Jazz & Wine Festival 2026, Austria

The 14th Jazz & Wine Festival unfolded in Leibnitz, a quaint town nestled within Austria’s renowned southern wine district, presenting an engaging blend of jazz artistry and regional charm. Despite the absence of marquee names, the event attracted enthusiastic audiences, with all concerts reaching full capacity, reflecting strong local and international trust in the festival’s artistic direction.

Orchestrated by seasoned club owner Otmar Klammer, the festival’s program combined innovative musical projects with carefully chosen venues, enhancing the overall sensory experience. The castle of Seggau’s historic wine cellars hosted the festival’s opening evening, offering a unique setting for a double bill that set a high standard for the days to follow.

The first act featured the trio Haezz, whose members include Austrian musicians Tobias Vedovelli and Martin Eberle alongside Czech saxophonist Stepan Flagar. Their percussion-free ensemble emphasized contrapuntal interplay, allowing each instrument to emerge with clarity and vitality. This subtle texture captivated listeners, reaffirming the trio’s reputation for finely balanced and intricate performances.

Following Haezz, New York trumpeter Kirk Knuffke led a trio joined by violinist Charlie Burnham. Their set blended elements from urban Brooklyn life, poetic inspirations, and Appalachian folk traditions, presenting a fluid interplay where composed melodies and free improvisations melded seamlessly.

The festival’s middle evenings, held primarily in the Hugo Wolf Saal cultural center, featured triple-bill lineups that underscored the event’s eclectic spirit. Swiss drummer Florian Arbenz’s Sonic Organism, augmented by alto saxophonist Greg Osby, delivered dynamic solos with notable contributions from bassist François Moutin. Osby’s commanding saxophone work added a sharp edge to the ensemble’s sound.

Accordionist João Barradas brought a contrasting tonal palette to the stage, infusing the program with an exuberant, upbeat character. The German-based Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra offered a chamber-like experience with a lineup blending saxophones, flutes, guitars, electronics, and rhythm section. Their mellow soundscapes, infused with Brazilian influences and nods to Hermeto Pascoal, evoked minimalism and groups akin to the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, highlighted by the expressive vibraphone work of Evi Philippou.

A standout late-night performance featured the Monk’s Casino project, led by the veteran pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach. At 88, von Schlippenbach demonstrated undiminished vigor, interpreting a broad selection of Thelonious Monk’s compositions alongside an energetic ensemble that included bass clarinetist Rudi Mahall and slide trumpeter Axel Dörner. The performance was both a tribute and a lively celebration of Monk’s enduring influence.

The festival also premiered Triple Double, an unconventional trio comprising three double bassists—Anders Jormin, Thomas Markusson, and Morten Toftgaard Ramsbøl. Their collaboration explored the sonic possibilities of their shared instrument, featuring diverse material such as John Taylor’s “Ambleside.”

Another highlight was the Koko Trio, led by percussionist Taiko Saito, whose marimba and vibraphone added an ethereal, percussive dimension alongside pianist Niko Meinhold and drummer Moritz Baumgärtner. The trio’s sound balanced delicate textures with rhythmic drive.

The final evening included Cuban pianist Ramón Valle’s trio, enriched by flugelhorn player Maite Hontelé. Their performance merged technical mastery with vibrant, danceable energy, closing the festival on an upbeat and celebratory note.

While most concerts were indoors, select performances embraced the open air, including a set featuring young trumpeter Lorenz Widauer and guitarist Philipp Schiepek. Widauer’s clear tone and improvisational skill, previously noted in collaborations with Yvonne Moriel and oud player Avin Ahmadi, were evident in his interpretation of jazz standards.

The festival concluded with a brunch concert at Schloss Ottersbach featuring Vincent Peirani’s Living Being band. Peirani’s diverse musical influences—from African rhythms to psychedelic pop—were woven seamlessly into the set, which included tributes to Lionel Loueke and a medley of British pop classics. Alto saxophonist Emile Parisien, a frequent collaborator, contributed notably to the vibrant group dynamic.

In the days following the festival, Stepan Flagar appeared in a duo concert with pianist Georg Vogel at Vienna’s Porgy & Bess club. Their partnership balanced composed elements with improvisation, blending original pieces and works by Andrew Hill and Austrian composer Christoph Cech. An album documenting their collaboration was anticipated.

The 2026 Jazz & Wine Festival reaffirmed its position as a distinctive event in Austria’s cultural calendar, merging artistic innovation with a celebration of locale. Details on next year’s edition remain limited, but this year’s program underscored the festival’s commitment to presenting adventurous and thoughtfully curated jazz performances.