Hof Jazz Nights

Jazz, Dialogue, Internationality

The Hof Jazz Nights are a young, ambitious jazz festival in the Upper Franconian university city of Hof. The festival sees itself as a "vibrant forum for international jazz, cultural exchange, and musical education." Each year, the program features two intensive weeks of concerts, workshops, film evenings, and networking events. The motto: "Together for Jazz!"

Venues — KlangManufaktur and Freiheitshalle

The main venue is the KlangManufaktur of the Hofer Symphoniker — its own concert production facility with excellent acoustics in the heart of Hof. Larger acts, such as the finale concert for International Jazz Day, take place in the Freiheitshalle Hof, the largest event venue in the region. Additionally, workshops and smaller concerts are held at the Bürgergesellschaft Hof.

International Program

The festival thrives on its international programming. Regularly featured are jazz scenes from Germany, Poland (programmatic focus "Jazz auf Polnisch" — Jazz in Polish), the Netherlands (cooperation with UMAX — Utrecht Musical Experiments), and Latin America. The spectrum ranges from modern piano trios and experimental quintets to salsa Latin big bands. The Hof Jazz Nights place special emphasis on nurturing emerging talent — young artists share the stage equally with established stars.

Big Bands and International Jazz Day

Hallmarks of the festival include the Big Band Workshop Weekend with Hof schools and the Karin Schöpf Foundation, culminating in a joint concert with guest instructors, as well as the Finale Concert for International Jazz Day on April 30th. The latter is regularly the festival's highlight, featuring Latin big bands and international soloists.

Hof in Upper Franconia

Hof is located in the extreme northeast of Bavaria, right on the border with Thuringia and Saxony. The city is a renowned cultural hub — home to the Hofer Symphoniker, the International Hof Film Festival, and the Hof University of Applied Sciences. The Hof Jazz Nights complement this cultural profile with jazz-specific programs that become more international year by year.