The fourth edition of the festival treated audiences to ten outstanding concerts and brought some of the most exciting names from the Croatian jazz scene to the stage of Šibenik's Barone Fortress. Sold-out evenings and diverse musical expressions marked this year's festival, providing an excellent introduction to the upcoming season of Arsen Jazz.
From the opening to the final concert, the Barone Jazz Festival once again demonstrated just how diverse, exciting, and unpredictable jazz can be. Audiences enjoyed both the rich sound of larger ensembles and the virtuosity of musicians performing in trios and quartets, while the fortress resonated with jazz standards, gypsy swing, and contemporary jazz. Ten concert evenings confirmed once again that the combination of exceptional music and the unique atmosphere of Barone creates a special experience for both performers and audiences, who filled the venue each evening long before sunset.
The festival opened with a sold-out performance by Homage Collective, dedicated to the music of Sade, while the celebration of outstanding musicianship continued with the Borna Pehar Quartet, which treated audiences to an evening of modern jazz.
Tickets were also in high demand for the concert by Big Band Šibenik, whose performance at Barone held particular significance. It was at this very fortress that the ensemble held its first-ever concert and began its musical journey. The stunning setting of the fortress as a summer jazz stage also captivated the members of Damirov Django Group, who won over the audience with their virtuosity and the infectious energy of gypsy swing.
The concert series continued with the impressive blend of talent and musical skill showcased by the Darko Jurković Charlie Trio, while the Pavić-Golob-Rupena Trio introduced a more intimate and delicate jazz sound, opening the August segment of the festival. This summer also saw Šibenik's own Mantes perform for a home audience, presenting not only tracks from their existing album but also compositions that will appear on their upcoming release. Jazz enthusiasts were further delighted by Dina Rizvić, who guided them through a captivating programme of original songs and carefully selected interpretations.
Sold-out concerts were a defining feature of this year's season at Barone. Accompanied by an outstanding band, Valerija Nikolovska presented her award-winning EP to a large audience, while the grand finale belonged to Hojsak & Novosel feat. Vlatko Stefanovski. Performing before a packed auditorium in early September, they brought the fourth Barone Jazz Festival to a close in the very spirit that had defined it from the beginning: exceptional musicianship, remarkable energy, and an audience eager for great jazz.
Ten concerts and ten unique musical stories rounded off another successful summer festival season at Barone, to the satisfaction of both audiences and renowned performers. With the arrival of autumn, jazz moves from the fortress to the more intimate setting of the House of Arts Arsen, where a new season of Arsen Jazz will soon begin.
