concept & vision

A festival for greater visibility, diversity, and gender equality in jazz.

rejazz-festival celebrates its 7th edition

rejazz-festival is unique in Berlin

rejazz-festival showcases outstanding women in jazz

Why this festival?

Since 2020, rejazz-festival has been sending a clear message from Berlin’s music scene: it creates a stage for female jazz musicians who perform with artistic independence and a clear vision – as bandleaders, co-leaders, and creative voices of a diverse scene. Here, the term “female musicians” encompasses all women (cis and trans) as well as intersex, non-binary, and those individuals who are socially perceived as female. The festival sees itself as a platform, a catalyst, and a network all at once.

What makes rejazz-festival unique

Greater visibility for female jazz musicians
A platform for female-led & co-led jazz projects
International guests meet the Berlin jazz scene
Inspiration for a new generation of music creators
Creative diversity, safe spaces, and exchange on equal footing

Visibility of women in jazz

rejazz-festival showcases female-led and co-led jazz bands, actively challenging traditional gender roles in the music industry. It offers a stage to original, artistically independent projects with their own compositions, initiated and shaped by female jazz musicians with a clear vision. Rather than focusing on all-women ensembles, the spotlight is on musical projects where women take on the creative leadership – serving as a distinct voice on a stage that has long been male-dominated.

Rethinking jazz: Role models and new perspectives

The festival creates visibility for inspiring female musicians and bandleaders – not only to celebrate their work but also to open up new perspectives on the future of jazz. Its message is clear: Music knows no gender. What counts is what resonates on stage – quality, expression, and attitude. Visible role models strengthen the presence of women in jazz and encourage a new generation of music creators to embrace diversity naturally, shaping the jazz of tomorrow to be more inclusive.

Gender equality and diversity in jazz

Despite growing awareness, female jazz musicians remain underrepresented in festival line-ups and club programming. rejazz-festival takes a clear stance on equal opportunities, diversity, and the importance of safe spaces for musical variety. It contributes actively to a more equitable and open jazz landscape – and serves as an impulse for change in the music industry.

A space for discovery and connection

The curated program features six outstanding acts each year – blending international voices, fresh musical languages, and intergenerational creativity. rejazz-festival has become a recognized fixture in Berlin’s jazz scene and is valued as an inspiring place for musical discovery, exchange, and networking. Founded by Dutch singer and composer Jacobien Vlasman, the festival makes a strong cultural statement for: greater visibility, diversity, and artistic freedom in jazz.

rejazz-festival has already presented the following artists and their bands

Julia Hülsmann // Angelika Niescier // Jacobien Vlasman // Sera Kalo // Silke Eberhard // Mia Knop Jacobsen // Anna Wohlfarth // Zuza Jasinska // Mia Gjakonovski // Käthe Johanning // Susanne Paul // Eva Klesse // Fabiana Striffler // Mirna Bogdanovic // Efrat Alony // Heidi Bayer // Lucía Boffo // Olga Reznichenko // Mariá Portugal // Lucía Martínez // Maria Reich // Els Vandeweyer // Nancy Meier // Lucia Cadotsch // Taiko Saito // Heidi Heidelberg // Shabnam Parvaresh // Louise Jallu // Ella Zirina // Holly Schlott // Julia Kadel // Sanne Huijbregts // Birgitta Flick // Sylvia Bruckner // Evi Filippou