With a larger stand, even more powerful delegation and musical performances, Baltic jazz scene is strengthening its presence at 'jazzahead!' 2026

Over the last few years the Baltic jazz scene has gained increasing international attention, thanks to its cross-border collaborations and strong export focus. With an even bigger stand and a larger delegation on the attendee list, the Baltic region will present its export-ready jazz artists, fresh music, industry activities and much more at the world’s largest jazz gathering and festival “jazzahead!” this April. Being a unified export force in jazz and keeping the regional cooperation afloat, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will unite once again at the Baltic booth at Bremen Messe.

During the 20th anniversary year of “jazzahead!”, with more than three thousands of professionals and over 23 thousands of listeners gathering for the biggest jazz event, the Baltic countries will be presenting their jazz artists on stage, news from the Baltic region and current music releases, accompanied by a delegation of professional musicians and promoters, venue and festival managers and much more. Apart from the performances, the Baltic Reception will proudly take place with traditional Baltic flavours and jazz talks offered by all three country delegations. 

Besides, Baltic jazz musicians will be actively taking part in this year’s “jazzahead!” programme. Estonian-born pianist and composer Britta Virves, based in Stockholm, has now become one of the most sought-after pianists in Swedish jazz. Her compositions are meditations on the wonder of nature, ecological webs of interconnectedness, and the people and places she calls home. Tuulikki Bartosik and Svante Söderqvist will create another Estonian-Swedish musical collaboration connecting two musical worlds. Söderqvist employs his classically inspired jazz techniques on double bass and cello, occasionally complementing them with wordless singing. Bartosik enriches the ensemble with expressive accordion playing and subtle electronic effects. Latvian saxophonist Artūrs Sebris brings soulful, groove-driven jazz from his debut album “Nora”, moving between funk, classic swing and contemporary ballads. Sebris will be performing together with Latvian jazz vocalist Santa Šillere, who adds a strong narrative flow to the music, with her colorful vocal range and knack for storytelling. Two more Latvian artists are joining the Clubninght programme: internationally acclaimed Latvian saxophonist Toms Rudzinskis will be performing as part of the Kenneth Dahl Knudsen sextet. Within this Swedish-German-Latvian ensemble, he contributes to the explosive, high-energy sound world of Knudsen’s latest project, “HEXORA”. Meanwhile new generation jazz drummer Andris Žabris, mostly playing avant-jazz but not minding other genres, will join the Swedish-born guitarist Tomas Janzon and his quartet where lyrical European jazz meets vibrant spontaneity of American tradition.

Baltic programme at “jazzahead!” 2026: 

Fri, 24 April 15:00 - 16:00 

Reception: Baltic Hour (EE, LV, LT)

Baltic booth 6B51 (Findorffstr. 101)

Fri, 24 April 19:30 - 20:15

CLUBNIGHT: Artūrs Sebris feat. Santa Šillere (LV)

NEO (Langenstr. 6-8)

Fri, 24 April 20:00 - 21:00

CLUBNIGHT: Tomas Janzon Trio feat. Andris Žabris (SE, LV)

neusi’s (Langemarckstr. 116)

Fri, 24 April 21:30 - 22:30

CLUBNIGHT: Kenneth Dahl Knudsen sextet feat. Toms Rudzinskis (DK, LV, SE, DE)

Villa Sponte Zeitkultur E.V. (Osterdeich 59b)

Sat, 25 April 16:15 - 16:45 

Showcase: Britta Virves Trio (SE, EE)

Kulturzentrum Schlachthof (Findorffstr. 51)

Sat, 25 April 19:30 - 20:15 and 21:00 - 21:45 

Svante Söderqvist: The Rocket & Tuulikki Bartosik (SE, EE)

Klimahaus Bremerhaven (Am Längengrad 8)

This year, the Baltic booth is being coordinated by Music Estonia in cooperation with Jazz Estonia, Latvian Music Information Centre and Lithuanian Jazz Union, and supported by the Estonian Ministry of Culture, Estonian Embassy in Berlin, Latvian Ministry of Culture, Latvian State Culture Capital Foundation, Lithuanian Council for Culture and Lithuanian Embassy in Germany. Baltic Reception is supported by Punch Club, Pakruojis manor distillery and brewery, Skrīveru Saldumi, Long Chips, and Herbsts cidery.