Split is proud about its music traditions, and no matter how strange it sounds, jazz is strong part of that heritage. What Dalmatian coast has to do with a music which is coming halfway around the globe?

Just like many other things which marked 20th century, jazz arrived to Split with the allied forces' peace mission after the World War One. In those few years American sailors brought that strange sound to local bars and restaurants, causing horror among Split puritans. Some of that spirit and sound was taken even by Ivo Tijardović, Split-born composer and author of two iconic operettas, "A Little Floramye" and "Split Aquarelle". A lot of that tradition survived even the World War Two, and in 1950s and 1960s Split even had its own big band, with musicians playing internationally. Peak came in the 1990s, with the Split Jazz Festival. True greats played on stages at Prokurative and in the National Theatre: Diana Krall, McCoy Tyner, Trilok Gurtu, Michael Brecker, and Marc Ribot...

A little silence followed, until Jazz in February started in the City Puppet Theatre. Small, cosy, and intimate auditorium bring some great music for the last seven years. Performers are mostly names from the South-eastern Europe, more precise former Yugoslavia. That way Jazz in February became important festival for those musicians who like to connect different traditions, mostly classic jazz and Balkans' ethno sound. Same kind of experience we will have this year, with concerts on three Saturdays, and special night on Valentine's Day. Maybe you didn't hear for all the names which will play there, but trust me: Jazz in February rarely misses. Let's see what to expect.

February 11

First night brings a combination of jazz, and traditions of Bosnia and north-eastern parts of Croatia, area bordering with Hungary and Serbia. Her name is Zrinka Posavec, she has critically acclaimed 2016 album "Pantomima". In Split she will perform with awarded pianist Hrvoje Galler, excellent ally for Balkans music - jazz experiments. Listen what she sounds like at concert.

February 14

This is a night for those in love, called My Jazzy Valentine, performed by guitarist Željko Brodarić Jappa and his daughter, singer Sara Brodarić. Recently they had a concert at the same venue, called Jazz Winter Wonderland, now they return with jazz classics and evergreen set, including those by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Tony Bennet... Of course, love is what all songs have in common. Sara is excellent vocalist, who contributed to several music projects so far, and Jappa is a local legend as a guitar player and producer. Joy is guaranteed.

February 18

Bow vs Plectrum is one of the latest sensations in Croatian jazz. Its members are Filip Novosel (tambura) and Tihomir Hojsak (double bass), and during 2016 they had a series of appearances on concerts and festivals in Croatia, around Europe and in USA. Their album "Bow vs Plectrum" had been awarded as a jazz album of the year. What to expect? They play a fusion of ethno music and jazz, with a sound you have hardly ever heard in jazz, classic folklore instrument tambura, common in northern Croatia. It's combined with a double bass. This is how they sound.

February 25

Oridano Gypsy Jazz Band comes from Zagreb, and they play since 2010. Their name describes their music the best; they just love sound of Django Reinhardt and gipsy swing. They have three albums in their discography, and many concerts around Croatia and Europe. Watch and listen here.

Tickets for all events will be available at the theatre's box office, but it's a small venue and you better hurry. Croatia Tickets might be a better choice.