National Jazz Orchestra – Republic of North Macedonia; Seun Kuti-saxophone, vocals – Nigeria

Conductor: Dzijan Emin, Republic of North Macedonia

National Jazz Orchestra

Seon Kuti-vocals, saxophone

The National Jazz Orchestra was founded in 2024 as a result of the dedication and efforts of established Macedonian jazz musicians with significant international careers, the students and professors of the jazz academies in Skopje and Shtip and with the support of the numerous jazz aficionados and supporters of jazz music in the country. The National Jazz Orchestra is rooted in the Association of jazz musicians and free artists that have been promoting jazz music and organizing jazz concerts since 2016. The mission of the orchestra is to promote jazz music and add to the cultural and music offer in the country. Its members aim at high quality productions, international touring as well as education of young talent and audience building.

The concert of the National Jazz Orchestra at the Ohrid Summer festival features the Nigerian singer songwriter Seun Kuti, who is hailed for his attractive performances and socially engaging music. He is the son of the pioneer of Afrobeat Fela Kuti and he has spent most of his life and career protecting and continuing the legacy of his father as a music and political voice as a

leader of the band Egypt 80. He has released 5 albums with Egypt 80, and the last one Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) released 2024 is produced by Lenny Krawitz. Seon Kuti was nominated for a Grammy award in 2018 and has collaborated extensively with renowned jazz musicians. The concert programme features materials from Seun Kuti’s studio albums specially arranged for big band.