Jazz in Gütersloh — Autumn Season 2026

Gütersloh — Industrial City with Cultural Ambitions

Gütersloh, with around 102,000 inhabitants, is the district town in the Gütersloh district in East Westphalia-Lippe. It is home to internationally renowned companies such as Bertelsmann, Miele, and Westfalia Automotive. Despite its industrial profile, the city has invested in an unusually strong cultural infrastructure for decades — Theater Gütersloh, City Library, City Museum, several concert halls. One of the most important cultural institutions is the jazz concert series Jazz in Gütersloh (JIG), which has been running continuously since 1981, making it one of the oldest jazz series in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Jazz in Gütersloh — Almost 45 Years of Concert Tradition

The Jazz in Gütersloh series was launched in 1981 — and has brought around 6–8 concerts to Theater Gütersloh per season ever since. The concept is clear: international jazz at a high level, with a mix of established stars and promising newcomers. The series is supported by the association Jazz in Gütersloh e.V. in cooperation with Theater Gütersloh — a constellation of voluntary commitment and professional event infrastructure that enables the high musical standard.

Four Autumn/Winter Concerts 2026

Thursday, October 15, 2026, 8:00 PM — Fuchsthone Orchestra

The season opens with the Fuchsthone Orchestra — a contemporary big band that plays "contemporary, visionary jazz": collective improvisation, award-winning soloists, compositionally sophisticated structures. The orchestra is considered one of the most exciting acts on the current German jazz scene.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 8:00 PM — Pablo Ziegler Trio

Argentinian pianist Pablo Ziegler comes with his trio: Nuevo Tango meets jazz improvisation. Ziegler was pianist in Astor Piazzolla's legendary quintet for years and has since carried the legacy of Nuevo Tango internationally. An "emotional concert experience of international renown".

Sunday, November 29, 2026, 8:00 PM — Shuteen Erdenebaatar & Nils Kugelmann „Under the Same Stars"

The unusual piano-clarinet duo, featuring Mongolian pianist Shuteen Erdenebaatar and German clarinetist Nils Kugelmann, presents their program "Under the Same Stars": a mix of jazz, classical, and film music that consciously dissolves genre boundaries.

Saturday, December 19, 2026, 8:00 PM — Jin Jim

The season concludes with Jin Jim, presented by the series as "rising stars of the German jazz scene". The band mixes jazz, Latin, rock, and progressive elements into an energetic, modern sound that particularly excites the younger jazz generation.

Theater Gütersloh — The Venue

All concerts take place at Theater Gütersloh — a modern theater building opened in 1997 at Friedrichstr. 10, with various halls and excellent acoustics. The jazz concerts are usually held in the Großer Saal (Main Hall) or the Studio — depending on the expected audience size and the act's acoustic requirements.

Season Subscriptions

Those who wish to attend all four autumn/winter concerts (or the entire season, including the spring concerts) can purchase a season subscription — cheaper than individual tickets and with guaranteed seats. Order via Theater Gütersloh ticketing.

Getting There and Practical Information

Theater Gütersloh is centrally located in the city center. Train: Gütersloh (Hbf) station, 10 min walk to the theater. Car: A 2 exit Gütersloh, then follow city center signs. Parking garages are in the immediate vicinity of the theater. Tickets via Theater Gütersloh — online or at the theater box office.