The opening concert on the Mainstage this year belongs to Leonhard Skorupa. The Viennese musician, celebrated by Ö1 as one of the "young rebels of Austrian jazz," loves to lead both his audience and his fellow musicians down unexpected creative paths. "A trickster who enjoys surprising his top-class instrumentalists and the audience with unpredictable scores and soundscapes" (hr2). Skorupa, who plays tenor saxophone and various clarinets, is not only the head of the stage band at Porgy & Bess, but also shakes up the music scene with projects such as the Sketchbook Orchestra, Ensemble Kuhle Wampe, and the surf-rock-folk-jazz sextet AHL6. The latter has already been heard at the "3 Days of Jazz" 2025 in Saalfelden Leogang—an acoustic preview of what awaits us.
The "Orchestra of Good Hope" promises not only hope but also a solid dose of cosmic energy. Founded in 2024 by Leo Genovese (Argentinian pianist and keyboardist) and Alfred Vogel (drums), the ensemble emerged at the Bezau Beatz festival and creates a musical universe full of improvisation. Together with the Cosmic Brothers—Luís Vicente (trumpet), João Pedro Brandão (flute and pedalboard), Demian Cabaud (bass), Camila Nebbia (tenor saxophone), Sofia Salvo (baritone saxophone), and Pedro Melo Alves (drums)—they form a closely-knit musical family that embodies the belief that "music transcends all earthly matters." Their motto? Nada Brahma – the world is sound.
From the Netherlands comes Sun-Mi Hong, a South Korea-born drummer and bandleader, making waves with her new project, the Bida Orchestra. Her sextet gathers some of Europe's most exciting improvisational artists, and her music, according to Bimhuis, moves between "linear serenity, stormy waters, and bone-rattling screams." A concert like a rough sea, so to speak, with Sun-Mi Hong firmly at the helm: "Prepare for the ground to be pulled out from under your feet."
This year’s festival design comes from Austrian designer Hannes Hawle. His work, characterized by an innovative and contemporary aesthetic, will shape the visual identity of our 2025 festival edition.
Ticket Sales Start Today
Tickets are now available for purchase!
Tickets for the Mainstage & Otto-Gruber Hall, the Short Cuts, and the WE HIKE JAZZ hiking concerts can now be ordered online at: https://tickets.jazzsaalfelden.com/
