International hits, both new and familiar tunes will be heard at the most attractive venues in Vienna, from the Vienna State Opera to City Hall Park. Here even the (free!) opening concert on June 29 already reflects the focus of this year's festival, the opening to the world: Armenian Spirit , an ensemble led by an Armenian living in Carinthia, entertains with a mixture of Armenian folklore and Jazz; the Austrian Red Sun Ensemble meets up with the Korean percussion specialists Samul Nori .

The Austrian hosts of the following evenings include Karl Ritter , Otto Lechner , Mike Ottis , Wolfgang Muthspiel and Harri Stojka . The American guitarist John Scofield adds jazz and funk to the mix and will delight friends of the guitar, as will Lionel Loueke , the new string sensation of the African album Karibu. With blues and soul, the British guitarist James Hunter creates a bridge to the American soul legend Solomon Burke .

The power of divas can be experienced on several occasions: Marianne Faithfull from Great Britain will appear, who swings between sophisticated pop and jazz, which is where the American singer Madeleine Peyroux also feels at home. The Cubans in the Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club and their singer Omara Portuondo show that age has no impact on being in a good mood - which the comedian and jazz artist Helge Schneider will also provide.

Vienna Jazz Festival

29.6.-9.7.2009 
various venues
tel. (+43 1) 408 60 30,
www.viennajazz.org