Written by This coming summer, the popular A to JazZ Festival brings the first-ever world music showcase to Sofia as part of the main festival that will take place in July. The festival will program 8 winning acts, who will them perform on the festivals opening day, the 6th July 2023 on two stages – the Main stage and the Night stage at “Toplocentrala” venue. The bands selected will be announced on March 31. Bands are encouraged to sign up via the festival’s website before March 8.
While there are ample showcases for jazz and pop music, world music is often bundled together with those genres, or simply overlooked. In an effort to give world music musicians more opportunities, A to JazZ Festival is part of Upbeat, the European showcase platform for world music, offering a small fee and educational opportunities to winning groups alongside their main stage performance. Successful applicants can expect to meet an audience of both professional delegates and journalists as well as tens of thousands of music lovers annually – last year, the festival attracted a whopping 50,000 visitors. Fellow Upbeat partners include WOMEX, Tallinn Music Week, Budapest Ritmo, Waves Vienna, and many other leading festivals across Europe. These numbers make A to JazZ one of the most significant festivals in Bulgaria.
Signing up to A to JazZ’s showcase competition is free for those who meet its criteria. The organization established eight simple rules, including that groups must consist of emerging artists under the age of 35, hail from the EU as well as some other countries, including all Balkan countries and Ukraine, and that the group’s debut album must have been released no more than five years ago, with its total discography not larger than three albums.
Aside from celebrating its debut, being linked to a major festival in the region, and welcoming international delegates among its audience, it is perhaps A to JazZ Showcase organizer Peter Dimitrov’s commitment to equal opportunity that makes the festival stand out most. Successful applicants don’t just get access to panels and training and mentoring sessions, but are offered a travel budget and accommodation, providing a fresh contrast with older pay-to-play opportunities offered across the continent. This way, Dimitrov keeps participation accessible for all; world music for the whole world, if you will.
To sign up for the showcase and view the terms and conditions please visit the festivals website.
Last modified: June 22, 2023
