Jazz

Not only in the southern states of America, where jazz once arose, is this genre a crowd puller. Even in Europe there are incredibly good and great jazz festivals in the meantime, at which the current masters bring jazz to a wider audience. And what could be better than listening to relaxed music on a balmy summer evening?! An introduction.

Xjazz Festival, Germany
The Xjazz Festival in Berlin is new to the squad of jazz festivals. Organized for the first time in 2014, it is aimed at jazz musicians across all genres who collaborate with artists from other styles such as electronic music or neo- classical music. There is always a specific partner country, from which artists preferably get invited. In 2015 it was Iceland.

Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival, England
This festival takes place in Birmingham and captivates through its idyllic and harmonious atmosphere. Located in a park, a lake in the background, on two stages not only jazz artists perform, but also artists from soul & funk.

Gent Jazz Festival, Belgium
On this festival preferably Belgian artist play, but occasionally also a few international jazz icons. For ten days in July a colourful jazz mix is ​​offered. The program is accompanied by daily relaxed jazz lunch concerts at the Grand Hotel Reylof in Ghent.

Festival Django Reinhardt, France
Who is familiar with the name of this festival is right: Named after the Belgian guitarist and composer Jean "Django" Reinhardt, the founder of European jazz movement, this festival takes place every year on the last weekend of June since 1984. Here especially the styles gypsy jazz and jazz manouche are played.

Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland
Of course, the second largest jazz festival in the world, but the largest in Europe, should not be missed. International jazz enthusiasts and celebrities of rock and pop celebrate their music two-week long in Montreux. Besides the big concerts of the stars, the festival also tries to offer a platform for lesser-known artists in form of a Montreux Jazz Cafès.