NN North Sea Jazz is the World’s biggest indoor music festival. This year, the festival will look to welcome Mary J Blige, Ezra Collective, Jorja Smith, Kamasi Washington and many more. Six-time Grammy winning Jacob Collier will be this year’s Artist in Residence and will perform a different show on all three days of the festival taking place July 11th, 12th, and 13th at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Centre
The Times has called NN North Sea Jazz “An epic party for which the UK has no equivalent.” This year’s event will feature a star-studded line-up of international talent alongside the most celebrated up-and-coming artists spanning jazz, blues, soul, pop, and more. Amongst the bevy of artists announced are an array of big hitters including the era-defining soul singer Mary J Blige, 4x Brit Award-nominated Ezra Collective, R&B star Jorja Smith, visionary US saxophonist Kamasi Washington, jazz vocal sensation Samara Joy, New Zealand born producer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jordan Rakei, neo-soul star Maxwell, powerhouse US vocalist Lady Blackbird, blues-rock guitar maestro Joe Bonamassa with the Metropole Orkest, world renowned sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar, retro soul outfit Thee Sacred Souls, soulful Uganda-born, UK-based singer-songwriter Victor Ray, one of the leading voices in Afrobeats music Omah Lay, and LA-based contemporary poet, writer, lyricist, and activist Aja Monet. Aforementioned Jacob Collier, the festival’s 2025 Artist in Residence. The six-time Grammy winner will perform across all three days, presenting unique and varied shows that reflect his dazzling musical versatility.
A selection of the biggest names in contemporary jazz will once again grace the North Sea stages with this year’s line-up featuring the likes of Immanuel Wilkins, Branford Marsalis, Julian Lage, Madeleine Peyroux, Lakecia Benjamin, Avishai Cohen’s Quartet, Jazzmeia Horn, Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets celebrating Weather Report, Lionel Hampton Big Band featuring Jason Marsalis, Tigran Hamasyan, and Ghost-Note.
Attracting around 80,000 music fans annually, the North Sea Jazz Festival has earned an unrivalled reputation since its debut in 1976, having hosted legendary artists over the years such as Miles Davis, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Amy Winehouse, and Adele to name but a few. This summer the festival will feature more than 1,000 musicians across 150 performances and 15 different stages. With Rotterdam just under an hour’s flight, a direct train from London St Pancras, or even a ferry trip from multiple UK locations, the North Sea Jazz Festival is easily accessible, making it an ideal weekend getaway.
Tickets for sale HERE
