22-25 April 2026

A musician wearing a colorful shirt and cap plays an upright bass on stage, smiling, with a large GERMAN Jazz EXPO sign displayed in the background.

German Jazz Expo

Networking and Export Platform

Since 2012, all measures to improve the networking of the German jazz scene in Germany and beyond have been taken under the label German Jazz Expo. In addition to the eight showcase concerts, this includes a central trade fair presence, the German Market. The German Jazz Expo also includes other program content – e.g. panels or info sessions – especially related to the German jazz scene.

 

jazzahead! and the German Jazz Expo are funded by the Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

German Market

Our umbrella stand German Market is the meeting point of the German scene – for clubs and festival programmers, musicians, associations and interest groups. It is place to establish and encourage the general promotion of German jazz exports or individual concerns, such as the networking of federal and state activities in the music/jazz field.

People sit and talk at tables under a sign reading German Market in a busy indoor exhibition area, surrounded by plants, books, and display stands.
A person in a black jacket and hat looks through a stack of colorful vinyl records held in front of their face, with the records displayed in a row toward the camera.
Logo of Deutsche Jazzunion featuring three curved, crescent-shaped bands in orange, brown, and gray alongside the text Deutsche Jazzunion in brown on a white background.

Deutsche Jazzunion Special

Especially for the members of the German Jazz Union (Deutsche Jazzunion) jazzahead! offers registrations at a special discount:

  • €95.00 plus VAT for a three-day registration for jazzahead! 2026 or
  • €60.00 plus VAT for a one-day registration for jazzahead! 2026.

The special rate only applies for jazz musicians – not for supporting members like associations, institutions or companies.

Showcases from Germany

Of the 38 showcases at jazzahead!, eight are dedicated to bands from Germany.

A musician with a long red beard and sunglasses performs on stage, holding a unique string instrument, in front of a large screen displaying GERMAN Jazz EXPO.
Three adults are smiling and talking at an indoor event. One woman gestures while speaking to two men; all wear conference lanyards. The background is blurred with posters and other people visible.

Invitation Programme for International Organizers

As part of the German Jazz Expo, the export platform for Jazz made in Germany at jazzahead!, we are again inviting international organizers and programme makers to Bremen in 2026. Participants from this sector of the industry receive preferential conditions for participation and, depending on their origin, also a travel allowance.

 

If you are particularly interested in the German jazz scene or would like to recommend someone, who should be part of this programme, please contact Nina Thomann.

Contact Person

Nina Thomann

Nina Thomann

German Jazz Expo, Invitation Program
M3B GmbH
+49 (0)421 3505 529
thomann@jazzahead.de