North Sea Jazz Festival

The North Sea Jazz Festival is an exceptional annual event that jazz enthusiasts should not miss. It takes place every second weekend in July in the Netherlands, specifically at the Ahoy Convention Centre in Rotterdam. Originally held in The Hague, the festival relocated to Rotterdam in 2006 following the demolition of the old Statenhal venue. Since November 3, 2017, the event has been officially named the NN North Sea Jazz Festival.

The festival was conceived by Paul Acket, a businessman and jazz aficionado who invested proceeds from selling his pop magazine publishing company to establish this remarkable event. The inaugural festival took place in 1976 and featured legendary artists such as Count Basie, Miles Davis, and Sarah Vaughan.

Today, the festival has expanded significantly. It features fifteen stages, hosts 1,200 musicians, and attracts approximately 25,000 visitors each day. The festival presents a diverse range of jazz genres, including New Orleans jazz, swing, fusion, blues, gospel, funk, soul, and even drum and bass. It is widely recognized as the largest indoor jazz festival in the world.

The festival also serves as a venue for prestigious awards such as the Edison Jazz Awards and the Bird Awards. In 1990, it extended its offerings to include two sub-festivals: North Sea Jazz Heats, a free event held in pubs around The Hague, and the exclusive Midsummer Jazz Gala, which has featured eminent artists like Tony Bennett and Herbie Hancock. Over the years, many notable performers have graced the festival's stages, including the unforgettable Amy Winehouse in 2004.

For those who love jazz, the NN North Sea Jazz Festival is a must-attend event that promises a rich and varied musical experience.