Leipziger Jazztage Celebrates 50 Years with Star-Studded Lineup
In October 2025, the Leipziger Jazztage will mark its 50th anniversary, establishing itself as one of the premier jazz festivals in Europe. Originating in 1976 at a small cinema and the Moritzbastei during the era of the German Democratic Republic, it has evolved into a significant venue for improvised music. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will serve as the festival's patron. After facing challenges from the Stasi, the event relocated to the Leipzig Opera in 1991. Plans are underway for a dedicated venue at Gottschedstraße 16, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027, pending approval. The 2025 lineup includes over a hundred artists, featuring the Globe Unity Orchestra on October 17 and Jason Moran on October 21. Tickets will be available in September, alongside the release of Anna Schmidt's documentary, 'Being Hipp – First Lady of European Jazz.'
Key facts
- Leipziger Jazztage celebrates its 50th anniversary in October 2025.
- German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is the patron for this edition.
- The festival began in 1976 in a small cinema and the Moritzbastei student club.
- It moved to the Kongresshalle in 1978 and to the Leipzig Opera in 1991.
- Future home: Gottschedstraße 16, pending city approval, construction possibly in 2027.
- The 2025 program includes over 100 musicians at venues like the Leipzig Opera, Schauspiel Leipzig, St. Thomas Church, and UT Connewitz.
- Globe Unity Orchestra performs on October 17 for its 60th anniversary.
- Jason Moran performs a solo tribute to Duke Ellington on October 21 at St. Thomas Church.
- Sun-Mi Hong, winner of the 2025 Paul Acket Prize, performs in trio with Brandon López and Mat Maneri.
- A pre-festival concert on October 9 features six jazz musicians from Leipzig and Paris.
- Special project 'Jazz im Ohr' is a sound walk through historic concert halls.
- Tickets go on sale in September at jazzclub-leipzig.de.
Entities
Artists
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier
- Sam Wooding
- Josephine Baker
- Jutta Hipp
- Anna Schmidt
- Conny Bauer
- Alexander von Schlippenbach
- Jason Moran
- Duke Ellington
- Johann Sebastian Bach
- Norma Winstone
- Kit Downes
- Bill Frisell
- Hamid Drake
- Kalle Kalima
- Charlie Hunter
- Ella Feingold
- Sun-Mi Hong
- Brandon López
- Mat Maneri
Institutions
- Leipziger Jazztage
- Jazzclub Leipzig
- Leipzig Opera
- Schauspiel Leipzig
- St. Thomas Church
- UT Connewitz
- Schaubühne Lindenfels
- Kulturnhalle
- Globe Unity Orchestra
- Bill Frisell Trio
- Moritzbastei
- Kongresshalle
- Stasi
- masdearte
Locations
- Leipzig
- Germany
- Berlin
- Hamburg
- Munich
- New York
- United States
- Japan
- Poland
- Amsterdam
- Paris
- Iceland