First wave of acts NN North Sea Jazz 2025

We are proud to announce that Jacob Collier will fulfill the role of Artist in Residence this year. The singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and arranger rose to prominence under the wings of Quincy Jones and grew into a crowd-puller with his inventive music. He gives a different performance on every festival day.

In addition to the aforementioned artists, we welcome Jorja Smith, Ezra Collective, Jonathan Jeremiah, Lady Blackbird, Omah Lay, DeWolff, Jordan Rakei, Thee Sacred Souls, Samara Joy, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, Immanuel Wilkins, Julian Lage and Tigran Hamasyan.

As always, the festival also presents a number of special jazz projects: vibraphonist Jason Marsalis plays the role of the legendary band leader in the Lionel Hampton Big Band, which also consists of musicians who played with Hampton himself, and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling pays tribute to Weather Report together with Yellowjackets.

World-famous sitar player Anoushka Shankar is visiting the festival for the first time. Other newcomers are poet and socially committed vocalist Aja Monet, the talented Japanese singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze, funk band Ghost-Note and the Rotterdam R&B talent Naomi Sharon.

At its 48th edition, the NN North Sea Jazz Festival again offers more than 150 performances in three days by a total of more than 1,500 artists, spread over 17 stages, where the past, present and future of jazz and related genres are presented. In addition, there are workshops, interviews and signing sessions by and with artists, showcases of unknown talent, various art exhibitions, a versatile catering offering, shops and much more to enjoy. 

The complete first list of performing artists is as follows:

Friday July 11: Avishai Cohen (trumpet) Quartet, Branford Marsalis Quartet, DeWolff, Ezra Collective, Jacob Collier (Artist in Residence), Jordan Rakei, Judith Hill, Julian Lage, Madeleine Peyroux, Mary J. Blige,  Omah Lay, Victor Ray

Saturday July 12: Aja Monet, Fujii Kaze, Ghost-Note, Jacob Collier (Artist in Residence), Joe Bonamassa & Metropole Orkest, Jonathan Jeremiah, Lionel Hampton Big Band featuring Jason Marsalis, Mary Halvorson Amaryllis Sextet, Maxwell, Naomi Sharon, Samara Joy

Sunday July 13: Anoushka Shankar, Durand Bernarr, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, Jacob Collier (Artist in Residence), Jazzmeia Horn, Jorja Smith, Kamasi Washington, Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets celebrate Weather Report, Lady Blackbird, Lakecia Benjamin, Thee Sacred Souls, Tigran Hamasyan