Sani Festival Celebrates 25 Years, Hosts International Jazz Artists

Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra

The Sani Festival, the annual cultural initiative of the Sani Resort, is celebrating its 25^th anniversary and preparing to host some of the most renowned artists of the local and the international jazz scene, from July 8 to August 19 at the Sani Hill in the area of Kassandra in Halkidiki, northern Greece.

Gonzalo Rubalcaba

“Without a limit to words and many emotions we complete 25 years. It is not a short period of time, especially for a festival that started on an amateur basis, with love and care”, said the festival’s artistic director Olga Tabouris-Babalis. “It is an achievement – if I may say so – for a festival to still stand on the country’s cultural scene after so many years, to be distinguished outside its borders, to be able to leave its distinctive mark by combining the two basic pillars of the Greek industry: tourism and culture,” she added.

The Trondheim Jazz Orchestra

The festival’s  “Jazz on the Hill” section this year will focus on international jazz and starting on July 8 will host the Norwegian, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. Its leader, saxophonist and composer Eirik Hegdal will meet Joshua Redman on stage, one of the most renowned saxophonists of the African American jazz.

Grammy award winner Gonzalo Rubalcaba will also hit the Sani Festival’s stage on July 15.

Natassa Bofiliou

The “International Sounds” section on July 23 will present jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and on July 29  her daughter China Moses, also a distinguished singer.

The “Greek Variations” section will include renowned singers Manolis Mitsias on August 5 and Natassa Bofiliou on August 13.

The festival will conclude on August 19 with the “Classical Waves” and a tribute concert to Maria Callas by the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra.

Sani Resort

Situated in an area of more than 1,000 acres of fragrant pine forest, olive groves, golden beaches and crystal clear waters, the Sani Resort includes five hotels and a yacht marina and it is offering a wide range of leisure and accommodation facilities.