The City of Antwerp launched a call in November 2023 to find a new organizer for a jazz festival. That festival follows the well-known Jazz Middelheim, which took place for the last time in the summer of 2022. Among organizers there was quite a lot of enthusiasm to follow in the footsteps of Jazz Middelheim: from eight candidates, the jury selected one party that impressed with an ambitious and promising proposal.
The selected organizer is a partnership between Brosella and Paradise City. Brosella Festival stands for a varied musical offering of urban ethno and jazz and the many music styles in between. It presents and produces music projects from both established names and young top talent from its own region and beyond. Paradise City Festival marks the start of summer each year for fans of electronic music on a castle estate and is recognized worldwide for its far-reaching sustainability efforts.
This candidate impressed with a strong proposal:
- They maintain the balance between tradition and innovation. They respect the history of Jazz Middelheim and the classical jazz tradition, but also look with an open mind to the future and have an eye for innovation in jazz.
- They score high both on the artistic program and on the concept and experience.
- They convince through their experience in organizing events in a green park environment.
- They have attention to talent development and internationalization through collaborations with young musicians.
The chosen organizer is now beginning preparations for a new jazz festival in Park Den Brandt. In 2024 the applicant foresees a small-scale event that will be part of building up to the major festival in 2025.
Alderman for Culture Nabilla Ait Daoud:
"Many jazz and festival lovers will be happy to hear this with me: the future of the jazz festival in Antwerp is assured, we are not letting go of the tradition! Moreover, in the place where the festival has its roots, because jazz in Antwerp has grown together with Park Den Brandt. We look forward with great anticipation to a festival that will be convivial and intimate, that honors both the past and the future of jazz, that puts Antwerp back on the international jazz map."
