Jazzahead! preview

The Jazzahead! Festival and world-renowned music industry trade fair has announced its impressive lineup, with 38 concerts across the town of Bremen, north Germany, from 23 to 25 April.

To appear, artists must apply to the Jazzahead! organisers and an international jury and in 2026 there is a specific focus on artists from this year’s host country, Sweden. There will also be artists from across Europe, as well as Senegal, South Africa and Togo, Brazil, Canada, the USA and Israel.

There are plenty of acts that I’ve encountered before, but lots to discover and I’m looking forward to being a part of this year’s events.

The showcase festival will open on Thursday, 23 April at 2 p.m. with a 30-minute concert by the Joel Lyssarides Trio from Sweden It was good to chat with Joel during 2024 for Harmonious World.

I’m delighted that trumpeter Laura Jurd is also scheduled to appear. Her mature sound as an instrumentalist is matched by her approach to production, as we heard on the new album from Fergus McCreadie - The Shieling.

Another must for me is the jazzahead! focus ‘Jazz from Africa’, presenting one band from the continent every day from Thursday to Saturday.

It’s going to be a busy few days and I’m looking forward to interviewing and reviewing some of these amazing acts.