The “Jazz France-Balkans Network” project, supported by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, was launched in 2019. Participants include local government representatives and music industry professionals dedicated to the promotion and development of jazz from the following cities: Dijon and Chambéry (France), Tirana and Korçë (Albania), Podgorica (Montenegro), Niš (Serbia), and Bitola (North Macedonia).
The network’s primary goals are building bridges between France and the Balkan countries to contribute to peace through jazz (as a factor of intercultural and mutual understanding), providing economic support to local music industries, and fostering international cooperation through study visits, professional and youth musician exchanges, concerts, educational workshops, and artistic residencies. Key guidelines include strengthening cooperation between music schools and faculties across different cities, as well as supporting women’s active involvement in jazz practice. Future plans involve a gradual expansion of the network to include other cities in the Balkans and France.
The connections between network members have already resulted in reciprocal invitations and exchanges—involving both established artists and young musicians (mostly music students)—and the release of several jazz albums.
History of Gatherings:
- 2021 (Dijon & Chambéry): The first meeting of network representatives was held in Dijon (the unofficial headquarters of the network) and Chambéry.
- 2022 (Tirana): The second meeting took place alongside a concert featuring young musicians from several countries.
- 2023 (Podgorica): Hosted within the JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month in Montenegro) festival, featuring a performance by Montenegrin drummer Slaven Ljujić’s trio with French saxophonist Baptiste Herbin.
- 2024 (Chambéry): This meeting featured the first official concert of the network’s youth ensemble, following workshops mentored by Christophe Donnadieu, a jazz trumpeter and educator at APEJS (Association for the Promotion and Teaching of Jazz and Contemporary Music in Savoy).
- 2025 (Niš): Workshops for young musicians (RJFB) were held in Niš, culminating in a joint concert by students and mentors (Sašo Popovski and Gent Rushi) at the Niš Cultural Center on World Music Day, June 21.
Partner Organizations:
Couleurs Jazz Media & Couleurs Jazz Radio, Media Music (Dijon), APEJS Music College (Chambéry), Jazz(s)ra (France), Jazz Art Association & JAM Festival (Podgorica, Montenegro), Nišville Foundation & Nišville Jazz Festival (Serbia), Syri Blue & Alliance Française in Tirana and Korçë (Albania), and Jazz Factory Festival in Bitola (North Macedonia).
Final Meeting: Dijon, May 12–15, 2026
The final gathering of the network will take place in Dijon from May 12 to May 15, 2026. The event will include two days of conferences and three days of workshops focused on jazz transmission, youth engagement, and international cooperation.
The four main conference themes will be:
- “Jazz in the Service of Peace”
- “Jazz in the Media”
- “Learning Jazz”
- “Women’s Presence on the Jazz Scene”
The roundtable on “Women’s Presence on the Jazz Scene” will be moderated by Maja Popović (Jazz Art). Panelists will include experts from Serbia and the Netherlands: Dr. Jasna Jovićević (composer, saxophonist, and researcher), Dr. Iva Nenić (Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade), and Andrew Read (Director of Jazz in Europe, the largest English-language jazz magazine).
The event will conclude with a performance by the France Balkans Jazz Band, an ensemble composed of advanced young musicians from the member countries. Over three days of workshops, they will be mentored by experienced educators from France, Albania, and North Macedonia. Their repertoire will feature compositions by French and Balkan authors, and the concert is part of the annual “D’Jazz dans la Ville” festival.
Details of the upcoming network meeting in Dijon in the event brochure.