Bucharest – The capital of world jazz

At the beginning of July, the Bucharest public is invited to enjoy hot summer evenings with jazz tunes. On July 5, the edition with no. 18 of the Bucharest International Jazz Competition.

In 2024, 20 bands from 20 countries were accepted into the Semi-Final: Australia, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Chad, Turkey, UK and USA. Until July 13, the event, ranked by the BBC in the top 3 worldwide, brings quality jazz from the world’s most famous music markets.

Bucharest is turning into the World Jazz Capital hosting established artists or emerging talents from all over the world.

The Bucharest International Jazz Competition has long gone beyond the boundaries of a competition, today the event includes jazz concerts, contests, jam sessions, jazz workshops.

Bucharest International Jazz Competition is a cultural project co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund and the Embassy of Israel in Romania.

Luigi Gageos, director of the competition, declares: “We can’t wait to start a new edition of the Bucharest International Jazz Competition. It’s incredible how this event has grown and what a hold it has on the public. Our experience, the organizational team, made up of professionals in the musical and cultural field still makes the difference. We are the only jazz competition in Romania that approaches the selection, organization and conduct of this event to international musical standards. Even though it is open to the public, it is primarily a contest of musical excellence. Practically, at the Bucharest International Jazz Competition you can find out the new trends in jazz music from everywhere, constantly bringing together jazz artists from all continents. We have been modest for years, but today I will firmly state that we are the market leader in this field.”

The Bucharest International Jazz Competition (BIJC) stands out in the Romanian and regional jazz landscape through a well-defined concept. Ever since the first edition (2007) he has aimed to contribute to the recognition of the values ​​of Romanian and international jazz, he has assumed the role of promoter of the new wave of musicians, but also that of a trainer, a trailblazer for the public Romanian. BIJC presents a variety of jazz styles – classic jazz, mainstream, swing, fusion, bepop, cool jazz, bossa nova, modal, free jazz, groove, Afro-Cuban jazz, acid jazz, smooth jazz, etc., the latest trends in the great jazz centers of the world.