The Festival started in 2003 mainly with Greek groups and ended up the coming years to accommodate the most promising names in European jazz and beyond. Names such as Jef Neve from Belgium, Benni Chawes from Denmark or Greek-Danish Veronica Mortensen and many others that participated in the Preveza Jazz Festival excel today in the international jazz scene.

The Festival is held under the auspices of the Regional Unit of the Municipality of Preveza, who supports it as an important cultural institution that unites the diverse musical traditions of European countries and which can be a powerful attraction for cultural tourism in the region.
The Festival is one of the few in Greece and all across western Greece with an international character.

The Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Denmark, Latvia, Hungary are among the countries that have participated in the Festival. All the musicians and groups represent their respective countries and the event is held under the auspices of embassies and their institutes.
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There is also a significant collaboration with the Municipality of Athens which organizes at the same period the European Jazz Festival and the corresponding groups that perform in Preveza perform also in Athens.