Esad Halilovic, as Artistic Director, played one of the key roles in organizing the first Pakistan Jazz Festival, which was part of the FACE Music Festival in Islamabad. The festival was jointly organized by the Foundation for Arts, Culture and Education (FACE) and the Lahore Jazz Club.
FACE
FACE is a platform that empowers artists and artisans by providing opportunities to create, collaborate, and engage with wider audiences. Through its various cultural programs and festivals, FACE promotes social change and cross-cultural exchange. Since its inception in 2014, FACE has pioneered several festivals in Pakistan, growing exponentially over the years. By 2019, its festivals attracted over 25,000 attendees, with numbers expected to surpass 30,000 in 2022.
Lahore Jazz Club
The Lahore Jazz Club, established in 2022, has become a central hub for jazz enthusiasts in Pakistan. Through events like the International Jazz Festival, the club brings together musicians from around the world to celebrate jazz, fostering a vibrant and sophisticated music scene. Its mission is to transform Lahore into a global jazz destination, enriching the city’s cultural landscape.
Organizing Team:
- Founder: Zeejah Fazli
- Executive Director: Hassan Mian
- Artistic Director: Esad Halilovic
- Project Managers: Nosheen Bukhari / Mariam Rafique
Pakistan Jazz Festival - Festival First Year (2022)
For the first time in Pakistan, FACE hosted an international jazz stage as part of the FACE Music Mela in both Islamabad and Lahore. Artists from Austria, Poland, Switzerland, and the USA performed alongside Pakistani jazz musicians, creating a unique cross-cultural experience.
Esad Halilovic participated with his band, Dusha Connection, which has represented Austria at renowned jazz festivals in Hong Kong, China, Havana, Nepal, Mexico, and various European countries. With this performance, Pakistan was added to their list of international appearances.
The two-day festival featured an impressive lineup, including:
- Sunny Jain (USA)
- Marcel Balinski Trio (Poland)
- Shams Raheel (Afghanistan)
- Asfandyar Khattak (Pakistan – KP)
- Dholi Sain Tanveer (Pakistan – Punjab)
- Leva Dance (Pakistan – Balochistan)
- Saakin, Bayan, Abdul Hannan, and Peter Makto (Hungary)
- The Late-Night Cats (Switzerland)
- The Red Studio (Pakistan)
- Dusha Connection (Austria)
Second Edition (2023)
In 2023, Halilovic returned with his Esad Halilovic Quartet ft. Akmal Qadri for the second edition of the Pakistan Jazz Festival in Islamabad. The festival continued to showcase international and local talent, further solidifying its reputation as a premier jazz event in South Asia.
The 2023 finale, held on November 24th and 25th at the Alhamra Art Council in Lahore, featured artists from Germany, Poland, Austria, and Spain, including:
- Pelican System ft. Bartosz Szablowski (Poland)
- Eva Fernandez Trio (Spain)
- A jazz band from Pakistan
Austria-Pakistan Cultural Exchange
With his involvement in the organization of the jazz festival and through his participation in various jazz events, Esad Halilovic has significantly contributed to the cultural exchange between Austria and Pakistan.
At a special evening hosted by Austrian Ambassador Andrea Wicke in Islamabad, he collaborated with both Austrian and Pakistani musicians. The performance blended Western jazz with traditional Sufi music, incorporating the rubab and tabla, creating a unique musical dialogue.
Halilovic expressed his enthusiasm for these collaborations, stating:
“It is my fourth time in Pakistan, and I am really happy to be here and play with these incredible musicians. We are creating a fusion of Sufi qawwali and Western European jazz—something entirely new for me and a very special experience.”
His ongoing involvement in Pakistan’s jazz festivals not only highlights his versatility as a musician but also strengthens cultural ties between Austria and Pakistan, enriching the global jazz landscape.
Pakistan Jazz Festival 2024 & Future Editions
The festival successfully continued in 2024, featuring another outstanding lineup of international and local jazz artists. Moving forward, the Pakistan Jazz Festival aims to expand its reach, bringing more global jazz talent to Pakistan and establishing itself as a key fixture in the international jazz circuit.