European Jazz Conference Köln

European Jazz Conference — Europe's most important jazz industry meeting

If you work in Europe's professional jazz scene — as a festival organizer, club owner, booking agent, music educator, record label manager, or artist — you know the European Jazz Conference (EJC). The annual conference of the Europe Jazz Network (EJN) is Europe's most important industry meeting for the jazz world — four days where over 200 jazz organizations from 38 countries come together, build networks, discuss trends, and negotiate the strategic future of European jazz.

First time in Germany — Cologne makes history

The 12th edition in 2026 is a historic milestone: for the first time in its twelve-year history, the EJC will take place in Germany. Cologne, with its dense jazz ecosystem (Stadtgarten, Cologne Jazzweek, Monheim Triennale, Klaeng label, WDR Big Band, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz), is the natural location. The bid was years in the making — awarding it to Cologne in 2026 is recognition of the German jazz scene as a central European player.

Date and Format 2026

The EJC 2026 runs from Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, September 27, 2026. Four days of conference programming with two parallel components:

• Professional Conference for industry representatives (closed participant circle) with panels, workshops, plenary sessions, networking sessions
• Showcase Festival with live concerts — open to the public

13 Projects from the German Jazz Scene

In the showcase festival, 13 selected projects from the current German jazz scene will be presented to the international professional audience — extremely valuable visibility for the selected artists, as festival organizers from all over Europe often book them immediately afterward. The selection includes 'some of the most exciting current voices in German jazz' — the exact list will be curated by Stadtgarten Köln in coordination with EJN.

Keynote by Alexander Hawkins

The main speaker (keynote) for the conference is Alexander Hawkins — a British jazz pianist and composer, one of the most influential voices in the European jazz scene of the last decade. Hawkins combines free jazz, classical composition, African rhythms, and improvisational sound research in his work. His keynote is expected to help shape the conference's aesthetic and political compass.

Three Venues in Cologne

The EJC 2026 will use three venues in Cologne's western Belgian Quarter:

• Stadtgarten Köln (Venloer Str. 40) — main venue, home of the Cologne jazz concert organizer, a classic concert hall with approx. 400 seats
• Loft — an independent jazz club with an intimate atmosphere
• Sartory Säle — historic event halls in the city center for large formats and plenary sessions

EJN Awards 2026 — Recognition for Programming

A highlight of every EJC year are the EJN Awards — awards for outstanding contributions to the European jazz scene. These include the EJN Award for Adventurous Programming (for festival organizers who curate boldly) and special awards for innovation and diversity. The 2026 Awards will be presented at a celebratory gala event.

'Who We Are, What We Stand For' — the 2026 Theme

The theme of the 2026 conference is 'Who We Are, What We Stand For' — a self-examination by the European jazz scene about its own identity, values, and social responsibility. Panels will discuss, among other things:

• Artificial Intelligence and Culture — the impact of AI on music production, composition, and copyright
• Democratic Resilience — the role of jazz in times of populist movements
• Diversity and Inclusion — representation of marginalized voices
• Climate Crisis and Festival Practice — sustainable concert and tour organization
• Social Dialogue — jazz as a medium for intercultural exchange

Partners — Cologne Jazzweek, Monheim Triennale

The EJC 2026 is organized by Stadtgarten Köln in close cooperation with Cologne Jazzweek (Cologne Jazz Festival Week), the Monheim Triennale (avant-garde festival in Monheim am Rhein), and the Europe Jazz Network (EJN). This strong partnership constellation bundles NRW's jazz expertise and makes the conference a showcase event for the Rhine jazz scene.