Kasseler JazzFrühling
17th Edition – for the first time a month of jazz in Kassel, from Al Di Meola to Émile Parisien
About JazzFrühling
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From Concert Series to Month-Long Festival
The Kasseler JazzFrühling is one of the most remarkable jazz festivals in Middle and Northern Hesse. What began in 2010 as a smaller concert series at Theaterstübchen Kassel is now a festival of supra-regional importance. 2026 marks a turning point: for the first time, the festival will run for a whole month – from February 27th to March 28th, 2026. 17 festival days, spread over 30 calendar days, will take place across several venues in the city.
Open Concept of Jazz
Artistically, the festival works with an "open concept of jazz" that includes current European positions as well as the border areas to soul, fusion, pop, and improvised music. This curatorial line is clearly evident in the 2026 program: from fusion classic Al Di Meola to European saxophone innovator Émile Parisien, Swedish jazz singer Viktoria Tolstoy, German saxophone shooting star Jakob Manz, Austrian pianist David Helbock, and Swedish piano virtuoso Jacob Karlzon.
European Jazz Night to Open
The opening will be the European Jazz Night with Jakob Manz – a young German saxophonist who has been considered a European jazz hope in recent years. The festival will also feature song-oriented formats (including Matti Klein), an improvisation performance with the Volkswagen Soundorchestra, a tango reinterpretation by the Astor Piazzolla Quinteto, as well as funk and soul with the Black Dog Groove Society.
Four Venues in the City
Four Kassel venues are hosting the festival:
- Theaterstübchen Kassel – the city's intimate jazz living room, the festival's organizer's home
- Kulturzentrum Schlachthof – larger stage for headliner concerts
- Dock4 – industrial building at Kulturbahnhof, alternative atmosphere
- Staatstheater Kassel – large stage for the star acts (presumably for Al Di Meola)
Documenta City with a Jazz Ear
As the Documenta city, Kassel has a strong cultural scene; jazz has long been a niche format. With the JazzFrühling and its 17 festival evenings, Kassel is no longer an insider tip in March – jazz travelers from Frankfurt, Göttingen, Hanover, and even Berlin come for individual concerts.
JazzFrühling — edition 2026
Opening with the European Jazz Night (Jakob Manz). Further program pillars: song-oriented formats, improvisation with the Volkswagen Soundorchestra, tango reinterpretation by the Astor Piazzolla Quinteto, funk and soul by the Black Dog Groove Society.
Programme JazzFrühling 2026
Opening Night – Friday, February 27th, 2026
- European Jazz Night with Jakob Manz (Saxophone)
Festival Program (Feb 27th–Mar 28th, 2026)
- Al Di Meola – Fusion legend, guitarist (presumably Staatstheater Kassel)
- Émile Parisien – French saxophonist, European avant-garde
- Viktoria Tolstoy – Swedish jazz singer
- David Helbock – Austrian pianist
- Jacob Karlzon – Swedish piano virtuoso
- Julia Hofer Duo – acoustic duo
- Matti Klein – song-oriented format
- Astor Piazzolla Quinteto – Tango reinterpreted
- Black Dog Groove Society – Funk & Soul
- Improvisation performance with the Volkswagen Soundorchestra
Venues
- Theaterstübchen Kassel – intimate festival living room
- Kulturzentrum Schlachthof – larger headliner stage
- Dock4 – Kulturbahnhof, alternative atmosphere
- Staatstheater Kassel – star concerts
Daily schedules and concert times are available on the pages of jazz-fun.de and the festival venues.
Highlights JazzFrühling 2026
- 17th edition – for the first time as a month-long festival
- Al Di Meola as fusion headliner
- Émile Parisien – European saxophone avant-garde
- European Jazz Night to open with Jakob Manz
- Four venues in Kassel
Prices JazzFrühling 2026
Individual tickets per venue and act, advance booking via Theaterstübchen Kassel and the festival website.
Practical information — JazzFrühling
Getting There
ICE stop Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe, then tram to the city center. Most venues are located in the city center or at the Kulturbahnhof – reachable on foot or by tram.
Tickets
Advance booking via Theaterstübchen Kassel and the festival website. Individual tickets depending on the venue and act.
Dates
February 27th – March 28th, 2026.
Tip
For jazz travelers: Combine two to three concert evenings in Kassel and use the Documenta Halle (urban art engagement), Wilhelmshöhe Palace (Old Masters), and the Bergpark as a day program.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a JazzFrühling al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place JazzFrühling
Mehrere Spielstätten in Kassel
Theaterstübchen / Schlachthof / Dock4 / Staatstheater Kassel, 34117 Kassel