When organizing a music festival, the lineup is everything. Regardless of the country you’re in or the genres you represent, the lineup is the core of your festival’s identity. It attracts fans, sells tickets, and sparks conversations.
Over the years, we’ve received a wide range of feedback from our audience. We’ve often heard things like: “Wow, I never thought I’d get to see them in Romania!” or “I didn’t know the bands here, but I loved discovering them.” Of course, we’ve also heard “This isn’t jazz!” and, just once… “Would you book Armin van Buuren!”
Since we’re about to announce some exciting artists, we wanted to take a moment to explain how we put together our lineup:
1. We want you to discover new music
Jazz in the Park is a festival where people come with open hearts, trusting us to bring them great music recommendations. Yes, we try to include 2-3 acts that appeal to classic jazz lovers, but our goal is to make jazz a universal and accessible language.
2. We aim for a well-balanced lineup
The festival schedule is carefully designed so that each stage takes you through different moods. You’ll rarely hear two similar performances back-to-back. Jazz in the Park is meant to be an explosion of styles and influences.

3. Big names that make an impact
Every year, we try to book one or two major headlines that grab attention immediately. This year, for example, we have Ibrahim Maalouf.
4. Jazz and world music – the perfect mix
We’ve noticed that world music blends beautifully with the atmosphere of the Ethnographic Park. For the past few years, we’ve consistently included a major artist from this genre. After all, jazz itself is a product of a community, which makes it a form of world music in its own right.
5. Romanian artists always have a place here
We wish we could accommodate everyone, but we support the local music industry as much as we can. Around 30-40% of our lineup features Romanian artists.
6. “Heritage acts” – legends you need to see at least once
Every year, we aim to bring at least one legendary artist—those who have shaped music history and whom we may not have the chance to see again. It’s our duty to experience their music live. Billy Cobham and Cymande are just two past examples.


7. The new wave of jazz – the future sounds bright
Today, most artists rely on live performance fees to sustain themselves, leading them to diversify their styles to reach more festivals. This is why we see an increasing fusion of jazz with hip-hop, neo-classical, and electronic music. And that’s fantastic—it attracts new audiences to jazz.
8. The final concert of the day is crucial
The last concert each day needs to leave a lasting impression. We want to see you smiling, discussing your favorite moments, fully immersed in the music rather than your phones. When we witness the audience completely engaged, we know we made the right choice.
9. Yes, we allow ourselves some guilty pleasures
Sometimes, we book artists simply because we love them. Fun Lovin’ Criminals is a great example—one of my personal favorites, and I was thrilled to experience their performance with all of you at my favorite festival.
10. DJs are an essential part of the festival
You may have noticed that in recent years, we’ve included more DJs in our lineup. They are the curators who introduce us to new music, digging through obscure collections to expand our musical horizons. Without DJs, hip-hop wouldn’t exist. And without hip-hop, jazz might not be as popular today. Of course, we have rules: their sets must match the festival’s vibe, creating an atmosphere rather than a party.

In conclusion
Our selection process isn’t complicated, but it is carefully thought out. Jazz in the Park is, above all, a celebration of music. It doesn’t matter if you know all the artists in the lineup or if you’re a fan of a specific genre. What matters is that you come with an open heart, ready to discover something new.
We are not a festival of wild parties—we are a festival of relaxation, introspection, and musical immersion. Our artists—whether they are talented students from Romania or internationally acclaimed musicians—are dedicated and passionate about what they do.
At least once a year, #listen.
Yours,
Alin