DAVID MOZETIČ QUARTET

David Mozetič, saxophone and music

Blaž Pahor, piano

Ilj Pušnik, double bass

Jaka Podgornik, drums

David Mozetič and his band will present original compositions that were released on two albums: Towards New Horizons (2021) and Being & Being (2025). The diverse compositions, with their unique blend of composition and improvisation, take the listener through a wide range of emotions and experiences. His music is bold, creative, full of energy, satisfying even the most demanding ear, while also being accessible to a wider audience.

Nova Gorica jazz saxophonist David Mozetič initially studied philosophy, but later his path took him into the world of music. He attended the Ljubljana Conservatory of Music and Ballet (jazz and popular music major), and then continued his studies at the Klagenfurt Conservatory, where he graduated with honors in 2019. He plays in numerous bands (Big band Gverillaz, Mimika Orchestra, Akordika, Cherry Wine, Simone Lanzi Quartet…), is a saxophone teacher at the Nova Gorica Music School, and in recent years has also been dedicating his time to writing original music. In 2021, he released his debut album, Towards New Horizons – a musical work written in the form of an 8-movement suite – and last year he released his new album Being & Becoming.

Craig Taborn, piano
Mette Rasmussen, saxophone

An extraordinary encounter between two uncompromising voices of improvised music: US pianist Craig Taborn, one of the most visionary keyboard virtuosos of his generation, meets Danish-born, Norway-based alto saxophonist Mette Rasmussen, a radically independent voice of European free jazz.

Mette Rasmussen works on exploring the sonics and fundamental sonorous of her instrument, in ongoing explorations in a variety of bands and projects, such as ØKSE, Trio North, The sleep of reason produces monsters. And she has performed with the likes of Joëlle Léadre, Zeena Parkins, Yoshimi P-We, Sofia Jernberg, Evicshen, Han Bennink and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Hailed by The New York Times as “one of the best jazz pianists alive,” Craig Taborn has played and recorded with such luminaries as Roscoe Mitchell, Wadada Leo Smith, Lester Bowie, Dave Holland, Tim Berne, John Zorn, Evan Parker, Steve Coleman, David Torn, Chris Potter, William Parker, Vijay Iyer, Kris Davis, and many others.

ALL TOGETHER NOW | The final concert of the participants and teachers of the SAXGO26 Saxophone Summer School

• Baptiste Herbin (France)
• Kalle Oittinen (Finland)
• Kenta Saito (Japan)
• Domen Koren (Slovenia)

The Saxophone Summer School traditionally concludes with a final concert by the participants of the classical and jazz saxophone workshops, offering young saxophonists the opportunity to perform on the concert stage. For many of the participants, this is also their first experience of performing at a festival venue, which is of great importance and invaluable in these days.

Under the watchful eye and guidance of the workshop and master class teachers, participants will study for a joint performance during the Saxophone Summer School, very often forging unique personal bonds that continue and deepen from junior high school through the Conservatoire of Music and into the academic world.

The current concert, which changes from year to year due to the high-profile names of the participating mentors and the program selection, includes a piece by renowned Slovenian composer Leon Firšt, written especially for our gathering. The piece, which was created with the desire to intertwine classical and jazz saxophone, is also the official anthem of SAXGO.

Domen Koren (Slovenia), saxophone

Kalle Oittinen (Finland), saxophone

Kenta Saito (Japan), saxophone

Sae Lee (Japan/Slovenia), piano

The second classical concert of the SAXGO26 festival will be, as by tradition, designed by the mentors/teachers of the classical saxophone workshop of this year’s Summer Saxophone School. Accompanied by the indispensable and irreplaceable pianist Sae Lee, three pedagogues and concertants will present themselves. All of them build their careers also with high rankings at the SAXGO International Saxophone Competition in Nova Gorica. Slovenian saxophonist Domen Koren won 3rd place here in 2016 and 2022, while both, the Finnish saxophonist Kalle Oittinen in 2016 and Japanese saxophonist Kenta Saito in 2018, won the 2nd place.

