TIRANA, July 9 /ATA/ – Tirana will host the fifth edition of the Gjon Mili Jazz & Blues Festival on Thursday, one of Albania’s leading jazz events.

The festival will be held at the open-air Mirush Kabashi Theatre near Tirana’s Artificial Lake. With free admission, it will feature three international projects bringing together musicians from Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina alongside leading Albanian jazz performers.

The programme opens with the Albanian debut of Austrian saxophonist and composer Yvonne Moriel, winner of the 2024 Austrian Jazz Award for Best Newcomer. She will perform with Albanian pianist Gent Rushi and drummer Besjan Herri, presenting original compositions that bring together the Austrian and Albanian jazz traditions.

The evening will continue with the Gert Kapo Quartet, led by Albanian-German pianist and composer Gert Kapo, whose music blends Balkan traditions, Eastern rhythms and contemporary jazz. He will be joined by Greek guitarist and oud player Epaminondas Ladas, German-Bosnian bassist Armin Alic, and Polish drummer Mirek Pyschny.

The festival will conclude with Pierpaolo Petta & Andi Kongo Trio, an Italian-Albanian collaboration featuring Arbëresh accordionist and composer Pierpaolo Petta, Albanian jazz pianist Andi Kongo, bassist Arbin Alimeri and drummer Emiljan Dhimo. The quartet will perform jazz interpretations of Albanian and Arbëresh folk songs, combining traditional heritage with contemporary improvisation.

The fifth edition of the Gjon Mili Jazz & Blues Festival will be hosted by Stenaldo Mëhilli. The event aims to bring internationally acclaimed artists to Tirana, strengthen collaboration between Albanian and European musicians, and promote cultural exchange through jazz.

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