The international YaffoJazz Festival is one of Israel’s leading jazz events, taking place this year on October 9–11, 2025 at ZOA (Beit Ziyonei America) in Tel Aviv. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the festival brings together more than 40 top jazz artists from Israel and abroad, creating a unique musical celebration of encounters, connections, and surprises.

Among the festival’s highlights will be Jerzy Małek – a Polish trumpeter, composer, producer and lecturer, considered one of the most innovative and exciting musicians on the European jazz scene. Fortuna combines traditional acoustic jazz with modern electronic sounds and cutting-edge musical technologies.  During the festival he will lead a special project – a tribute to Suzanne Vega: Luka.

The concert is dedicated to the work of American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, known for her iconic hits Luka, Tom’s Diner, and Left of Center, which became milestones in modern folk and pop. Małek will perform with an outstanding international ensemble: Prudence Katomeni (Zimbabwe, vocals), Kasperi Sarikoski (Finland, trombone), Tony Pancella (Italy, piano), Amit Friedman (Israel, saxophone), Assaf Hakimi (Israel, bass), and Iris Portugali (Israel, drums). Together, they will give Vega’s songs a fresh and colorful jazz interpretation – blending authenticity with creative freedom and musical innovation. Fortuna’s performance is expected to be one of the festival’s highlights – a cross-cultural journey linking New York of the 1980s, contemporary Tel Aviv, and the powerful presence of today’s Polish jazz scene.

Friday, October 10, 2025 | 16:30

ZOA (Beit Ziyonei America), 1 Daniel Frisch St., Tel Aviv

 For more information and tickets 

Jerzy Małek’s presence at the festival won’t limited to a single performance. He will also take part in the following concerts:

• Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 21:30 | Meyerhoff Hall – Tribute to Nina Simone. More information and tickets
• Friday, October 10, 2025 | 12:30 | Martha Hall – “Special Duo” with the international artists participating in the festival, where musicians pair up in surprising duets created the night before and revealed to the audience for the first time on stage.. More information and tickets
• Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 10:30 | Meyerhoff Hall – Tribute to Leonard Cohen, followed by the festive closing concert with all festival artists. More information and tickets

Małek’s participation in each of the festival days reflects the spirit of collaboration and cultural dialogue that jazz makes possible – a living connection between New York of the 1980s, today’s Tel Aviv, and the powerful presence of the contemporary Polish jazz scene.

In addition, YaffoJazz will feature a rich lineup of tribute concerts to legendary artists such as Hanan Yovel, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan, all reimagined through fresh jazz arrangements. 

YaffoJazz offers a vibrant and inspiring encounter between styles – jazz, folk, and contemporary music – providing an extraordinary experience where beloved songs gain new life. It is not only a festival of music but also of creativity, culture, and connection, celebrating the unifying power of sound.