North Sea Jazz 2006 will take place in Rotterdam. We’re moving, because we don’t want to endanger our well-tried festival concept. North Sea Jazz must be - and remain to be - what it has become in the past 30 years: a festival of both musical and organizational quality. A festival where, again and again, three generations of jazz lovers have been able to enjoy a varied program in a unique, intimate atmosphere.

We find ourselves at a crossroad. In The Hague a part of the well-known accommodation will be pulled down. An operation with immense consequences concerning the heart of our festival. Concert halls will disappear, the capacity will decrease, and as a result the festival would have become more crowded and therefore more chaotic. We are not willing to make any concessions regarding the formula of a festival that has succeeded in attracting thousands of loyal visitors over the years.

That’s why we’re moving to Rotterdam. Realizing that we are leaving behind a history in the royal residence, but also aware of the fact that this guarantees the continuity of North Sea Jazz in the near and far future. Our program is the basis of our success. And thát quality will not be altered, that’s a promise. In fact, the new festival venue Ahoy presents new possibilities. We will be able to be more flexible in scheduling our musicians, we will offer more comfort and better sightlines in the many halls, with stages that will be constructed in the old familiar way. And everything will still feel very familiar, because we – of course – won’t be making any changes for the worse.

Most of the time changes are only inconvenient. In this case we will make a change for the better. Without denying our roots, we are looking forward to North Sea Jazz 2006 in Rotterdam. And that’s because we have the conviction that a wonderful tradition will be preserved for so many faithful visitors. So next time - in 2006 - we will meet in Rotterdam.

Source: www.northseajazz.nl