August 28 to 30, 2025
2025 JAZZ FESTIVAL
Inspired by
The third edition of the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival will once again bring Lopud island alive with the energy and freedom that jazz inspires.
We’re honored to welcome Master in Residence, Terri Lyne Carrington – an NEA Jazz Master, Doris Duke Artist, and four-time Grammy award-winning drummer, composer, producer, and educator – as well as our 2025 concert program of ground-breaking artists, featuring Ben Wendel Quartet, Sofia Rei and Michael Mayo.
Become a 2025 Ponta Lopud Jazz Fellow
Auditions open: June 2, 2025
Deadline to Apply: July 1, 2025
Each year the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival invites a select number of young professional musicians from all over the world to participate in a 4 day life-changing musical and human experience. Only two to three musicians per instrument are selected to attend, which makes this experience extremely exclusive and intimate. Musicians of the highest level are selected to attend immersive daily masterclasses, evening concerts, participate in nightly jam sessions and take part in unique festival activities throughout the day together with the visiting Master and Mentors in Residence. It is through music, discussions and life experiences that we can dig deeper into our artistic selves and bring out elements of our creativity that we never knew existed.
An online audition process is available to any young professional musician who meets the required criteria.
No cost to apply
- All selected Fellows will be required to pay a symbolic fee of €200
- All travel to and from Dubrovnik is at the sole expense of the Fellow
- If selected, lodging for 4 nights (shared rooms), 3 meals per day, excursions/ events, masterclasses and concerts will all be provided at the expense of Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival
Eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must be professional musicians with music being their main source of income (no hobbyists or undergraduate students)
- Applicants must have a high level of musical training
- Applicants must appear on AT LEAST ONE professionally published recording or album (can be work for hire or a solo project)
An online audition process is available to any young professional musician who meets the required criteria.
Masters & Mentors
Terri Lyne Carrington
Master
Four-time Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master, Terri Lyne Carrington is a renowned drummer, composer, and educator. She is the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute
Antonio Sánchez
Mentor
Four-time Grammy winner Antonio Sánchez is one of the most sought-after drummers in international jazz. He is also a recipient of three Echo Awards, a Critics Choice Award, and Go
Ben Wendel
Mentor
Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Ben Wendel is a founding member of the acclaimed group Kneebody. Known for his genre-blurring collaborations, he has worked with artists r
JC Maillard
Mentor
Jean-Christophe “JC” Maillard is a French composer, guitarist, and producer from Guadeloupe, known for his boundary-pushing work in world jazz and electronic music. He has coll
Joe Sanders
Mentor
American bassist and composer Joe Sanders is known for his versatility across jazz, classical, R&B, and Afro-Latin styles. A longtime collaborator with artists like Joshua Redm
Michael Mayo
Mentor
Michael Mayo is a vocalist, composer, and graduate of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, where he studied with legends like Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock—becoming only the
Shai Maestro
Mentor
Pianist and composer Shai Maestro is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz. Since launching his trio in 2011, he has built an international reputation for his flu
Sofia Rei
Mentor
Two-time Grammy-nominated vocalist, songwriter, and producer Sofia Rei blends folkloric traditions from her native Buenos Aires with jazz, electronic, and experimental music. Prais
Tupac Mantilla
Mentor
Grammy-nominated percussionist Tupac Mantilla is known for his dynamic artistry and versatility across genres. He has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Cen
Andrew Freedman
Mentor
Andrew Freedman is a pianist, improviser, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles, California. He has toured and collaborated with artists across a wide range of discip
Robin Baytas
Mentor
Drummer and composer Robin Baytas is known for his stylistic range, and dynamic presence across jazz, indie rock, and electronic music. A graduate of the New England Conservatory a
Nick Campbell
Mentor
Los Angeles-based electric bassist Nick Campbell is known for his bold, genre-blurring style and inventive harmonic language. A sought-after sideman, he has performed with Pomplamo
Terri Lyne Carrington
Master
Four-time Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master, Terri Lyne Carrington is a renowned drummer, composer, and educator. She is the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute
Antonio Sánchez
Mentor
Four-time Grammy winner Antonio Sánchez is one of the most sought-after drummers in international jazz. He is also a recipient of three Echo Awards, a Critics Choice Award, and Go
Ben Wendel
Mentor
Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Ben Wendel is a founding member of the acclaimed group Kneebody. Known for his genre-blurring collaborations, he has worked with artists r
JC Maillard
Mentor
Jean-Christophe “JC” Maillard is a French composer, guitarist, and producer from Guadeloupe, known for his boundary-pushing work in world jazz and electronic music. He has coll
Joe Sanders
Mentor
American bassist and composer Joe Sanders is known for his versatility across jazz, classical, R&B, and Afro-Latin styles. A longtime collaborator with artists like Joshua Redm
Michael Mayo
Mentor
Michael Mayo is a vocalist, composer, and graduate of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, where he studied with legends like Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock—becoming only the
Shai Maestro
Mentor
Pianist and composer Shai Maestro is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz. Since launching his trio in 2011, he has built an international reputation for his flu
Sofia Rei
Mentor
Two-time Grammy-nominated vocalist, songwriter, and producer Sofia Rei blends folkloric traditions from her native Buenos Aires with jazz, electronic, and experimental music. Prais
Tupac Mantilla
Mentor
Grammy-nominated percussionist Tupac Mantilla is known for his dynamic artistry and versatility across genres. He has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Cen
Andrew Freedman
Mentor
Andrew Freedman is a pianist, improviser, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles, California. He has toured and collaborated with artists across a wide range of discip
Robin Baytas
Mentor
Drummer and composer Robin Baytas is known for his stylistic range, and dynamic presence across jazz, indie rock, and electronic music. A graduate of the New England Conservatory a
Nick Campbell
Mentor
Los Angeles-based electric bassist Nick Campbell is known for his bold, genre-blurring style and inventive harmonic language. A sought-after sideman, he has performed with Pomplamo
