Nato’s big band Shape International will round off the international jazz festival in the Bulgarian mountain town of Bansko.

A total of 15 professional military musicians from Estonia, Italy and the US will perform the best of 1940s classic jazz, netinfo.bg reported.

In 1983, Nato’s commander-in-chief in Europe decided to form an orchestra to perform at official ceremonies. Nato countries donated instruments and funds to the orchestra.

By the end of 1984, made up of more than 30 volunteers, the orchestra had done more than 30 concerts.

The orchestra was decreed Nato’s official musical representative in 1985. The band currently consists of three main groups which have participated in prestigious events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Bansko Jazz Festival is to tour Bulgaria for the first time of its history. It will bring together musicians from 16 counties and 36 nationalities.