The 36th edition of the internationally famous jazz festival North Sea Jazz opened its gates in Rotterdam on Friday. In the Ahoy Rotterdam venue, pianist Ahmad Jamal and the Concert Big Band of the Amsterdam Conservatory were the opening acts of the three-day event.

The first day of the festival also featured Esperanza Spalding, BB King, Randy Brecker and Paul Simon. Prince will start the first of three performances at the North Sea Jazz festival in the early hours of Saturday morning. Natalie Cole officially opened the event on Thursday evening at the North Sea Jazz Gala.

The Netherlands will be represented by a number of artists including Hans Dulfer, Rob van de Wouw, Yuri Honing, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Michiel Borstlap and Ruben Hein. Trumpet player and band leader Kyteman (Colin Benders) has this year been given 'Carte Blanche’ to stage a number of performances with musicians of his choice.

At the Ahoy, 13 stages will host about 1,300 musicians playing a wide variety of musical styles, from swing, bop, and free jazz to fusion, blues, gospel, funk, soul, R&B and hip-hop. Each year, North Sea Jazz attracts between 65.000 and 70.000 visitors.

As usual during North Sea Jazz, Rotterdam will be alive with music, including exhibitions about music, lectures about music, after parties, and many, many performances; in restaurants and bars, but also in the streets.

(gsh)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide