22-25 April 2026

A woman in a light dress stands on a sidewalk next to a road, holding up a handmade sign that reads, Honk if you like big band music!!! Cars drive by in the background, and musical notes decorate the sign.

Grand Opening

22 April 2026

jazzahead! kicks off with a bang – and a unique evening with the Norrbotten Big Band, known for its genre-busting collaborations. Sweden’s most innovative large jazz ensemble will open the trade fair and festival on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. in Hall 7 of the Bremen Exhibition Center.

 

The Grand Opening program includes performances by the acclaimed US band KNOWER (Louis Cole & Genevieve Artadi). The musical richness of this year’s partner country, Sweden, will also be showcased by saxophonist Fredrik Ljungkvist and singer Josefine Cronholm. Other Swedish soloists will also be performing. More info to be coming soon.

A woman in a bright green dress plays the saxophone on stage, accompanied by two men, one playing a double bass and the other playing drums, with microphones and blurred lights in the foreground.
Two people pose and smile at an indoor event. One wears a white durag, large sunglasses, and a striped hoodie; the other wears a blue beanie, teal glasses, and a light blue hoodie. People and booths are in the background.

Get your tickets now!

Be part of the international gala as jazzahead! 2026 kicks off with Partner Country Sweden. Tickets are limited – don’t miss out!


For participants of jazzahead! 2026 access to the Grand Opening is included in the registration. But due to limited capacities we’ll send out information on how to secure one of the free tickets in January. Stay tuned!