Press Release: 12th European Jazz Conference 2026 – Europe's Creative Music Scene Gathers in Cologne

The 12th European Jazz Conference (EJC) concluded on Sunday, 27 September. The annual gathering of the Europe Jazz Network took place in Germany for the first time. Stadtgarten Köln, Cologne Jazzweek and Monheim Triennale hosted the conference in Cologne in cooperation with EJN. A total of 440 delegates from 38 countries came together to discuss the future of jazz and the role of those who shape it.

Values, Responsibility and International Connections

Under the title “Who We Are, What We Stand For,” the conference explored the values, responsibilities and prospects of the European jazz scene through a range of talks, discussions and events. Key topics included social responsibility, international connections and the conditions in which jazz and improvised music are created, shared and presented today.

Showcase Programme Featuring 13 Groups from the German Jazz Scene

To give international delegates an insight into Germany’s contemporary music scene, the program featured showcases by 13 selected groups comprising 50 musicians based in Germany. Concerts took place at venues across Cologne, including Stadtgarten, Sartory-Saal and LOFT. WDR 3, the conference’s media partner, will broadcast many of the showcases as part of a nationwide ARD Jazz Night in spring 2027.

“I was delighted to see so many happy and relaxed faces among colleagues from around the world. The response was overwhelmingly positive,” says Reiner Michalke, founding director of Stadtgarten Köln and a founding member of the Europe Jazz Network. “We set out to learn from the experiences of past decades and focus on a high-quality showcase programme with venues close to one another.”

Cologne on the International Jazz Map

The conference also gave Cologne’s jazz scene an opportunity to reflect on its place in an international context. Janning Trumann, artistic director of Cologne Jazzweek, says: “September has shown just how strong Cologne’s jazz scene is and how far its reach extends internationally. The 40th anniversary of Stadtgarten, a successful Cologne Jazzweek and now the European Jazz Conference have brought three major events to the city. They reflect a vibrant scene that has grown over many years and show how firmly Cologne is now established in the international jazz community.”

Awards Recognising Outstanding Work

Several awards were presented during the conference. The EJN Award for Adventurous Programming went to Südtirol Jazzfestival Alto Adige. The Ukrainian initiative Victory Beats, which develops music programmes for people injured in the war and for veterans, received the EJN Award for Music & Community. The inaugural Ukrainian Jazz Prize, presented in partnership with the Ukrainian Institute, went to Hyphen Dash from Kyiv. The four-piece ensemble also performed live.

Kornelia Vossebein, artistic director of Stadtgarten Köln, says: “Younger colleagues in particular, many of whom were visiting Cologne and Stadtgarten for the first time, were excited to discover that a venue like this exists in the heart of Europe. Across the different stages in the building, we were able to show how contemporary music can be presented today.”

Four Days of Exchange, Music and International Encounters

The 12th European Jazz Conference strengthened international exchange while highlighting the diversity and creative energy of the German and European jazz and improvised music scenes. Its extensive conference and showcase programme brought together people from 38 countries and created space for discussion, new connections and future collaborations. Cologne proved to be a welcoming meeting place for a vibrant, supportive and forward-looking jazz community.

The next edition has already been announced: Alghero, Sardinia, will host the 13th European Jazz Conference in 2027.