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Rotterdam - city of world class jazz

20th December 2006

The historical port city of Rotterdam has seen many arrivals in its 800-year history but few have brought as much colour and activity as the North Sea Jazz Festival.

A world renowned event on the jazz calendar, the North Sea Jazz Festival had outgrown its previous home in The Hague before it was welcomed with open arms in to Rotterdam.

The list of performers to have made an appearance in the 31-year history of the event reads like a virtual A to Z of the greats of jazz. Icons such as Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz appeared at the very first festival, while Dianne Reeves and Herbie Hancock performed more recently.

However, just like its host city the festival is not a backward looking institution and avant-garde acts are a major feature of the event, which prides itself on nurturing talent and offering a platform for the best new performers.

Styles range from traditional New Orleans jazz, swing, free jazz, fusion, and electronic jazz to blues, gospel, funk, soul, hip hop, R&B and latin.

Festival performances take place at the 10,000 seat Ahoy arena, but during July 13th, 14th and 15th, when North Sea Jazz takes place, the whole city takes on a jazz theme.

With Rotterdam also celebrating its status as the 2007 City of Architecture with a series of high-profile events throughout the year, it's a great time to take a trip to the North Sea Jazz festival and mix some great jazz performances with other events in the city.

It's advisable to book early as the event quickly sells out, but travel to Rotterdam is easy and stress free with great rail connections to the Eurostar in Brussels.

© Adfero Ltd

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