Nišville is a jazz festival with the longest tradition in Serbia. According to the last edition of the festival (the main program and supporting programs followed up to nearly 100,000 people), it is certainly the most visited event of this kind in Southeastern Europe.
From the very beginning, the concept of the festival (apart from the "traditional" forms of jazz,) was based primarily on the fusion of jazz and the ethnic traditions of different parts of the world, especially with the traditions of Balkans. The most famous jazz magazine in the world "Downbeat" said that Nišville festival not only promotes jazz as a music genre originated on the American continent, but also music traditions of the Balkans, and especially the combination of these two styles, which resulted in presenting the music of the Balkans as a new world trend.
The main program of the festival is held on two stages at the Fortress of Niš (Earth & Sky stage). During one festival evening there are 6 band performing at these stages, and they are usually no less then 20.000 people in the audience. The following free programs at the Gate stage (5 performers per night), the accompanying concerts at various places all over town, jazz movies at a special Movie stage, are visited by 80.000 people!
For 2011 the organizers have announced that, beside the regular program of the festival, there will be an additional program dedicated to Šaban Bajramović, the King of gipsy music, which will be held at the docks of the Nišava river, beside the statue of Šaban, that was placed in 2010 thanks to Nišville festival. There will be 5 bands of different music genres that will be performing Šaban’s compositions.
Some of the musicians who have confirmed their participation so far are: Tom Harrell, Hans & Candy Dulfer, Sly & Robbie ft. Junior Reid, Rick Margitza & Maya Nova, Jive Aces, Mungo Jerry, ect.
