On the Whitsun weekend, from May 26 to 28, 2023, more than twenty national and international jazz greats, up-and-coming newcomers and seasoned local heroes will take to the microphones on four stages over three days and conjure up an unmistakable live atmosphere in the streets and squares. In the premises of Vereinigte Volksbank-Raiffeisenbank eG (VVR-Bank), Lord Mayor Frank Frühauf and Head of Cultural Affairs Annette Strohm have now presented the program for this year's festival.
Erik Gregori, Co-Chairman of the VVR Bank, emphasized that his bank is happy to support and help promote the Jazz Days. After all, Willi Hunsinger, one of his predecessors, was one of the co-founders of the festival together with the then Lord Mayor Otto Dickenschied. Mayor Frühauf immediately echoed this statement and thanked the sponsors - in addition to the VVR Bank, these are OIE AG, Schwollener Sprudel, Kirner Privatbrauerei and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate - for their support. "Without this commitment, we would not be able to hold this event." Frühauf described the Jazz Days as a highlight in the town's calendar of events. "With our cultural program, we don't have to hide from other cities; visitors come from far and wide to Idar-Oberstein, especially for the Jazz Days."
More than 20 bands of various styles
Culture officer Annette Strohm then presented the more than 20 groups and projects at this year's jazz festival. "This year, the Golden Swing Big Band will kick off the festival on Schleiferplatz for the first time," said Strohm. Although the local heroes are always represented at the Jazztage, they have never performed at the opening before. This time, the band will be joined by singer Julia Oschewsky. The artist, who lives in Bingen, completed her vocal training in New York and Amsterdam, among other places. "This promises to be a very lively start to the Jazz Days," emphasized the cultural officer. With artists and formations such as Rebekka Bakken and Band, the British Mammal Hands, RSxT feat. Myles Sanko & Joo Kraus, the Elina Duni & Rob Luft Group and the Omer Klein Trio, this year's line-up includes big names from the international jazz scene. But the rest of the line-up is also impressive, including Chacán with live salsa music, Friend `n Fellow with blues & soul, The Bluesanovas with 21st Century Blues, RasgaRasga with global pop and many more. "With the top-class program, which leaves nothing to be desired, we want to build on the great success of the anniversary year 2022." In addition to a great program, Annette Strohm of course needs employees who are on board. "And that's why I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team for their great commitment."
Jazztage crowns to promote the festival
Despite the support from the sponsors, the fees for so many bands and the costs for the necessary infrastructure and technology naturally leave a large amount of funding in the municipal budget. "However, we are still not charging admission. This is also important to us so that the entire city community can attend the Jazz Days," emphasized cultural officer Strohm. Nevertheless, all visitors can make a voluntary contribution to refinancing the festival. Sabrina Reidenbach, an employee of the Cultural Office, explained how. Due to a lack of sustainability, the previous sponsorship buttons were phased out a few years ago and since then there has been a lack of an adequate successor product. "During my research, I came across the crown clusters by Idar-Oberstein master goldsmith and designer Maren Giloy. The setting in the form of a crown cork can be used for a wide variety of functions. In collaboration with the company Zinnhannes from Krummenau, the 'jazz crown' was developed for the festival, a high-quality pin with the current Jazztage logo. "The Jazz Crown is expected to be available from mid-May at various advance booking offices and, of course, during the festival for 10 euros," explained Reidenbach. They will then be a visible sign of solidarity and appreciation for the Jazztage. Unsold contingents can be converted and used next year.
Not a sure-fire success even after 26 years
A lot has also changed in the organization of the festival, as Timo Fewinger, who is also part of the Cultural Office team, reported. "Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many event providers have had to give up. These days, you have to book early to get people." However, stricter requirements and conditions for safety and infrastructure also need to be taken into account. "Even after so many years, the Jazz Days are not a sure-fire success, the requirements are constantly increasing." So it's good to be able to rely on tried and tested staff, such as the city's event technician Michael Anton, who is in charge of the PA. There will be one new feature from last year, namely the large stage on the market square. However, the courtyard stage will be removed, meaning that the same number of bands will now be spread across just four venues.
As always, all information about the Jazztage can be found on the Internet at www.kultur.io.