The buzz of anticipation is building for jazzahead!, as organisers unveil 38 showcase concerts set to take place from 23 to 25 April 2026 in Bremen, Germany. The newly confirmed programme will spotlight artists from over 20 countries, performing for thousands of industry delegates and music buyers attending the international trade fair.
Competition for the eight German showcase slots reached record levels, with 175 band applications submitted — an 82% increase on the previous year. Across the full event, 821 acts from 43 countries applied to play, reflecting a 35% rise overall. Jazz selectors were faced with an unprecedented surge of interest, underscoring the growing importance of live performance in a market where touring, discovery and festival bookings now outweigh traditional release cycles.
Götz Bühler, jazzahead!’s representative across all five juries, confirmed the final list was chosen by a panel of 30 international curators and event programmers, guided only by core principles of gender parity, diversity and territorial balance rather than genre. As a result, the 2026 line-up spans a striking mix: Latin, hip-hop, funk, metal, electronica, chanson and experimental music will fill the twin stages of Hall 7 and nearby cultural venue Schlachthof.
Partner country Sweden played a central role in selections, with Malmö venue director Edin Bahtijaragic joining the seven-person national jury. He named Stockholm quintet Langendorf United as his personal pick, praising its international potential. Led by saxophonist Lina Langendorf, the band blends “funkified, psychedelic Ethio-jazz fusion” inspired by extensive time in Mali and Ethiopia.
Two leading lights of the UK jazz scene will perform with trumpeter Laura Jurd and saxophonist Jasmine Myra among the selected showcase artists. Other standout selections include Swiss bassist and vocalist Louise Knobil, whose French-language trio — known as Knobil — veers confidently from post-bop into ‘glitter jazz’. Africa remains a key focus for the fair, which continues its Jazz from Africa initiative. In 2026, audiences will discover Senegalese and South African showcase acts, while Togo’s debut applicant Kossi Mawun looks poised for breakout attention. Influenced by Art Blakey and fresh from supporting Makaya McCraven, his project fuses West African percussion, voodoo rhythm and modern jazz.
Berlin-based singer Sorvina further reflects the widening definition of German jazz. Raised in New York, her gospel-rooted quintet folds in neo-soul and rap, representing a bridge between jazz and the mainstream European live circuit.
In parallel, all 38 acts have now been registered on sustainability initiative CooProg Music, which integrates with the new Green Touring platform. The open-source system aims to create cleaner, more efficient European tour networks, allowing bookers to coordinate multi-country runs with reduced ecological impact and improved financial viability.
The full showcase list is as follows:
Swedish Showcases
Agnas Bros. (SE)
Bitoi (SE)
Britta Virves Trio (SE)
Daniel Karlsson Trio (SE)
Hederosgruppen (SE)
Joel Lyssarides Trio (SE)
Langendorf United (SE)
Nine Sparks Riots (SE)
German Jazz Expo
Àbáse (DE) Bonsai (DE)
CRUTCHES (DE)
Sara Decker – Expand (DE)Kristina Brodersen – KRISTINA4 (DE)
RE:CALAMARI (DE)
Richard Koch – Rays of Light (DE)
Sorvina (DE)
Overseas & Jazz from Africa Showcases
Jeremy Ledbetter Trio (CA)
Kossi Mawun (TG)
Malika Zarra (US/FR)
Michael Pipoquinha (BR)
SAHAD (SN)
Sharon Mansur Trio (IL)
Sydney Mavundla Quartet (ZA)
Tonina (US/UK/IT)
European Showcases
Aksel Rønning Trio (NO)
Anaïs Drago – Relevé (IT)
Jasmine Myra (UK)
Jure Pukl – Analog AI (SI/US/FR/DE)
KNOBIL (CH)
L’Antidote (FR/IT/AU)
Laura Jurd (UK)
Marco Centasso Um/Welt (IT/FR/TU)
N∆BOU (BE)
Nana Rashid (DK)
Peter Somuah Group (NL) Sol Jang Trio (NL)
Wajdi Riahi Trio (BE)
yvonne moriel :: sweetlife (AT)
For full details visit jazzahead.de
