NEUJAZZ Festival, Nuremberg, Germany, line-up announced.

The NUEJAZZ Festival in Nuremberg is set to take place from October 23rd to November 11th, 2026, promising a program marked by its expansion in scope and variety. Since its inception in 2013, NUEJAZZ has evolved into a pivotal event on Germany’s jazz calendar, distinguished by its commitment to an inclusive and boundary-defying approach to jazz.

The festival’s origins trace back to a vacuum left by the conclusion of Jazz Ost-West, which prompted musicians Frank Wuppinger and Marco Kühnl to initiate a fresh platform. Their vision was clear: to redefine jazz not as a fixed genre confined to tradition but as a dynamic and evolving form embracing diverse influences and audiences.

Over thirteen years, NUEJAZZ has cultivated an environment where jazz intersects with a broad spectrum of styles, from acoustic to electronic, and from subtle to forceful expressions. The festival prides itself on creating a space where contrasting musical elements coexist, reflecting jazz’s inherent fluidity and capacity for innovation.

A hallmark of NUEJAZZ’s strategy has been its choice of venues. Departing from conventional jazz clubs, the festival inhabits vibrant urban cultural hubs such as DESI and Z-Bau in Nuremberg, as well as the Kulturwerkstatt Auf AEG, Heizhaus, and E-Werk in neighboring Erlangen. This deliberate positioning within the fabric of city nightlife and cultural activity has helped to attract a more varied and modern audience.

The 2026 edition is particularly notable for its thematic nod to two towering figures in jazz history: Miles Davis and John Coltrane, both of whom would celebrate their 100th birthdays that year. In homage, NUEJAZZ integrates their legacy into the festival’s programming through a variety of formats including a student competition, a literary exploration, and subsequent musical interpretations. These tributes underscore the festival’s ethos of keeping jazz heritage alive by continually reinterpreting it through contemporary lenses.

Musically, the festival emphasizes collaboration and cross-genre fertilization. Highlights include an interplay between violin and electronic music and a fusion of piano trio with rock elements. The presence of Bill Frisell, known for his expressive guitar minimalism, exemplifies the festival’s embrace of nuanced musicianship. The program also features a unique gathering of nine female trumpeters, alongside genres such as funk, hip-hop, soul, and gospel, illustrating NUEJAZZ’s commitment to genre-blending and social inclusivity.

Education and community engagement remain central to the festival’s mission. The European Jazz Companions Orchestra brings together emerging talents from Germany, France, and Denmark, while university sessions and open jam events foster dialogue and improvisation among young musicians and local artists. This focus on nurturing new generations alongside established performers reinforces the festival’s role as a living forum for jazz’s ongoing evolution.

NUEJAZZ also incorporates interdisciplinary elements, intertwining music with visual arts and design. Interactive programs for children combine live painting with sound experiences, further broadening the festival’s cultural reach and appeal.

The festival’s philosophy rejects the notion of jazz as a niche or relic, instead presenting it as an adaptable, boundary-crossing art form that thrives on exchange and transformation. By situating jazz amid contemporary urban culture and diverse artistic practices, NUEJAZZ champions a forward-looking vision that honors tradition while challenging conventions.

Tickets, detailed schedules, and venue information for NUEJAZZ 2026 are accessible through the festival’s official website. As the event prepares to celebrate its 14th year, it continues to assert itself as a significant incubator for jazz innovation and a vibrant meeting point for artists and audiences alike.