Deutsches Jazzfestival Frankfurt - Deutsches Jazzfestival Frankfurt 2026

The Deutsches Jazzfestival is the world's oldest continually held jazz festival, staged annually in Frankfurt since 1953. Originally organized by the German Jazz Federation to showcase the best of German jazz, it quickly became the premier jazz event in West Germany during the 1950s, providing the main impetus for the country's jazz scene.

Over the decades, the festival has evolved to embrace international collaborations, bringing together German musicians with prominent artists from Europe and North America. Notable pairings have included Volker Kriegel with Alan Skidmore, Heinz Sauer with George Adams, and Eberhard Weber with Pharoah Sanders. The festival has also served as a launchpad for newcomers such as Caterina Valente, Markus Stockhausen, and Lauren Newton.

Today, the festival is organized by the local broadcaster Hessischer Rundfunk and the City of Frankfurt, with performances fully broadcast on radio. Attendees can expect a rich program spanning traditional to avant-garde jazz, set in the vibrant cultural hub of Frankfurt am Main.