Fifty years after its 1976 debut featuring Sarah Vaughan and Count Basie, the NN North Sea Jazz Festival is preparing for its most significant edition yet. Returning to Rotterdam’s Ahoy Centre from July 10th–12th, 2026, the world’s largest indoor music festival has unveiled a star-studded first wave of artists to celebrate its golden jubilee.
A Half-Century of Musical Evolution
What began as a six-venue event for 9,000 visitors has evolved into a global cornerstone of music culture, now hosting 90,000 fans across 17 stages. The 2026 program honors this legacy by blending jazz purism with the heavyweights of soul, R&B, and contemporary pop.
The 50th-anniversary roster features global superstars including John Legend, Charlie Puth, The Roots, and Nile Rodgers & CHIC. Soul legends The Isley Brothers and multi-Grammy winner Jon Batiste are also set to perform, alongside rising UK star Joy Crookes.
Jazz Innovation and Special Collaborations
At its heart, the festival remains a sanctuary for jazz experimentation. Milestone performances for 2026 include:
Marcus Miller’s “We Want Miles!”: A 2026 reunion tour featuring Mike Stern and Bill Evans.
Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest: A collaborative performance of the Somni project conducted by Jules Buckley.
Jazz Icons: Sets from Pat Metheny, Diana Krall, Cassandra Wilson, and the Charles Lloyd Quartet.
Avant-Garde Pioneers: Appearances by the Sun Ra Arkestra and Hiromi's Sonicwonder.
The festival will also champion fresh talent, with debuts from Sienna Spiro, Alex Isley, and Adrian Younge.
Key Ticket Information for UK Fans
With the festival traditionally attracting a large international contingent, demand is expected to be unprecedented for this anniversary year. While the event takes place in the Netherlands, it remains a "bucket list" destination for British jazz and soul aficionados.
Single-day tickets officially go on sale this Saturday, January 31st, at 9:00 AM GMT.
Beyond the 150+ performances, the weekend will feature workshops, artist signings, and visual art, cementing its status as the ultimate meeting point for the past, present, and future of jazz.
