The tennis courts of the seaside city of Batumi once again hosts the Black Sea Jazz Festival.

The multi-year festival program features performances from numerous well-known bands and artists, including the famous group Jackson 5, which will visit Batumi on July 28 and conclude the festival with a grand concert.

The festival will take place on July 26, 27, and 28, promising an unforgettable celebration for numerous guests and performers. Since 2007, Batumi has transformed into a hub for jazz enthusiasts, providing festival visitors with increasingly memorable experiences each year.

This year's lineup is not limited to just the Jacksons; the stage will also feature stars such as Philip Lassiter and JoJo Mayer.

The festival will kick off on July 26 with a concert by the legendary Philip Lassiter, an 11-time Grammy winner, at the Batumi courts. As a longtime member of Prince's New Power Generation, he will enchant the Georgian audience with music celebrating democracy, offering listeners the chance to experience his first solo concert.

On July 27, the stage will be taken over by the virtuoso Swiss drummer JoJo Mayer. Accompanied by the electronic quartet "Nerve," the artist will present flawless sessions of drum and bass, as well as jungle music to the audience.

The Jackson family needs no introduction. Tito, Jackie, and Marlon Jackson are heading to Europe this year, promising an unforgettable performance filled with everyone’s favorite hits, including "ABC," "Can You Feel It," "I Want You Back," and more.

This year's tour by the Jackson family serves as a prelude to a film about them, set to be released in 2025. Given the festival's rich history and intriguing stories, we decided to interview Kaha Kandelaki, one of its founders, to share more about the magical days that Batumi hosts annually.

The festival begins its journey aboard a jazz train heading towards the seaside city, opening the path to the magical world of musical improvisation for its guests. To learn more about the festival, we spoke with Kaha Kandelaki, one of its founders.

"Mr. Kaha, where did the idea for the festival originate, what obstacles did you face, and how did you get to where you are now?"

The festival has a fascinating origin story that dates back to 2007. It actually stems from the Tbilisi Jazz Festival, which is the foundation for all music festivals in Georgia. At that time, the concept of a "festival" was not well-known, and its associations were primarily tied to the Tbilisi Jazz Festival.

The festival's roots trace back to 1978, a time when the concept of sponsorship was virtually unknown. There was little understanding of what it meant to sponsor an event, and terms like "informational support" were rare. Coca-Cola was the general sponsor, along with TBC Bank in 2007. Initially, despite inviting numerous artists, only about 20 attendees showed up at the concerts. Legendary figures like Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis performed, along with the band Parov Stelar, which later gained significant recognition in the electro-swing jazz scene.

Several years ago, we invited artists for a New Year's event that attracted 30,000 attendees, a stark contrast to the initial years when only about 20 people showed up. The doors were open, yet no one was coming in, and people stood outside. This situation is reminiscent of the Newport Jazz Festival's early days, which also began with just a small staff.

We have developed four festivals based on different styles, corresponding to the four seasons, each with its unique focus. Gradually, people began to appreciate the richness and diversity of jazz and its various subgenres. For instance, funk was introduced to Georgia following the Batumi Jazz Festival, as the term "funk" was previously unfamiliar to us; we referred to it as Rhythm and Blues back then.

Batumi has hosted legendary funk artists such as George Clinton, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, and Larry Graham. Some attendees expressed a desire to see Snoop Dogg or The Prodigy, while for me, seeing Quincy Jones felt almost unbelievable. Quincy Jones is often referred to as the king of the global music industry; after all, he was instrumental in shaping Michael Jackson's career and was behind the "USA for Africa" project. He has also mentored a new generation of artists, including Jacob Collier and Cole Henry.

As soon as Jacob Collier left Batumi, he won six Grammy Awards over the next three years. Quincy Jones himself told me that after finding Michael Jackson, he had never been so captivated by anyone else since then. Speaking of the Jacksons, let's discuss them as well...

The entire Jackson family is coming, with three brothers and a singer, forming an eight-member band along with top-class instrumentalists. They will perform the full repertoire from the original Jackson Five. Interestingly, they are celebrating their 50th anniversary tour this year.

Since a movie about the family will be released in 2025, featuring very well-known actors, fans are eagerly awaiting this opportunity. Don’t miss your chance to see them live before the film comes out!

Elton John also performed, and later his film won an Oscar. James Brown was in Tbilisi, and suddenly he appears in a film as well. Netflix featured Quincy Jones, which is a significant promotion for the country. This festival not only represents Tbilisi but was also the first of its kind in the post-Soviet space.

The festival opens with Philip Lassiter, an American multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, renowned for his exceptional arranging skills. His show combines influences from Prince and gospel music, showcasing a remarkable sense of rhythm and a unique groove.

While there are jazz elements present, they comprise about 20%, with a stronger focus on funk and disco—essentially "happy music." Lassiter has collaborated with numerous artists, earning 11 Grammy Awards, and has recently launched his own project. Notably, he will perform with a 12-member band and host jam sessions at "Iveria Beach" for all three nights of the festival.