This year the festival put a special focus on American artists and featured quartets. The American artists at the festival, Vince Bartels, Jennifer Leitham and the Washboard Wizards, entertained festival audiences with enormous success, and their direct engagement with the audience presented a fresh image of the U.S. and a greater understanding of American society.

As Public Affairs Officer Edward Loo underscored in his opening remarks, "Jazz has played an important role in American heritage as well as in global diplomacy. Through jazz, we can celebrate both cultural diversity and common ground."

Source: U.S. Embassy Budapest

Photo: Public Affairs Officer Ed Loo and Bohém Jazz Festival organizer Tamás Ittzés on Opening Night. (Embassy photo by Mónika Váli)