DOMEN KOREN (Slovenia)

Domen Koren began his musical journey under the mentorship of Prof. Betka Bizjak Kotnik, continued at the Ljubljana Conservatory of Music and Ballet (Prof. Lev Pupis), and graduated with distinction from the Academy of Music in Ljubljana (Prof. Matjaž Drevenšek). During his studies, he furthered his skills in Finland (Prof. Joonatan Rautiola) in Spain (Prof. Antonio Felipe Belijar and Mariano García), and completed his postgraduate specialization with Prof. Vincent David in Brussels. Domen is establishing himself as a soloist with various symphony orchestras. His extensive orchestral experience is highlighted by regular collaborations with the Berlin Philharmonic and all professional Slovenian orchestras. During his studies, he was a member of elite international youth orchestras such as the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, European Union Youth Orchestra, and Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra. A recipient of the academic Prešeren Award and multiple international first prizes, Domen is a member of the Ljubljana Saxophone Quartet and works as a mentor and conductor of the SOS and ADA saxophone orchestras. He performs at World Saxophone Congresses, collaborates with leading Slovenian festivals, and serves as a jury member at competitions. Composers regularly dedicate new works to him. A former scholarship recipient of the Slovenian Ministry of Culture, he now teaches at the Ljubljana Conservatory and Franc Šturm music schools and shares his expertise at masterclasses internationally.

KALLE OITTINEN (Finland)

Kalle Oittinen is a front row Finnish classical saxophonist. He works currently as a lecturer of saxophone in Tampere Conservatoire and teaches saxophone, saxophone pedagogy and chamber music in Tampere University of Applied Sciences and Sibelius-Academy. Oittinen is an experienced pedagogue who has worked on all levels from the very beginners to master students and emphasizes a holistic approach in his teaching. He is a versatile and open-minded musician whose projects vary from traditional classical saxophone groups all the way to jazz-band and music theatre. As a chamber musicianhe is a member of the Aava Saxophone Quartet, contemporary music ensemble TampereRaw and duos with pianists Hanna-Leena Savolainen and Tuomas Turriago. He works frequently with symphony orchestras and military bands and gives recitals whose programmes vary from arrangements of baroque/romantic era to contemporary music without forgetting the traditional classical saxophone repertoire. He works closely with Finnish composers and alongside premiering numerous works he has worked on new pedagogic material. Oittinen received the 2nd prize in the 8th International Saxophone Competition in Nova Gorica, Slovenia and has been awarded the Josef Kaartinen -prize and a stipend by the Finnish saxophone association as a credit of the work done for the benefit of saxophone playing in Finland. Oittinen is also a member of The Finnish Soloists’ Association, JLV Sound ambassador and artistic director of Pirkanmaa Saxophone Festival.

KENTA SAITO (Japan)

Kenta Saito is a Japanese saxophonist, First Prize and Best New Work Prize winner at the 7th Adolphe Sax International Competition, becoming the second Japanese laureate since Hiroshi Hara (2002) to receive this distinction. He performs extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing with leading orchestras and wind ensembles throughout Japan, including the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and the Gunma Symphony Orchestra. His artistic work spans solo repertoire, chamber music, and contemporary works, and includes his activities with the saxophone quintet FIVE by FIVE and as Concertmaster of the Blitz Philharmonic Winds, through which he continues to explore new expressive possibilities for the saxophone. Saito graduated with honors from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and completed postgraduate studies at the Tokyo University of the Arts. His awards include prizes at the Japan Wind and Percussion Competition, the Daisen City Omagari New Music Festival, the Kawasaki City Azalea Excellence Award, and Second Prize at the International Saxophone Competition Nova Gorica (Slovenia). He has appeared on major Japanese broadcasts including TV Asahi, NHK-FM, and BS8K, and released his debut album GAISEN on CAFUA Records. He is regularly invited to give masterclasses at institutions in Europe, North America, and Asia, including the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, University of Colorado Denver, and Northwestern University. He currently serves as a lecturer at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and Aoba Art Specialized School.

