Media & Partnerships: World Jazz Network

Media & Partnerships: World Jazz Network

About this project

The WJN is effectively the world’s largest jazz exchange program. Over the course of a couple days, partners come together in Amersfoort at the International Jazz Laureates Festival (which takes place in tandem with Amersfoort Jazz Festival and World Jazz Conference in May) and bring their countries’ best young talents along for at least one showcase concert.

Partners who represent their home countries are typically artistic directors from venues or festivals or other industry cats with some form of hiring power. Every spring, they bring talents under the age of 35 to Amersfoort and present them to an audience of jazz professionals and enthusiasts. As WJN operates in the spirit of reciprocity, though, delegates don’t just get a free ride and a (well paid) gig; they’re fully expected to bring back at least one act on the Laureates Festival or Amersfoort Jazz Festival lineups home under the same conditions.

I am proud to be a part of the Network. It’s my job to curate and maintain it, keeping in touch with international partners and crafting relationships to expand audiences for our partners. As the Network grows, so do opportunities for international world/jazz talents. What’s more beautiful than that?!