This weekend, 9, 10 and 11 July, all jazz lovers can indulge in their favourite jazz genre at the North Sea Jazz’s 35th edition in Ahoy, Rotterdam.

The 2010 edition boasts of a diverse program with 150 scheduled performances. Jazz legends Dave Holland, Ron Carter and Bob Brookmeyer are among the big names that will be making their appearances. Super stars Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Ben Harper (pictured right), Norah Jones, Joss Stone and Corinne Bailey Rae, Macy Gray (pictured below left), Earth, Wind and Fire among others will dazzle the audiences with their phenomenal music.

Dutch talents representing the Netherlands are the sultry Caro Emerald of the hit “A Night Like This” fast dominating the radio airwaves these days; Waylon, Eric Vloeimans, Giovanca and Typhoon & New Cool Collective among others. The Dutch jazz major leagues are Jesse van Ruller and Michiel Braam and New York-based Ben van Gelder.

America’s top contemporary soul icon Stevie Wonder will perform on Sunday, 11 July and the legendary Quincy Jones will make a special guest appearance as the recipient of the Paul Acket “Special Appreciation Award” on the same day.

Paul Acket was the founder of the three-day jazz festival. He was a businessman and jazz lover who made his fortune in the sixties with his pop magazine publishing company. He dreamed of presenting different varieties of jazz to the public and the first edition of the North Sea Jazz was born in 1976.

The Paul Acket award is bestowed to the person who has made his mark in the realm of jazz, in the broadest sense of the genre. Quincy Jones has made an indelible contribution to the music industry as a composer, producer, artist and bandleader. He is an expert in bringing together different musical genres from hip-hop to jazz, African and Brazilian beats among others.

The North Sea Jazz is widely acclaimed as the largest indoor festival in the world with fifteen stages, 1200 artists and visitor traffic of twenty-five thousand per day. Genres span from traditional New Orleans jazz, swing, blues, gospel, funk, soul, electronic, bop, world beat, Latin and drum and bass.

Over the years, the festival has earned a strong reputation of showcasing a broad range of musical talents from international stars to rising musicians trying to make a name for themselves in the industry, thus making it as the best jazz festival in Europe.

And of course, a great screen has been set up in the venue as well on Sunday, 11 July for the World Cup finals for jazz and football fans alike.

Festival visitors are allowed to take pictures during performances with miniature cameras. Professional photo, film and recording equipment are restricted to accredited press photographers only.

Please visit the North Sea Jazz website for the complete concert program listing and timetables.

Melinda Roos

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