What About Our Cherished Festivals?

Dire times indeed. Jazzahead in Bremen, due April 23rd to 26th, has been postponed to April 29th to May 2nd, 2021. The wonderful XJazz Festival in Berlin, May 6th to 10th, has been cancelled. The 21st Capetown International Jazz Festival, which was scheduled to run this upcoming weekend and usually draws over 40.000 attendees, will set a new date in the future.

As for the 54th Montreux Jazz Festival, the organizers sent out an email earlier today saying that “the Festival team was looking forward to unveiling today the line-up of its 54th edition. But given the exceptional circumstances we are all currently facing, we have decided to postpone this announcement and will communicate the new date as soon as possible…To date, the holding of the Festival, from 3 to 18 July 2020, is not compromised. Our team is therefore continuing its work, in hope and humility, to enable this year’s Festival to happen under the best possible conditions.”

The North Sea Jazz Festival issued this statement: “Measures put in place by the Dutch Government prohibit the organization of events until 1 June. Since NN North Sea Jazz 2020 is to be held on 10, 11 and 12 July, we have to assume that our festival can take place, for the time being. However, because the situation changes every day, we will not take any final decisions relating our event until 1 June – unless we are caught up by a new reality.”

Stay safe and healthy everyone. Our business is closed since last Sunday, only a week before the new season is about to start. We’re both staying home, walking Gina several times a day and driving out to our garden. Strolling through almost empty streets and parks, the social distancing seems to work pretty well so far. Thankfully, we have enough vinyl at home to cheer us up.