Jazz podium of Lent Festival: From the back to the front

The Jazz Podium Festival Lent has long been a cornerstone of cultural life in Slovenia, offering a platform for both emerging and established artists within the jazz genre. This year's edition, however, marks a significant shift as it brings into the spotlight Dejan Lapanja, a multifaceted musician whose contributions have often remained behind the scenes. Known primarily for his work as a guitarist, vocalist, drummer, multi-instrumentalist, sound designer, and music producer, Lapanja has spent over two decades on the Slovenian music scene. His presence has largely been felt through collaborations with numerous well-known groups spanning diverse musical styles, including the Schofjeloški art rock band Ulixes and projects such as Projekt Mesto, Olivija, The Fool Cool Orchestra, Laibach, Terrafolk, BAST, and the progressive Tolmin ethno group Salamandra Salamandra. He has also worked alongside prominent musicians like Vlatko Stefanovski, Vasko Atanasovski, Vlado Kreslin, and Severa Gjurin.

Lapanja’s artistic journey has been deeply intertwined with that of Katarina Juvančič, an ethnologist, anthropologist, sociologist of culture, researcher of folklore, essayist, publicist, and music critic. Together, they have released three authorial albums and successfully performed internationally at festivals such as Kantfest in Rusje. Their collaboration extends beyond professional endeavors, as they share a personal connection, living in a remote area between Cerklje and Tolmin. On Sunday, they delivered the opening performance of this year's Jazz Podium, marking a new chapter in their joint artistic expression.

Their compositions blend calm, balanced melodies with richly detailed lyrics that draw heavily from Slovenian folk motifs, incorporating elements of Balkan and other ethnic traditions, along with influences from folk, country, and blues music. The lyrical content often features introspective, emotionally resonant themes that address social and political issues implicitly. These narratives frequently center around specific stories of individuals—those who have been erased, persecuted, marginalized, or disadvantaged—often drawing from their family history and broader societal experiences. Despite these activist undertones, the focus remains on the poetic suggestion rather than overt political statements. The hour-and-a-half-long performance was a carefully crafted whole, intended to resonate particularly with enthusiasts of this niche form of creativity, though the audience turnout was relatively modest compared to the size of the venue.

On Monday, Lapanja took the stage again, this time at the nearby Odru OTP bank, presenting a more dynamic jazz-rock interpretation of his work. The location, situated along the main promenade and offering free admission, attracted a more enthusiastic crowd. Accompanying him was drummer Gašper Peršl, currently active with the group Nakana and collaborating with kantautor Juret Lesar. Peršl and Lapanja have frequently played together as members of various renowned ensembles, highlighting their longstanding musical partnership.

Tonight, Lapanja will perform once more, this time at Jurčkov Odr, where he will appear as part of the most widely recognized ensemble he has regularly collaborated with. In the forefront of this group stands singer, guitarist, and composer Severa Gjurin, accompanied by Danijel Bogataj (guitar, violin, vocals), Uroš Rakovec (guitars, vocals), Žiga Golob (double bass), and Blaž Celarec (drums, percussion, vocals). This performance promises to showcase the full breadth of Lapanja's talents within a familiar yet expansive setting.

This year's festival also coincides with the centenary of the birth of Miles Davis, one of the most influential figures in jazz history. Throughout the festival, jazz and related improvisational genres will be prominently featured, scattered across various venues and programs. While jazz has always held a place at the festival, this year sees a more pronounced emphasis on the genre, particularly highlighted at the central outdoor stage of the Minorits, explicitly dedicated to jazz. The festival officially begins tonight at 10 PM, aligning perfectly with the commemoration of this milestone anniversary, ensuring that the spirit of jazz continues to thrive and evolve in the heart of Slovenia.