Beginnings
The original idea for Jazzinty was developed by violinist Marijan Dović, with Marko Zajc, at that time director of the LokalPatriot cultural centre organising the first workshops. Quite a number of the early participants have gone on to successful domestic and international musical careers, both within and outside jazz, among them Severa Gjurin, Gal Gjurin, Katja Šulc, Lenart Krečič, Dominik Bagola and Kaja Draksler. Beginning with a programme of more conventional jazz styles, both in terms of the workshops and the concerts, Jazzinty has since found room for more avant-garde streams, and has also sought to attract young musicians from other musical backgrounds (rock, funk, classical) with a series of introductory jazz workshops under the tutelage of vocalist Ana Čop.
Format
Jazzinty's educational activities stretch across a fairly intensive timetable: daily pre-workshop "tune-up" meetings, combo rehearsals (each mentor is in charge of an ensemble following a specific programme or style), lectures on different aspects of the creative process in jazz, one-to-one tuition and jam sessions. These activities have, since the start, taken place at the Marjan Kozina Music Conservatory and the LokalPatriot Club in Novo Mesto.
Festival concerts take place at the end of each day, with the closing concert given over to presentations of the week's work by the various Jazzinty ensembles. Concert venues have included, over the years, the LokalPatriot Club, the music school, the garden of Dolenjska Museum, the Simulaker Gallery and the Janez Trdina Cultural Centre. All concerts are open to the public.
Mentors
Over 60 mentors had been involved in the teaching programme by 2020, including Slovenian saxophonists Jure Pukl and Igor Lumpert, who is from Novo Mesto, legendary American double-bassist Reggie Workman, known for his work with John Coltrane, avant-garde jazz guitarist John Abercrombie, Macedonian rck-jazz guitarist Vlatko Stefanovski, saxophonists Bill Evans and
The Jazzon Award is bestowed every year.
The Jazzon Alpe-Adria competition is open for the composers from Slovenia, Austria and Croatia.
Jazzinty Abonma
Jazzinty Abonma (series subscription) is a cycle of jazz concerts at LokalPatriot Club, taking place from January till June. The 2010–2011 season was opened by Poogie Bell Band, New York, while further gigs in 2011 are: Aleš Rendla Sextet (SI), Jazzodrom (AT), Vesna Zornik with TangoApasionada (SI), iSWHAT?! (US) and Ari Borger Quartet (BR).
See also