This evening marks the opening of the 20th edition of the Ploiești Jazz Festival. On stage, both national and international artists of great renown will perform. For more details, we are speaking with Mr. Vlad Mateescu, general director of the "Paul Constantinescu" Philharmonic of Ploiești. Welcome back to Radio România Muzical.

Thank you very much for the invitation. It is always an honor and a joy, especially since it allows me to speak about the Philharmonic and, in this case, about the Ploiești Jazz Festival.

We begin tonight with Romanian and international artists performing on stage, with two recitals marking the opening evening of the four-day festival in Ploiești.

This year, the festival runs for four days, not five as in previous editions. I would like to emphasize something: just like last year, we have sought solutions despite the growing challenges facing the cultural sector, particularly in terms of funding. This year, the Philharmonic, together with several partners, specifically some NGOs, has managed to submit projects to secure non-reimbursable funding. One such project was submitted by the ACS Arhivarul Association and Ploiești Jazz Club 1968, in partnership with the Ploiești City Hall and the Ploiești Philharmonic. It is a free-admission event, an important aspect, and I warmly invite everyone to join us. Tonight's concert opens with a project entitled Jazz on the Big Screen, featuring Mihaela Alexa (vocals), the Ploiești Jazz Trio-our jazz department-with Sorin Zlat (piano), Răzvan Cojanu (double bass), Laurențiu Ștefan (drums), and, of course, the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra conducted by maestro Constantin Grigore. This is the first part of the evening, followed by a concert by the Omri Mor Trio from Israel, A Song for Benji, a sonic journey through the colors, contrasts, and freedom of modern jazz.

The second evening will once again feature both a foreign and a Romanian band. Could you tell us more about them?

The Ben Chawes Quartet are remarkable artists. They performed in Ploiești many years ago, and we are delighted to bring them back, especially at this moment. The evening will conclude with a jazz-rock project, Platonic Band - Geometry of Creation, featuring the outstanding guitarist Nicu Patoi. On Saturday, October 18th, the program will include tributes to Charlie Parker and Richard Oschanitzky, as part of the Revedere 85 Album project. This is an exploration of Romanian jazz from the 1960s to the 1980s, beginning with a tribute to one of the fathers of modern jazz-maestro Charlie Parker. On Sunday, the festival will conclude with two performances. The first features the Ploiești Jazz Trio, The Power of Three-a project dedicated to friendship and harmony among three truly emblematic musicians who have collaborated on major stages around the world. The closing act will be Germany's Matti Klein Soul Trio with Bouncin' In Bubbleverse, an explosive festival finale filled with vibrant rhythms and delightfully surprising sonorities. Beyond the concerts themselves, this festival also has an educational and exhibition component. Indeed, this anniversary edition features a series of educational activities for young people, as part of the Philharmonic's Edu Musik program, under the guidance of jazz promoter Lucian Sabados. We have dedicated many projects to children. We are also hosting a photography exhibition titled The History of Jazz in Ploiești. Moreover, the Ploiești Jazz Festival is held under the High Patronage of Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown.

To conclude, let us mention that all festival evenings begin at 7:00 p.m. and take place in the Ion Baciu Hall of the Ploiești Philharmonic.

Exactly. For those who are not from Ploiești or cannot make the trip to the Ploiești Philharmonic, the concerts will also be streamed live, free of charge, on our own platform, Virtual Concert Hall.