Dubrovnik Jazz Outbreak Festival

From 6 to 8 November 2026, Dubrovnik's historic Lazareti complex will once again become a meeting place for distinguished jazz musicians and jazz enthusiasts. The sixth edition of the Dubrovnik Jazz Outbreak Festival will present four concerts by leading Croatian and international artists, complemented by a masterclass and a photography exhibition. The festival opens on Friday, 6 November at 8:00 PM with KUG Jazz Collective featuring Nadje Noordhuis, a unique project bringing together some of the most promising students from the Jazz Institute of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (KUG). Formed annually through auditions, the ensemble provides young musicians with an opportunity to present original music and develop their artistic vision within one of Europe's most respected jazz education institutions. Joining the ensemble is Nadje Noordhuis, internationally acclaimed trumpeter, composer and Professor of Jazz Trumpet at KUG. Throughout her career, she has performed with renowned ensembles including the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society and the Anat Cohen Tentet. She has appeared on two Grammy Award-winning recordings and eight Grammy-nominated albums. Her distinctive musical voice and extensive international experience have established her as one of the most compelling artists on today's jazz scene. The concert is presented, through the Croatian-Austrian Society Dubrovnik, in collaboration with the Austrian Cultural Forum and the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. The second festival day, Saturday, 7 November, will showcase two outstanding representatives of the Croatian jazz scene. At 8:00 PM, the Mario Bočić Quartet will present Wheel of Fortune, one of the most acclaimed recent releases in Croatian jazz, successfully combining contemporary jazz expression, improvisation and the strong individual voices of the quartet members. Mario Bočić has established himself as one of Croatia's leading jazz saxophonists and composers, while his quartet features some of the country's finest jazz musicians: Hrvoje Galler on piano, Zvonimir Šestak on double bass and Kruno Levačić on drums. All three are highly respected figures on the Croatian jazz scene and have appeared several times at Dubrovnik Jazz Outbreak. At 9:15 PM, audiences will have the opportunity to hear the Ivan Bonačić Quartet joined by special guest Valerija Nikolovska, one of the most prominent jazz and soul vocalists in the region. Bonačić is recognised for his distinctive musical language as both composer and instrumentalist, while Valerija Nikolovska has attracted considerable attention for her expressive voice and contemporary approach to jazz. For this performance they will be joined by an exceptional rhythm section featuring Filip Pavić on guitar, Viktor Lipić on organ and Borko Rupena on drums. The festival's final evening, Sunday, 8 November, will feature a solo performance by Bojan Zulfikarpašić (Bojan Z), one of Europe's most influential jazz pianists and composers. An internationally celebrated artist and recipient of numerous awards, Bojan Z has spent decades at the forefront of the global jazz scene, collaborating with leading musicians and performing at prestigious venues across Europe, Asia and the Americas. His concert is presented in collaboration with Jazz Fest Sarajevo. As part of the accompanying programme, the photography exhibition "My First Five – Jazz Outbreak Through the Lens of Vedran Levi" will be presented. The exhibition features selected photographs documenting the festival's first five years and serves as a visual chronicle of its development. The programme also includes a masterclass and conversation with Nadje Noordhuis for students of the Luka Sorkočević Art School, providing young musicians with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with an internationally recognised artist. Tickets are available one hour before each concert at Lazareti. Day ticket: €15 Festival pass: €30 The festival is organised by Dubrovačka baština Ltd., the City of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, with support from the Austrian Cultural Forum, HUZIP, Jazz Fest Sarajevo, Luka Sorkočević Art School, Kavana Lazareti and the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. Programme Friday, 6 November 20:00 – KUG Jazz Collective featuring Nadje Noordhuis Saturday, 7 November 20:00 – Mario Bočić Quartet Album release concert: Wheel of Fortune 21:15 – Ivan Bonačić Quartet feat. Valerija Nikolovska Sunday, 8 November 20:00 – Bojan Z Piano Solo Accompanying Programme Masterclass with Nadje Noordhuis for students of the Luka Sorkočević Art School "My First Five – Jazz Outbreak Through the Lens of Vedran Levi" photography exhibition