Bremen’s Jazzahead! music expo and trade fair, slated for April 11 to 13, 2024, promises a vibrant celebration of jazz with the announcement of renowned Dutch trumpeter Maite Hontelé headlining the Gala Concert. Accompanied by the Dutch Youth Jazz Orchestra (NJJO), the Gala Concert is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 8 pm in the Hansesaal of Congress Centrum, Bremen.
Maite Hontelé, a sought-after jazz artist of her generation, returns to Bremen after her acclaimed performance in 2016 as part of the ‘Overseas Night’ for Colombia. Having lived in Colombia between 2009 and 2018, Hontelé has garnered international acclaim, touring globally with her Colombian band. Her album Déjame Asi with singer Oscar D’Léon and the 2019 release Cuba Linda both received Latin Grammy Award nominations.
The 18th edition of Jazzahead! takes a bold step with the theme ‘New Horizons,’ with the Netherlands as the designated partner country. Sybille Kornitschky, CEO of Jazzahead!, expresses the goal to engage a younger audience, emphasizing a dynamic and danceable experience. The Gala Concert, breaking from tradition, will offer a more interactive setting, departing from a fully seated arrangement.
Newly appointed Artistic Advisor Götz Bühler applauds Hontelé’s ability to connect with younger audiences, underscoring the Netherlands’ vibrant jazz scene. Reflecting the ‘New Horizons’ theme, Jazzahead! 2024 seeks to present an innovative and diverse program, welcoming submissions from musicians and bands worldwide, prioritizing quality and individuality.
In a pioneering move, Jazzahead! 2024 will introduce a central theme, initiating a sustainable cultural exchange with the Global South. This initiative aims to showcase outstanding jazz discoveries from the African continent live at the trade fair for the next three years. Bühler envisions a platform that not only highlights established artists but also fosters new and thrilling projects, contributing to the global recognition of musicians from the Global South.
2024, anticipating a cutting-edge program that continues the event’s tradition of presenting jazz’s most compelling artists and projects from around the world.
