Gent Jazz 2023 opens on 5 July with the warm, soul-jazz baritone voice of Gregory Porter. After two memorable visits in 2015 and 2019, Gregory returns to Gent Jazz! The soulful crooner with the unforgettable baritone voice and captivating personality can safely be called a true jazz sensation.
On 7 July, Joe Bonamassa appears on the main stage. If you can open for blues legend BB King at the age of 12, the bar for what comes next is immediately very high. Yet Joe Bonamassa managed to raise that bar again and again over the years as he has shared stages with such greats as Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker and Peter Frampton, released 40 albums - including 15 solo studio albums - and reached the top spot on the Billboard Blues chart a whopping 25 times, more than anyone else.
Also on 7 July, legendary bassist Marcus Miller will find himself in good company with Gent’s very own primeval artist Roland Van Campenhout. For over half a century, Roland has been taking people on journeys into mysterious musical landscapes, strewn with jungles of influences - deeply rooted in blues and folk, as well as jazz through his dad and grandad, psychedelic music and a good dollop of storytelling that is the envy of beatniks.
Joe Bonamassa
With two previous performances under her belt at Gent Jazz, in 2010 and 2017, Norah Jones returns to the festival for a third time on 8 July. The American with a characteristically smooth voice celebrated the twentieth birthday of her debut album “Come Away With Me” last year, this is another reason to see her perform.
Ludovico Einaudi will be closing the main stage on 9 July, with also an extra show on 10 July. Last year, the Italian minimalist pianist sold out three venues in Brussels, Gent and Antwerp in no time.
On 11 July, Hooverphonic is set to complete the main stage bill. In addition to their classics, the band featuring Geike Arnaert will also be playing new songs - danceable and nineties - at Gent Jazz 2023.
German ambient composer/pianist Nils Frahm will be gracing us with his presence on 13 July. As always, he will be bringing half a stage filled with synthesizers to create an amazing, must-see trip all on his own.
Norah Jones
14 July will provide a genuine celebration of jazz with the Branford Marsalis Quartet. Since the very beginning, the quartet explores over thirty years of the uncompromising and daring full scope of jazz. The day is set to sway to the narrative sounds of "ARK," the ethnic acoustic jazz project of city composer Lara Rosseel.
On 15 July, the day will be closed by none other than jazz legend Herbie Hancock. Herbie started his career in the sixties playing in Miles Davis’ band and quickly went on to be considered a revolutionary musician in his own right. His true revolution however did not start until the seventies when he reached millions with his fusion jazz. In fact, Herbie Hancock never stopped breaking new ground. Something he will be delighted to prove on Gent Jazz’s last night this edition.
Herbie Hancock
More information about the announcement of artists and tickets via www.gentjazz.com
