The 28th Idar-Oberstein Jazz Days will take place from May 23 to 25, 2025. A total of 24 bands will perform on four stages over three days, transforming the pedestrian zone in the Idar district into a vibrant jazz metropolis. The program of the open-air festival has now been presented by Lord Mayor Frank Frühauf and the staff of the municipal cultural department in the premises of Vereinigte Volksbank Raiffeisenbank eG.
Eric Gregori, Co-CEO of VVR Bank, welcomed the participants to the press conference and pointed out that one of his predecessors was instrumental in the 'birth' of the Jazz Days. "That's why we feel connected to the festival and are happy to continue supporting it." In times of shrinking public budgets, this private or corporate commitment is particularly in demand.
Mayor Frank Frühauf took up these words and thanked all sponsors - in addition to VVR Bank, OIE AG, Schwollener Sprudel, Kirner Privatbrauerei, Günther Effgen GmbH, the Bürkle Foundation and the Ministry for Family Affairs, Women, Culture and Integration - for their valuable support. "Without this community, we would not be able to realize this great event."
Multifaceted program
Afterwards, the employees of the cultural department - Maximilian Haupert, Sabrina Reidenbach and Timo Fewinger - presented the program of the three-day festival on behalf of Annette Strohm, who was unable to attend due to illness. The program is stylistically diverse, "because jazz is very flexible when it comes to instruments and vocals," says Maximilian Haupert. Musically, the program ranges from virtuoso jazz to electronic influences and gentle songwriter melodies. The local heroes of the Golden Swing Big Band, led by Uwe Kirsch, will kick things off with swing and jazz rock. They will be joined by: Fola Dada, winner of the 2022 German Jazz Award, will delight audiences with her powerful voice and unique blend of jazz and soul. With their electro-acoustic live sound, the band Norlyz brings the energy of electronic music to the stage with the warmth of acoustic instruments - jazz kissed by techno that is danceable, rich in detail and inspiring in equal measure. The young guitarist Louis Matute from French-speaking Switzerland is one of the most exciting newcomers on the scene - technically brilliant and stylistically innovative. The Israeli trio Shalosh breaks down genre boundaries and combines jazz with rock, classical music, African rhythms and Middle Eastern influences. Alma Naidu, one of the most promising singers on the German jazz scene, combines soft jazz with songwriter elements, folk and soul - carried by touching melodies.
Free admission - but please wear a button
"As always, visitors can experience this diverse program free of charge," explained Mayor Frühauf. Nevertheless, music lovers can support the festival by purchasing a sponsorship button. These are available in advance for 8 euros and during the festival at all stands for 10 euros. The organic buttons in Mocha Mousse, the Pantone color of the year 2025, are completely biodegradable and CO2-neutral except for the safety pin. "The sale of the buttons helps to refinance the Jazz Days and I therefore appeal to all visitors to buy some," says the mayor.
- All information about the Jazz Days can be found at www.idar-oberstein.de/jazztage. The sponsorship buttons are now available from the Schulz-Ebrecht and Carl Schmidt bookshops, the Idar-Oberstein Tourist Information Office and Textilen Wohnkultur GmbH, Teehaus. Festival flyers are also available there.