Press Release | Gent Jazz announces first thirteen names for 2027 edition: Thundercat, Gregory Porter, Robert Plant, Kamasi Washington, Tinariwen and more
From Kamasi Washington, Thundercat and Robert Plant to Gregory Porter, Joe Bonamassa and the works of Arvo Pärt: Gent Jazz will once again present a programme with wide-ranging musical ambitions from 1 to 17 July 2027.
The first line-up of artists for the opening day has already been announced. On Thursday 1 July, Scottish artist corto.alto will bring his distinctive future jazz sound to the stage, and presenting his latest album, SOME SMALL FORTUNE. Two musical childhood friends will take the headline slots: Thundercat, Stephen Lee Bruner’s stage name, is a virtuoso bassist, singer and producer who pays no heed to genres. Saxophone maestro and spiritual jazz visionary Kamasi Washington is regarded as one of the most influential voices in modern American jazz.
The line-up for the main stage on Sunday 4 July, is now complete. The Belgian National Orchestra reimagines the music of iconic Estonian composer Arvo Pärt in a fresh context; while composer and pianist Wim Mertens crafts a delicate mosaic of emotions; L’Antidote blends Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Balkan traditions into a poetic tapestry; and Swedish trio Bach Jazz gives the timeless compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach a sophisticated, warmly jazz-inflected twist.
Tuesday 6 July sees Gregory Porter take the stage. With his warm baritone and unique blend of jazz, soul and gospel, the American singer has become one of the most beloved voices of his generation.
On Saturday 10 July, Gent Jazz welcomes an icon of British rock to the Main Stage. Robert Plant, world-renowned as the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, explores the colourful world of roots and folk on his new Root & Branch tour. He is joined by his band Saving Grace, featuring British singer Suzi Dian, who shares vocal duties with Plant. Tinariwen, the Malian-Berber desert blues band, the legendary Roland Van Campenhout and his Space Cowboys, and the all-female four-piece ensemble Marshall Gilmour Webbs complete the Main Stage line-up.
Joe Bonamassa brings a deliciously bluesy sound to the Main Stage on Wednesday 14 July. The American guitarist is one of the leading figures in contemporary blues rock, with dozens of albums to his name and an impressive track record on the Billboard Blues Chart.
Ticket sales for the announced festival dates commence on Friday 30 October at 10 am via wwww.gentjazz.com
Liesbeth Rubben