevena Pejčić, born in 1996 in Subotica, Serbia, is a jazz pianist and composer. A graduate of FMU Belgrade and HfMT Cologne, she leads the vocal quartet MING and has worked on t
Rok Zalokar
Rok Zalokar is a pianist, composer, and producer from Slovenia, active in Ljubljana’s alt-jazz scene. He leads the spiritual jazz collective Zhlehtet and has released 15 albu
Viktor Tumbas
Viktor Tumbas, born in 1999 in Sombor, Serbia, is a cellist and composer. A graduate of FMU Belgrade, Viktor leads his quintet and released his debut album Depths in 2023. The albu
Actors
Goran Bogdan
Goran Bogdan, a Croatian actor born in 1980, graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb in 2012. He performed at the ZKM Theatre in plays like Hamlet and Gulliver’s Tr
Dado Ćosić
Dado Ćosić, a Croatian actor born in 1987, graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. A member of the ZKM Theatre ensemble since 2015, his film career began in 2014,
Anja Matković
Anja Matković, born in 1988 in Zagreb, is a Croatian actress and former professional alpine skier. A graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Arts, she has appeared in films, TV, and t
Jovana Stojiljković
Jovana Stojiljković, born in Belgrade in 1992, is a Serbian actress who began her career with a role in Clip while still in high school. A graduate of the Belgrade Faculty of Dram
Pavle Čemerikić
Pavle Čemerikić, born in 1998 in Prishtina, is a Serbian actor who began acting in Belgrade theatres at age ten. He earned international acclaim for his role as Faruk in The Whit
Amila Terzimehić
Amila Terzimehić, born in Sarajevo in 1988, is a Bosnian actress and former rhythmic gymnastics champion. A graduate and master’s degree holder from the Sarajevo Academy of Perf
Sara Klimoska
Sara Klimoska, born in Struga in 1994, is a Northern Macedonian actress and graduate of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Skoplje. She starred in “You Won’t Be Alone,” premieri
Timon Šturbej
Timon Šturbej, born in 1994 in Maribor, Slovenia, graduated from the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television in Ljubljana. A member of the Slovenian National Theatre, he ha
Maja Radošević
Maja Radošević is a Serbian cinematographer born in 1981. She graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. She has worked on films like Thursday (2010), Ajvar (2019),
Magdalena Ptiček
Magdalena Ptiček is a Croatian cinematographer born in 1994. She graduated in 2020 from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. Her work includes the award-winning short documenta
Eva Kraljević
Eva Kraljević, born in 1981 in Zagreb, is a Croatian cinematographer and documentary director. She graduated in Cinematography from the Zagreb Academy of Dramatic Arts and in Docu
Dubravka Kurobasa
Dubravka Kurobasa is a Croatian cinematographer born in 1987 in Rijeka. She holds a BA and MA in Cinematography from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. Her work includes short
