bahrainthismonth.com | OCTOBER 2026 LIFESTYLE 59 Culture have opened further cultural opportunities. Founder Jude D’Souza has also been invited, and continues to be invited, to international festivals as a guest speaker, where he shares his specialist knowledge of building and running a jazz festival. These invitations reflect Bahrain Jazz Fest’s growing voice within the international jazz community. The Next Verse As Bahrain Jazz Fest approaches its tenth edition, the community that has grown around it remains central to its story. “Ten years ago we set out to give Bahrain a jazz festival it could call its own,” reflects Mr. D’Souza. “What has stayed with me most isn’t any single headliner or stage moment, it’s watching a community grow around this music, and watching Bahrain become a genuine stop on the international jazz circuit.” The organisers are currently working through the details of the milestone edition, with further updates to follow. As its tenth edition approaches, Bahrain Jazz Fest looks ahead, continuing to build its community through the musicians it supports and the audiences it brings together. Ready for the next set? Book your tickets bahrainjazzfest.com bahrainjazzfest workshops, performances and personalised instruction to young musicians, with activities held at venues including St. Christopher’s School Bahrain, British School of Bahrain, American School of Bahrain and the Down Syndrome Care Centre. Direct financial grants provide further support to Bahraini musicians, while satellite Yalla Jazz programmes in Riyadh extend opportunities beyond the Kingdom. The festival also works with local businesses, sourcing its logistics, merchandise, food and market stalls entirely from Bahraini suppliers and micro-businesses. These activities connect young players and established performers with families discovering the music for the first time. Bahrain on the Jazz Map The festival runs in strategic partnership with Bahrain’s Ministry of Tourism and features on the Kingdom’s official tourism calendar, with its cultural and tourism ambitions aligned with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. The festival has also gained international recognition. Bahrain Jazz Fest is a Global Organisational Partner of International Jazz Day through the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO, making it one of 31 institutions worldwide to hold the status. In 2026, it received a Silver Dragon in the Nation, City & Place Impact category at the inaugural Dragons of MENA awards. A partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi has created opportunities for Bahraini and Emirati musicians to collaborate during International Jazz Day celebrations. Relationships with the British Council, Italian Embassy, Goethe-Institut, Alliance Française and Cyprus Ministry of
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