The leading idea of the Festival is to promote original music projects performed by outstanding artists – representing both Polish and world jazz – which later prove to have great cultural significance and popular appeal. The event is organised under the Honorary Patronage of Bogdan Zdrojewski, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage and Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, the Mayor of the City of Warsaw. Jazz in the Old Town is organized and produced by Agencja Koncertowo Reklamowa IKA ART. Wojciechowscy (Concert-Advertising Agency). This year’s festival line-up includes Dino Saluzzi – the Argentinian artist called the greatest performer of nuevo tango and bandeon virtuoso, the second after Astor Piazzola ‘ambassador of Argentinean music’ – who will inaugurate the 2008 Jazz in the Old Town. A week later one of the festival’s premieres will take place – Tony Lakatos will play in a special project for Antonio Carlos Jobim. On July 19 Benni Chawes, outstanding Scandinavian singer, will perform for the first time in Poland. The Festival has always blended in a wide mix of internationally renowned guests, this year among them: Archie Shepp (July 26) – one of the most prominent avant-garde jazz artists, Malene Mortensen (August 16) – the rising star of Scandinavian vocal music, Marilyn Mazur (the grand finale, August 30) – the maestro of percussion instruments known for her collaboration with Miles Davies and Jan Garbarek.

Photo. Malene Mortensen, organizer’s courtesy