US artists Janiva Magnes, Walter Trout and Sherry Williams, 'the Princess of Gospel Rockin' Blues,' as well as Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, are among the performers who will take to the main stage of the 14th edition of the Brasov Jazz & Blues Festival, which will take place from 14-16 August, the festival organisers announced on Wednesday.

The event will be held at several venues in the city and surrounding areas, with the main stage, where the international artists will perform, located in St John Square, while Juno Wine Garden will host concerts by Romanian artists.

Coresi Mall is once again part of the programme, as is the fortified church in Bod, which will host the traditional gospel concert.

The festival programme will also include the already traditional jam session evenings, as well as other events supporting the local artists' scene.

Unlike previous years, the festival will not receive financial support from the Brasov municipality, meaning that the number of free events in this year's programme will be lower, Fanzin Association President Marian Gilea told a news conference.

Janiva Magness is one of the most valuable and influential contemporary blues artists, with seven Blues Music Awards to her name, and will perform on Friday at the festival opening, alongside Ana Cristina Leonta, 'one of the most original and daring voices in contemporary Romanian jazz.'

On Saturday, audiences will be able to see Sherry Williams, known as 'The Princess of Gospel Rockin' Blues', a regular presence at the Brasov festival, and Walter Trout, who ranked sixth in a BBC Radio poll of the greatest guitarists of all time, a list that includes Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. Trout will perform in Brasov for the first time, with his concert part of the European 'Sign Of The Times' tour promoting his latest studio album of the same name.

Sherry Williams will perform a second concert on Saturday at the fortified church in Bod, where she will sing alongside her European band, the Lars Kutschke Band, and Transylvania's only gospel choir, Sepsi Gospel Band.

Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, who combines contemporary jazz, Afro-Cuban influences and classical training, and who was noticed by Quincy Jones, who became his mentor, will take the stage on Sunday alongside Swaeli Mbappe (bass) and Michael Olivera (drums).

Also on the festival's final day, French-Cuban neo-soul artist Charlotte Colace will perform.

The Romanian artists' stage at Juno Garden will feature Dalma (Friday), Berti Barbera & Nicu Patoi (Saturday) and Corina Sirghi & Toma Dimitriu Group.

At Coresi Mall, there will be concerts and free activities for families. On Friday, young members of the Soundbox Music Academy will give guitar, piano, violin, drums and vocal recitals, while on Saturday they will invite the public to 'Beat the Drum' - an artistic moment in which dozens of drummers will play together to well-known rhythms.

On Sunday, a special event designed for parents and children will take place - 'family concert with Mima Muzica Brasov.'

The Brasov Jazz & Blues Festival is organised by the Fanzin Association, with the German Cultural Centre and the Brasov City Hall among the event's partners. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Diana Dumitru; EN - writing by: Rodica State)

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