SAE LEE (Japan/Slovenia)

After studying at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, Sae Lee graduated with honours in piano and chamber music from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris with Michel Beroff and Eric Le Sage. She is the first prize winner of several competitions, including the Città di Padova and Albert Roussel International Festival and chamber music competitions like the Fnapec, Carlo Soliva and Cidade de Alcobaça. She has performed at the renowned Paris Piano à Enghien Festival, at the Nevada-Semipalatinsk International Conference, which is sponsored by the Government of Kazakhstan and UNESCO, and on the Japanese national television programme NHK Classic Club. As a soloist she performed with a number of orchestras worldwide including the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra and Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra – she performed with them the Turangalîla’s Symphony by Olivier Messiaen. She collaborates with world renown ballet dancers like Aurélie Dupont (the Director of Paris Opera Ballet) and Kevin O’Hare (the Director of The Royale Ballet). Sae is currently employed at the Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana. “Sae Lee is one of the most sought-after collaborative pianists of her generation. Her ability to interact with other musicians with exceptional instrumental and artistic level captivate audiences.”(source: Mainich newspaper).

Salvatore Alessandro Miceli (I), saxophone
Vid Verdinek (SI), saxophone
Lian Pucihar (SI), piano

The first concert of the classical part of the SAXGO26 festival this year belongs to two participants of the jubilee 10th edition of the International Saxophone Competition SAXGO25, which took place in our house between 24 and 28 November 2025. The highest-rated Italian competitor Salvatore Micceli and the highest-rated Slovenian competitor Vid Verdinek will present themselves with a solo recital, accompanied by the talented Slovenian pianist Lian Pucihar.

SALVATORE ALESSANDRO MICELI (Italia), saxophone

Salvatore Alessandro Miceli (2000, Palermo) studied saxophone in the class of M. Frederico Alba at the Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali “V. Bellini” in Caltanissetta, where he obtained the first and second academic degrees with a score of 110 out of 110 with distinction and commendation. He then continued his studies first in France at the PESMD in Bordeaux in the class of M. Marie Bernadette Charrier, where he received the title of “Diplòme National Superiéur Professionnel de Musicien (DNSPM) in classical and contemporary saxophone” with distinction, and then in Belgium at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles in the class of M. Vincent David. He is currently attending the master’s program in classical saxophone at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP) in the class of M. Nicolas Arsenjievič. He has participated in master classes with great names in the world of saxophonism. He is a prizewinner at several international competitions, including: Andorra Sax Fest 2024, Concours International de Meylan 2024, Accordi Musicali Academy Saxophone and Clarinet Competition 2024, AEOLUS Blaserwettbewerb 2022, Concorso Roma Tre Orchestra 2021, International Competition “Adolphe Sax” 2019 and International Competition “Gianluca Campochiaro” 2018 in the chamber music section, among others. He has performed in concerts as a soloist with orchestra, in a duo with piano, in an orchestra and in various chamber groups both in Italy and in many other places in Europe.

VID VERDINEK (Slovenia), saxophone

Vid Verdinek started his musical journey in Melodija Muta music school in the class of Vojko Trnjek. During his schooling he attended two national competitions as well as three international competitions in both, solo and chamber group categories, where he was awarded one 1. Prize, three golden awards and one 3. Prize. 2017—2024, he was an active member of the Slovenian Saxophone Orchestra (SOS), which among other performances, appeared at the World Saxophone Congress in Zagreb, Croatia, as well as at the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Paris to pay hommage to the life work of saxophonist Daniel Deffayet. In 2020, he continued his education at the Ljubljana Music and Ballet Conservatory in the class of prof. Lev Pupis. During his studies at the conservatory, he has participated in two national and four international competitions, where he was awarded six golden awards, one second and one first prize. He was a member of a saxophone quartet »Novus«, which had played various concerts in Slovenia, Italy and Croatia.  Since September 2024, he is continuing his studies at the MUK (Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien) with prof. Michael Krenn. Under his guidance, he won the first prize at the Slovenian national competition for young musicians, TEMSIG 2025. Since 2024, Vid has also been a recipient of a scholarship from the Slovenian Ministry of Culture.

