Ibrahim Maalouf, Kokoroko, Biréli Lagrène, and Alabaster DePlume Among the First Confirmed Artists for the 13th Edition
The 13th edition of Jazz in the Park Festival opens Romania’s major event season with a diverse lineup featuring internationally acclaimed artists such as Ibrahim Maalouf, Kokoroko, Biréli Lagrène, Seun Kuti & Fela’s Egypt 80, Alabaster DePlume, Mammal Hands, Transylvania Jazz Orchestra, Berti Barbera & Sebastian Burneci Quintet, Sorvina, Amphitrio, Jazzbois, and New Fossils.
This year, the festival shifts to early summer and will take place June 6-8, 2025 in the same idyllic and authentic location: Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park in Cluj-Napoca.
Jazz in the Park is a daytime festival, designed to encourage attendees to experience more than just evening concerts. With an expanded program of activities from the early hours of the day, visitors are invited to fully immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere—exploring the park, engaging in creative activities, discovering festival gastronomy, and embracing authentic experiences.
For a few days, the world slows down, and people begin to listen.
2025 Lineup
- Ibrahim Maalouf (France/Lebanon) – An internationally acclaimed trumpeter and composer known for blending jazz with oriental influences. The first Lebanese instrumentalist to be nominated for a Grammy, recognized for his album Queen of Sheba. At Jazz in the Park 2025, he will present his latest project, T.O.M.A. – Trumpets of Michel-Ange.
- Kokoroko (London, UK) – A London-based Afrobeat-jazz ensemble led by Sheila Maurice-Grey, blending African rhythms, hip-hop, and contemporary jazz. Their track Abusey Junction, released in 2018, became a viral hit with over 50 million YouTube views.
- Biréli Lagrène (France) – A virtuoso guitarist and ambassador of gypsy jazz, strongly influenced by Django Reinhardt. His album Gipsy Project remains a landmark in the manouche jazz genre.
- Alabaster DePlume (UK) – A saxophonist, poet, and activist known for his fusion of jazz, spoken word, and improvisation. His music is deeply introspective and evocative.
- Mammal Hands (UK) – A British trio blending jazz with classical, electronic, and minimalist influences. Their cinematic and melancholic style has earned them international recognition.
- Sorvina (Germany/USA) – A New York-born, Berlin-based artist known for her passionate storytelling. Her music fuses jazz rap, neo-soul, alternative hip-hop, and gospel, rooted in live instrumentation and authentic performances.
- Seun Kuti & Fela’s Egypt 80 (Nigeria) – The son of legendary Fela Kuti continues the Afrobeat tradition alongside his father’s band, Egypt 80. Their music is an electrifying mix of jazz, funk, and African rhythms.
- Berti Barbera & Sebastian Burneci Quintet (Romania) – A modern jazz project that embodies the best of Romania’s contemporary music scene, blending groove, funk, swing, soul, and blues with virtuosity and humor.
- New Fossils (Hungary) – An experimental jazz quintet known for their cinematic soundscapes and independent label, Morotva Records.
- Jazzbois (Hungary) – A jazz-hip-hop trio celebrated for their psychedelic improvisations and unexpected fusions of jazz and urban beats.
- Amphitrio (Romania) – A contemporary jazz ensemble with Nordic and Balkan influences, composed of musicians with a strong background in classical and alternative music.
More artists and DJs will be announced in April.
A Daytime Festival: Jazz and relaxation from noon until sunset
Jazz in the Park is a daytime festival, offering a relaxed musical and cultural experience in the open air. Unlike traditional nighttime festivals, it provides a welcoming space for everyone – from families and children to music lovers and urban explorers.
Beyond live music throughout the day, the festival offers culinary demonstrations, panel talks, themed restaurants, craft and vinyl markets, and a wide range of instrument workshops. Evenings will feature wine tastings, cocktail workshops, and headline concerts, along with jam sessions and late-night discussions. Early arrivals each day will receive exclusive surprises at the festival gates.
Jazz in the Park 2025 Tickets
Festival passes are available at 399 lei, nearly 30% off the regular price, on iabilet.ro. Prices will increase to 449 lei on March 9, and the final price of 549 lei will apply after April 12.
Children under 12 years old can attend for free when accompanied by an adult with a ticket or pass.
To maintain the festival’s intimate and relaxed atmosphere, attendance is limited to 7,000 people per day.
About Jazz in the Park
Jazz in the Park is a festival that blends great music with positive values and community engagement. Hosting over 500 jazz concerts to date, it has become one of Europe’s leading jazz festivals.
In 2019, Jazz in the Park won the “Best Small European Festival” award at the European Festival Awards, becoming the first jazz festival in Europe (and Romania) to achieve this recognition. The festival has been a five-time finalist in the same category, with its most recent nomination for the 2023 edition.
Jazz in the Park events are organized by Fapte, an association dedicated to developing people and communities through cultural projects. In 2023, the organization received the AFCN Award for Cultural Resilience.
2025 Calendar of Events:
- Jazz in the Park Festival | Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park | June 6-8
- Jazz in the Park Competition | Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu” | September 19-21
- Music Gallery | Cluj-Napoca Art Museum | October 10-31
Main partners: Birra Moretti, Purcari,
Parteners: PPC, Pepsi, RMB Inter Auto, Daisler Print House, 8×8, TSV Line, Malfy, Ilie Galben, Mobila Dalin, Olivo Coffee Culture, IARMAROC.com
Co-financed by AFCN
Institutional Partners: Primăria și Consiliul Local Cluj-Napoca, Consiliul Județean Cluj, Muzeul Etnografic al Transilvaniei, Europe Jazz Network, YOUROPE, BATRA 2025.
Parteneri media: Rock FM, PRIMA TV, PRIMA News, TVR Cultural, TVR Cluj, The Woman, Radio România Cluj, Kolozsvari Radio, Ziua de Cluj, Cluj24, Cluj Live, Servus Cluj, Visit Cluj.
