Jazzahead! 2026 Opens with 38 Artists and Big Bands in Bremen

Jazzahead! 2026, the 20th edition of this hybrid trade fair, conference, and showcase festival, runs from April 22 to 25 in Bremen and the surrounding region, including Bremerhaven. The grand opening on April 22 in Hall 7 of Messe Bremen features the Norrbotten Big Band from partner country Sweden alongside the American electro-new-jazz-funk duo KNOWER, comprising Louis Cole and Genevieve Artadi. Artistic director Götz Bühler emphasizes jazz's tradition of innovation and openness, noting Sweden's overdue selection as partner country due to its vital, independent scene from Jan Johansson to Mats Gustafsson. Showcases, accessible to all jazz fans, present up to 45-minute short concerts by 38 artists and bands from Germany, Europe, overseas/Africa, with eight from Sweden. Swedish pianist and composer Britta Virves will set a record by performing nine concerts over four days. The legendary Clubnight on April 24 brings over 100 acts across jazz, rock, electronica, and soul to venues like clubs, museums, churches, bars, hotel lounges, and ships, highlighted by a 'Swedish Night' with the Emil Brandqvist Trio. The event concludes on the evening of April 25 with the German Jazz Prize award ceremony.