About Jazzfest Berlin

Founded in 1964 under the name Berliner Jazztage, the Berliner Festspiele’s jazz festival is one of Europe’s oldest and most internationally renowned festivals of its kind.

Following Joachim-Ernst Berendt (1964–1972), George Gruntz (1973–1994), Albert Mangelsdorff (1995–2000), Nils Landgren (2001, 2008–2011), John Corbett (2002), Peter Schulze (2003–2007), Bert Noglik (2012–2014), and Richard Williams (2015–2017), curator Nadin Deventer has handled the artistic direction of Jazzfest Berlin since 2018.

While the early decades of the festival were dominated by influential and popular jazz greats from the United States, Jazzfest Berlin now presents acts from all over the world, with an increasing focus on contemporary avant-garde jazz.

The Haus der Berliner Festspiele, a theatre building with approximately 1,000 seats, is the hub of musical activity – with most performances selling out. The radio programmes of public broadcasters ARD and Deutschlandradio also document the musical festivities through a series of live concert recordings, contributing significantly to Jazzfest Berlin’s success.

Every year, over 100 journalists on site report for national and international media, reflecting the festival’s global reach and impact.

Since 2023, Jazzfest Berlin has also been involved in music education for children and teenagers. Alongside and intertwined with the concert programme, cooperative, participatory community and outreach projects bring together numerous international artists from a wide range of fields as well as various partner organisations and initiatives from Berlin’s cultural scene and civil society.

In 2021, Jazzfest Berlin won the Europe Jazz Network’s tenth EJNAwardfor Adventurous Programming. A six-member international jury of artists and music professionals made the decision among 16 other festivals, clubs, and concert venues, which were nominated by over 160 EJN member organisations from 34 different countries.