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Russia's Jazz Event of the Year

More than 1,000 jazz industry professionals from more than 30 countries will meet in one place to promote jazz in Russia and Russian jazz abroad.

About JAB

Jazz Across Borders is an international forum–fest, one of the largest events in Europe dedicated to professional issues of the jazz industry. The founder and president is People‘s Artist of Russia Igor Butman.
This is the first and only professional venue in Russia for meeting representatives of the national and world jazz community!

Mission JAB

Our mission is to be a key platform for promoting Russian jazz abroad and a centre of attraction for international and Russian jazz industry leaders.

JAB History

JAB 2022

In 2022, JAB became the culmination of the celebration of the Centenary of Russian Jazz. After a two-year online format, we again held JAB as usual - with personal meetings, showcases, and club concerts!

JAB 2021

In 2021, JAB was again held online - on November 13 and 14. The Forum Fest events were watched by more than 500,000 people from 45 countries. JAB 2021 was attended by more than 50 speakers from 16 countries, who managed to jointly discuss industry issues in the era of COVID-19 over 2 days.

JAB 2020

In 2020, JAB was held in an online format. More than 50 speakers from 13 countries took part in the program. The broadcast was watched by more than 10,000 people from 70 countries!

JAB 2019

Since it was first held in Saint Petersburg 3 years ago, JAB has brought together more than 3000 professionals along with the the elite of the world jazz community.

JAB 2018

The second Jazz Across Borders forum-fest had a successful run on 16-17 November 2018 as part of the VII Saint Petersburg International Cultural Forum.

JAB 2017

JAB was founded by Igor Butman, the National Artist of Russia. In 2017, his initiative to hold an international jazz conference in Russia was endorsed by the Ministry of Culture.