What not to miss during Breda Jazz Festival 2024

Grand Opening

The grand opening at the Grote Markt is something you definitely don't want to miss. 'Our very own' Nieuwe Veste Bigband will provide the opening concert with a number of soloists.

Grote Markt, Thursday 9th May, 13:00

Jazz Kitchen

Peter Mingaars’ Jazz Kitchen presents a concert that will pleasantly stimulate the audience's musical taste buds. Beautiful compositions and improvisations, seasoned with influences from current international jazz. Musicians Peter Mingaars and Ben Boogaard on guitar and Paul Weiling on alto saxophone offer the audience a surprising combination of tasty ingredients. The 'dishes' are connected with narrative texts that contribute to a delightful listening experience.

Podium 't Sas Terras, Thursday 9th May, 15:30-16:30

Scott Hamilton ft. Trio Frits Landesbergen 

Straight-ahead jazz at the highest level. Scott Hamilton has been at the top of the international jazz scene for many years and is considered by The Guardian to embody the timeless essence of jazz. The saxophonist is globally renowned for his unique and captivating playing style. 

In New York, Hamilton shared the stage with jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Dave McKenna, and Rosemary Clooney. He has over 400 albums to his name, 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and has performed on four continents. During the Breda Jazz Festival, he will be accompanied by the trio of Frits Landesbergen.

De Avenue, Waterstraat 5, Thursday 9th May 20:45-23:15

Order your tickets here

Umbrella Parade

Umbrella Parade for the youngest jazz lovers. The kids, accompanied by a marching band, walk together with their decorated umbrellas towards the school bands on Kerkplein. After a stop at Kerkplein, the parade continues towards De Avenue. There, at 2:00 p.m., the children's concert "Little Louis" will start.

Starting from Nieuwe Veste, Molenstraat 6, Friday 10 May at 12:30 p.m.

Performance School Bands 

These performances focus on young people and jazz. The school bands from Mencia de Mendoza, OLV, Curio, Stedelijk Gymnasium, and Markenhage will create a cheerful and musical atmosphere.

Stage at Kerkplein, Friday 10 May at 11:30 a.m.

Along Comes Mary 

Armed with a tight band, Mary colourfully steps outside the boundaries defining the land of jazz. She puts everything into getting you on the dance floor. Hits from the 40s, 50s, and 60s are revitalised! If you love swing, lively lindy hop, steamy rock & roll, and gospel, then quickly dust off your shiny dancing shoes.

Stage at Grote Markt South, Friday 20:45-22:15

Lester's Blues 

Lester’s Blues, the septet formed by saxophonist Tom Callens, pays tribute to the small groups from the thirties by performing their music with an energetic and natural swing. Lester’s Blues is named after one of saxophonist Lester Young's most bittersweet songs, undoubtedly one of the greatest stylists in jazz history. Inspired by the recordings from the thirties of the small group formed by Count Basie and his friends, Lester's Blues aims to approach this music, style, atmosphere, and natural swing with a touch of freshness and power. Similar to some of Count Basie's groups, the septet is comprised of a rhythm section with four instruments, piano and guitar, and a three-piece brass section made up of prominent Belgian and Dutch jazz and swing artists, seasoned musicians who have built their reputation through years of concerts and practice. A beautiful night of dancing in perspective!

De Avenue, Waterstraat 5, Friday 20:30-22:30

To the ticket shop

The Flying Deers 

It all started at the bar in a random cafe. It turned out that they shared a love for the Robbie Williams show 'Swing when you’re winning', in which Robbie paid a grand tribute to crooner music in general and The Rat Pack in particular, with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin, among others. And so, they decided to do the same. From Frank Sinatra to Michael Bublé and - the beauty of this duo - from Michael Bublé to Frank Sinatra. And everything in between in the crooner club. Brabant pride and always in a three-piece suit. Because that's how The Flying Deers believe crooner music should be performed: smooth, intimate and seriously easy-going.

Stage Spanjaardsgat, Saturday 11 May, 3.00-4.00pm

Tribute to Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald

Saturday evening, De Avenue will be dedicated to Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. It's big shoes to fill, but the right musicians have been brought in for the job.

Singer Lucy Wijnands grew up in Kansas City (USA) with jazz music. Her father Bram (originally from Eindhoven) is one of the best stride pianists. At the age of 25, she toured around the world, sang with the world-famous Birdland Big Band, and won the prestigious Ella Fitzgerald Prize. She graduated as an Ella Fitzgerald Scholar at the Conservatory of Music of SUNY Purchase and received the President’s Award.
The English singer/guitarist Denny Ilet Jr. also grew up with jazz. His father Denny Ilet was a professional jazz trumpeter (including with Max Collie’s Rhythm Aces). Denny Ilett Jr. worked with Lilian Boutté and Pee Wee Ellis (known from James Brown). Recently, he released an album with music from Jimi Hendrix for which he wrote arrangements for the Big Band and played guitar himself. Denny is a celebrated jazz and blues guitarist whose voice - handy for this show - sounds like Mr Sinatra.

Both artists are supported by a select group from the soloists this year

Stage, De Avenue, Waterstraat 5, Saturday 11 May, 8.00-11.00pm

To the ticket shop 

Elijah Gospel Choir ft. Denise Gordon & Jonny & the Jazzuits

The gospel concert has been a regular feature in the Grote Kerk Breda since the first Breda Jazz Festival. It has evolved from an ecumenical service into a concert full of emotion that impresses every year. A concert you'd better be early for!

For this edition, the festival is pulling out all the stops. The Elijah Gospel Choir will sing together with Denise Gordon, who has visited Breda before and made a huge impression. Jonny Boston and his Jazzuits will also be performing.
For those who have attended the gospel concert before, Jonny and the Jazzuits are no strangers. It promises to be a special edition.

Grote Kerk, Kerkplein 2, Sunday 10:30-11:45 am

Go to the ticket shop