jazzahead! Trade fair & festival 2024 opens

Yesterday the start of the 18th edition of jazzahead! is taking place in Bremen from 11 to 14 April. One of its first highlights was a well-attended opening ceremony with several performances by musicians from the 2024 partner country the Netherlands and representatives of the focus theme „Jazz from Africa“.

Götz Bühler, Artistic Advisor of jazzahead!, was in his familiar role as presenter of the lively programme and also expressed succintly what jazz from the Netherlands means and what an important political message this music conveys. 

„For me, contemporary jazz represents the progressive nature of humanity: jazz advocates openness and encourages curiosity in a society where people are becoming more and more restricted, day by day. I see jazz as an exciting place, a space for free-flowing ideas and experimentation,“ said Viktorien van Hulst (Director Performing Arts Fund NL) in her welcoming speech.

Hans Peter Schneider, Managing Director of M3B GmbH, and Kai Stührenberg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, welcomed the substantial audience. Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth gave an address by video message which was enthusiastically received: „We see jazz as a living part of our culture and our society, as a prime example of tolerance and openness.“

The festival offers a total of 120 concerts. A final highlight is the gala concert on Saturday evening. The internationally renowned Dutch youth jazz orchestra NJJO (Nationaal Jeugd Jazz Orkest), conducted by star trumpeter Maite Hontelé, will perform in the large concert hall of the Congress Centre Bremen with two real „special guests“: Ramón Valle and Ronald Snijders. Guests at the opening ceremony were given a first taste of the Gala Concert.

Tickets for all festival events are available at the advance booking offices, by calling +49 421 – 36 36 36, from Nordwest Ticket via its own webshop, at all advance booking offices and at the box offices of the participating venues. Further information can be found under „Get your tickets“ at www.jazzahead.de.

Further press and photo material can be found in our digital press kit:
Cloud access data: https://cloud.m3b-bremen.de/s/CrLAFApcXNcATMm
Password: Jazzahead!_2024

With best regards

MESSE BREMEN/M3B GmbH
Press jazzahead!
E-mail: presse@messe-bremen.de