The world’s biggest jazz festival unfolded in Ahoy, Rotterdam, a stage not only for the who’s who of jazz, but also the gospel, soul, R&B and Latin music scenes. There is a community feeling to the North Sea Jazz Festival, bringing together musicians from different generations and genre — traditional New Orleans jazz, swing, bop, free and avant-garde jazz — and thousands of fans from all corners of the world.

For three days in mid-July, musicians poured out their hearts in 297 performances, continuing a tradition dating back to 1976. It was an auspicious beginning at the Nederlands Congresgebouw in The Hague (Den Hag), with appearances by jazz legends such as Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz. The current venue, Ahoy, has hosted the event since 2006.  

The festival has gone from strength to strength because it not only features the big names, but also is a place where young talents get their chance to shine. It continues to showcase the past, present and future of jazz, uniting the generations in their love of good music.
 
— Text by Daniel Rembeth
Photos by Agus Setiawan Basuni

Popular

Hundreds of kitchens halt services due to 'pause' in free meals funds

Number of forcibly displaced people dips to 118 million: UN

Failed system, fake research