From 23 to 25 January 2026, the winter mountain region will once again become a stage for contemporary jazz, improvisation, and musical experimentation. The compact winter edition of the renowned Jazzfestival Saalfelden is known for its exceptional venues, international artists, and musical discoveries that transcend conventional genre boundaries.
Already on Thursday, 22 January, a free film evening at Kunsthaus Nexus will set the tone for the weekend. The ORF documentary “Jazz in Austria – From Liberation to a New Beginning” (in German language) will be screened, highlighting the social and cultural significance of jazz after 1945.
The official concert programme begins on Friday with the duo Colin Vallon and Vincent Courtois at Saalfelden Parish Church. At Kunsthaus Nexus, the electroacoustic trio MŸA, led by French trombonist Robinson Khoury, will perform, followed by the Jazz Orchestra Vorarlberg under the direction of Martin Eberle and Benny Omerzell. The orchestra will celebrate its 20th anniversary with the project “Sonus Variegate”.
Saturday showcases the full spectrum of the festival: from the infectious rockabilly of The Wango Tangos at the free afternoon concert in AsitzBräu, right in the heart of the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, to the sophisticated grooves of the Joanna Duda Trio and the poetic Sélène Saint-Aimé String Trio at Kunsthaus Nexus, and finally the Icelandic group ADHD, whose intense, genre-defying sound has been captivating audiences and critics alike for years.
On Sunday, gentle, narrative sounds take centre stage: Sofia Labropoulou and Christian Reiner combine improvised music and poetry at the Mining and Gothic Museum Leogang, before Jelena Popržan concludes the festival with a multifaceted solo performance spanning jazz, contemporary music, folk, and cabaret.
“3 Days of Jazz Festival Saalfelden Leogang” opens the new year with a concentrated festival format that highlights the diversity of today’s jazz scene – international, experimental, and open-minded.
In line with sustainability principles, “3 Days of Jazz Saalfelden Leogang” is organised as a GREEN EVENT SALZBURG. This means the event is designed to be especially eco-friendly – from regional food and beverages to minimising waste.
Photo: Jelena Popržan (c) Igor Ripak
