Michael Kissinger is the Founder & Artistic Director of the Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival. Since 1998, the Festival has attracted visitors from 23 states, Canada, China, Japan, and Europe. Jazz and Blues legends ranging from Al Jarreau to WAR have performed at the Festival. It is the largest festival of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and features internationally acclaimed jazz and blues musicians; fine artists from Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho; more than 200 wines; and local restaurants and commercial exhibitors. Sponsors range from Fortune 500 companies such as Alaska Airlines, Boeing, and Comcast to major corporations in the Northwest such as Entek, Evergreen Home Loans, Vancouver Toyota, and Waste Connections.
The Dubrovnik International Wine & Jazz Festival is located in Dubrovnik, Croatia, known to visitors from around the world as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Artistic Director Michael Kissinger founded the Festival in 2011 with his wife, pianist and conductor Maria Manzo. The Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Kissinger, performs with jazz artists to create a unique experience for audiences in the beautiful Rector's Palace concert hall, located in the Old City of Dubrovnik. Guest artists have included 2-time Grammy winner Diane Schuur, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, and Pianist Maria Manzo; the NATO Jazz Band from Brussels, Belgium; the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Jazz Band from Washington, D.C. and Broadway baritone Douglas Webster.
MICHAEL KISSINGER - CONDUCTOR / CLARINETIST / COMPOSER