Gent Jazz - Day 1

A great jazz celebration at Gent Jazz on 2 July

Gent Jazz opens its doors on Thursday 2 July with a very special evening dedicated entirely to the history of jazz and its future. This year marks the hundredth anniversary of two giants: Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Jazz phenomenon Lakecia Benjamin kicks things off with her explosive blend of hardbop, funk and spiritual jazz, backed by an impressive list of collaborations with legends such as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and Terence Blanchard. Next, bass legend Stanley Clarke N*4Ever takes the stage: the co-founder of Return to Forever redefined the role of the electric bass in jazz fusion and tours today with a young, energetic band that brings together jazz, rock, funk and hip-hop in surprising ways. The emotional highlight of the evening is the extraordinary collaboration between trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, son of John Coltrane. Together they present a bold reinterpretation of the legacy of Miles Davis and John Coltrane — not a nostalgic trip but a celebration of the future of jazz. The night closes with the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra, led by the now centenarian Marshall Allen: a theatrical, spiritual and avant-garde spectacle fusing swing, free jazz, afrofuturism and cosmic jazz into an unforgettable show. On the Garden Stage, Brussels-based Brahja Trio brings experimental jazz with captivating energy, while Bodem opens the evening with their distinctive sound.