iT'Z Jazz Festival Coburg

From Coburg Jazznight to iT'Z Jazz Festival

The Coburg jazz scene has a tradition that goes far beyond the usual for a German medium-sized town. Today's iT'Z Jazz Festival evolved from the 'Coburg Jazznight' — originally a one-day event that the association Coburg Jazz e.V. has expanded into a multi-day festival since 2011. Today, iT'Z Jazz is the most important jazz festival in Upper Franconia and one of the most dynamic dates in the Franconian jazz calendar.

Three Venues — Three Atmospheres

The festival uses three characteristic venues in the city: the Kulturfabrik Cortendorf — a former industrial site, now a cultural and concert hall for rock-oriented concerts; the Globe Coburg — the city's independent theater stage for medium-sized concerts; and the Riesensaal of Ehrenburg Castle — the gilded ballroom of the historic Coburg residence for highlight concerts with classical-influenced jazz crossover programs. This three-venue logic gives each concert stage its own atmosphere.

International Line-up — From Simon Oslender to Ida Nielsen

The 2026 lineup combines established German pianists with international funk and fusion stars: Simon Oslender Trio with Special Guest Bruno Müller on June 11; Jakob Manz 'Groove Connection' on June 12; former Prince bassist Ida Nielsen & The Funkbots on June 13; local finale on June 14 with the Coburg choir 'Unerhört!' and the Big Band of the Coburg University of Applied Sciences. Previous editions brought artists like Salvador Sobral, Thomas Quasthoff, and Rüdiger Baldauf to Coburg — a curation line of high caliber.

Educational Program in Schools

In parallel to the concerts, Coburg Jazz e.V. organizes an educational program in Coburg schools — workshops, school concerts, master classes with the invited artists. This makes the iT'Z Jazz Festival not just a concert series, but an active contribution to musical education in the city and district of Coburg.

Coburg — Residence Town with Jazz Ambition

Coburg, a former ducal residence and now home to the Coburg University of Applied Sciences, has an exceptionally rich cultural life despite its size (approx. 41,000 inhabitants) — State Theater, Globe, collections at Veste Coburg, Kunsthalle. The Jazz Festival complements this position and is proof that even a medium-sized town in Middle Franconia can establish international jazz art when a volunteer support association and municipal support work together.