Matti Austen Introducing Matti Austen In the world of music, there are individuals who serve as the linchpins connecting artists, enthusiasts, and opportunities. Matti Austen, a programmer and connector, has left an indelible mark on the World Jazz Network and the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival. After an incredible journey spanning ten editions, Matti Austen has chosen to step away from his role, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, innovation, and love for music. A Decade of Dedication For over a decade, Matti Austen has been an integral part of the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival, contributing as a co-programmer and intermediairy.

On the 18th of August, Amersfoort, a city in the Netherlands, reverberated with the entrancing rhythms of jazz and intellectual discourse as it played host to the World Jazz Conference during the prestigious Amersfoort World Jazz Festival. This annual gathering, a celebration of jazz’s global essence, brought together luminaries, professionals, and aficionados from around the world to exchange not only ideas and experiences but also the very essence of music itself. The World Jazz Conference, a melting pot of innovation and tradition, drew together the masterminds steering jazz events and organizations across the globe. The conference acted as a nexus

Celebrating Harmony: Amersfoort World Jazz Festival Collaborates with Sicily Jazz Festival In a celebration of cultural exchange and artistic collaboration, the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival and the Sicily Jazz Festival are set to join hands in a spectacular event that promises to bring the best of jazz music and Sicilian culture to the Netherlands. With an exciting lineup of performances and guest appearances, this partnership promises to be a memorable experience for jazz enthusiasts and those intrigued by the vibrant traditions of Sicily. Vito Giordano and the Peter Beets New Jazz Orchestra** One of the highlights of the festival will

Standard Bank Joy of Jazz – Feel the Jazz. Everywhere!   The 2023 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz returns with the promise of exhilarating experiences for music lovers to Feel the Jazz, Everywhere! Africa’s premier jazz festival takes place on 29 and 30 September 2023 at the Sandton International Convention Central, with an exciting line-up of headlining jazz stars from across the world. Over two fun-filled days, across the four main stages, the producers of the 2023 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz have curated a show for music lovers to reconnect and feel the jazz everywhere. The Dinaledi Stage will be headlined by the most successful cross-over musician of his generation, Grammy Award winner Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider and Friends Ayanda Nhlangothi, Vusi

The World Jazz Network in Amersfoort is an annual event that brings together jazz festivals from around the world to showcase their exceptional endorsed talent. The network’s primary aim is to promote and celebrate the rich diversity of jazz music while providing a platform for emerging jazz artists to gain recognition on an international scale. The centerpiece of the World Jazz Network is a prestigious conference where representatives from various jazz festivals convene to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and discuss the latest trends in the jazz industry. During the conference, attendees have the opportunity to attend insightful panel discussions,

Andre le Roux founded IKS Cultural Consulting in 2004 after his departure at the National Arts Council of South Africa. He then worked on arts and heritage projects for the City of Johannesburg and the Transnet Foundation. This involved reawakening heritage through the arts, a fresh look at the cultural calabash in Taung, in collaboration with the Mmabana Arts Culture & Sports Foundation to produce a festival. The value created for the Transnet Foundation was from a Corporate Social Investment point of view. The Rorkesdrift heritage training project revived the Rorkesdrift Center with Create SA and Fugitives Drift Lodge, part