25 years later, the secret of its success was its dedication to creating its own personality, an identity, and artistic quality, the right foundation on which it was set up to begin with: selecting artists according to strict artistic merit and proper communication of the event, which made opening doors to international art circles easy. The response was enthusiastic. “25 years is not a short period of time, especially for a festival that started on an amateur basis, for the fun of it. It is an achievement, if I do say so myself, to still be standing in the cultural landscape of Greece after so many years, and to stand out in your own artistically unique way, bridging the two main pillars of Greek industry: tourism and culture”, stressed the festival’s artistic director, Olga Tabouris-Babalis.
Her goal was for the Festival to have a specific cultural mark, an artistic identity in the framework of a thematically structured programme. What started off as ‘Jazz on the Hill’ soon acquired “sisters” – ‘Sani Classic, Sounds of the World, Greek Variations, cinematic music, theatre and visual projects, and so on – which led to its growth, and recognition by an even broader audience. If its invitations being accepted by major artists showed its dynamism from the very beginning, the enthusiastic response from legendary international artists along the way, raised it to the top of such events. “This is how”, the artistic director continued, “at this 25th anniversary we have invited our favourite artists from the international and Greek stage, some of whom we first introduced live to the Greece audience, so that we may all celebrate together. We will also have first time guests, whose work we recognise and love''.
JAZZ ON THE HILL - July 8, 2017 - Trondheim Jazz Orchestra feat. Heirik Hegdal & Joshua Redman
Free of charge, this year the Festival, in the context of Jazz on the Hill, will kick off with the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra ensemble, headed by great sax player, composer and arranger Eirik Hegdal, in collaboration with renowned saxophonist Joshua Redman, one of the most important representatives of the African American scene, who uniquely bridge the American and European soundscapes of the jazz musical idiom. The Trondheim Jazz Orchestra is one of the most well known orchestras in the world and has worked with Norwegian composers such as Erlend Skomsvoll, Eirik Hegdal, Vigleik Storaas as well as international soloists like Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, New York Voices and Birger Sulsbruck. The first time that great American saxophonist Joshua Redman recorded music with Norwegians it happened through the welcoming and creative interplay of the renowned Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. The pioneering, rhythmic and harmoniously full sounds of Joshua and the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, which has enchanted people around the world, will take us on a journey too, this summer, at Sani Festival.
International Sounds - July 29, 2017 - China Moses
With her unique musical idiom and serious background, China Moses never ceases to amaze.
China Moses is an explosive soul and jazz singer, with a career as a presenter on MTV France and on several radio stations. Daughter of the great Dee Dee Bridgewater and director Gilbert Moses, she has collaborated with great artists – such as Guru, DJ Medhi, Karriem Riggins, Meshell Ndegeocello and Anthony Marshall – setting off on a journey of her own. After recording her first album at the age of 16, in 2009 she recorded an album-homage to her idol, Dinah Washington, with renowned pianist Raphael Lemonnier, preparing the ground for her great success, the ‘Crazy Blues’ album, which was ranked in the top 100 of 2013 by the British Times, and which she presented in Greece, exclusively at Sani Festival, in an unforgettable concert for those who were lucky enough to attend. In her new album, ‘Nightingales’ (EDEL), she is further broadening her musical horizons, outdoing herself. Her collaboration with musicians from various musical genres help redefine the stereotype of the jazz singer, taking audiences on a journey down new, unexplored paths.