LIAN PUCIHAR (Slovenia), piano

Lian Pucihar (2005) started playing the violin at the age of three, and then at the age of six he began taking piano lessons with Ilonka Pucihar at the Vrhnika Music School. Shortly after, he continued his lessons with Kaja Stražar. In addition to piano, he also took saxophone lessons at Zala Kejžar for several years. After graduating from the Ljubljana Conservatory of Music and Ballet with Professor Siavush Gadjiev, he continued his studies at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana with Professor Tatjana Ognjanovič. He also studied with other renowned professors, such as Markus Schirmer, Anna Malikova, Alexander Gadjiev, Jasminka Stančul, Simon Trpčeski and Tadej Horvat. In the 2023/2024 season, he performed a recital at the Slovenian Philharmonic as part of the Ljubljana Music Youth. In 2024, he was accepted to the BISMA Academy summer school in Poland, where he received additional training under the mentorship of Dmitry Alexeev, Ilija Maximov and Rafael Lipstein. He has received awards at numerous competitions, including: 1st prize at the Tartini International Competition in Piran 2022, the title of absolute winner at the Malborghetto International Competition 2023, 2nd prize at the Treviso International Competition 2023 with a chamber group, 3rd prize at TEMSIG 2025, at the Bela Bartok Competition in Graz and at the Young Virtuoso Zagreb Competition. In 2026, he won 1st prize at the TEMSIG Competition with a piano duo.

Baptiste Herbin Trio Django!

Baptiste Herbin, saxophone

Sylvain Romano, double bass

Matthieu Chazarenc, drums

In the European context, there is one name that inspires admiration among the audience and great respect among musicians: Baptiste Herbin. His extreme dedication to the alto saxophone is heard and echoed on world stages, as he is technically and musically one of the most advanced European saxophonists. He is the winner of the Django Reinhardt Award, awarded by the French Jazz Academy, and he helped the French saxophone manufacturer Selmer develop the new “Supreme” model. Drawing from the bebop tradition of Charlie Parker, he maintains the lightness of virtuosity, phrasing and sound projection that only the greats can achieve. At the SAXGO festival, he will be performing in the trio formation Django with Sylvain Romano on the double bass and Matthieu Chazarenc on drums.

Together with Sylvain Romano and André “Dédé” Ceccarelli he also recorded the album of the same name dedicated to Django Reinhardt. The album was produced by Daniel Yvinec, a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, who also accompanied the work on the album in the words:

“The preparation of this album was remarkably fluid. We imagined countless ways to evoke Django Reinhardt, through his era, his compositions, his solos, and through the eyes of those who paid tribute to him. Every idea and suggestion offered to Baptiste was met with lively and stimulating responses, as if, little by little, the language of the brilliant Gypsy jazzman seemed to merge with his own—natural, soulful, and vibrant. It was then up to the music to find its place.

During two intense days of recording, we captured about fifteen tracks and took the time to explore each version in depth, sometimes going as far as six or seven takes. With each new attempt, the sound was refined (letting it emerge, never forcing it…), and the space and contours were defined: the flashes of brilliance would be highlighted by the silences that contrasted with them.

“Django!” brings together three exceptional artists. Never self-centered, they ensure, through committed dedication and an impressive surrender, that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Sylvain Romano’s double bass sound and harmonic clarity naturally assert the essential. With André Ceccarelli, it’s an incomparable signature, a wild vivacity, and above all, an enormous heart, offering itself entirely to the music.

Thus, in the trio’s stripped-down simplicity, nothing is lacking, and everything is crystal clear. Baptiste Herbin reveals himself to be exceptionally profound. His incomparable virtuosity gives way to an expression liberated from all artifice, revealing, like a rough diamond, the essence of the music. We then rediscover, in awe, Django’s work in a new, authentic, collective, and continually stimulating incarnation. Under his guidance, Baptiste Herbin himself becomes a master and soars to heights of inspiration frequented by the greatest. Django! It reveals an artist at the peak of his art, and celebrates the birth of an exceptional trio.”