25 years jazzopen stuttgart - Be Jazz Be Open (12 to 22 July 2018)
More than 50 acts in eleven days on seven stages attracting upwards of 40,000 visitors

In the last two decades jazzopen has become one of the most influential and popular festivals in Germany and has gained a reputation in Europe on par with other great jazz festivals like Montreux or Rotterdam. In 2018, the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. From July 12th to 22nd lnterna­ tionally renowned artists of Jazz, Blues, Soul and Pop are presented on seven stages under the headline „Be Jazz Be Open", turning the state capital Stuttgart into a hotspot for music lovers. In the city centre, the new free festival stage "Open Stage" at the Stadtmuseum will present a fusion Jazz program.

The anniversary celebration on the main stage at Schlossplatz takes place from July 18th to 22nd. World-renowned artists will be presented in front of the spectacular Neues Schloss (New Castle): Jamiroquai (July 18th), Jamie Cullum & Joss Stone (July 19th), Kraftwerk (July 20th), Lenny Kravitz & Gary Clark Jr. (July 21st ) as weil as Die Fantastischen Vier (July 22nd). The open-air stage in the courtyard of the Altes Schloss (Old Castle) once again highlights current masters of jazz: Gregory Porter (July 13th), Stanley Clarke Band (July 14th), Pat Metheny (July 16th) and Till Brönner (July 17th).

For the festival opening the German Jazz Trophy will once again be presented at the SpardaWelt Eventcenter. This year the award goes to Rolf & Joachim Kühn. Further concerts are performed by Christian McBride's New Jawn (July 13th), Michael Wollny Trio (July 14th) and GoGo Penguin (July 17th). Marcus Miller (July 17th) and LP (July 20th) will perform at Scala Ludwigsburg. As always the heart of the festival, the BIX Jazzclub presents selected artists in an intimate atmosphere through­ out the entire duration of the festival: Jason Moran, Knower, lndra Rios-Moore, Chico Freeman and many more. Wolfgang Dauner will perform in an extraordinary setting at the cathedral St. Eberhardt.

"With the slogan "Be Jazz Be Open" at the big anniversary celebration in July, we can expect a lot of top-class live music from newcomers, world stars as weil as insider tips. With our "Open Stage" at the Stadtmuseum, we are extending the festivities and are looking forward to a city in festival fever", says Jürgen Schlensog, promoter of the festival. A top-class line-up in the most beautiful venues and stages in the city, jazzopen welcomes young and old to come together and enjoy all this festival has to offer.