Jazz Baltica is a popular annual festival that takes place every June or July in a beautiful seaside setting: the main hall of Maritim Seehotel Timmendorfer Strand and the surrounding beach park. Held since 1990, Jazz Baltica draws about 20,000 jazz fans from around the world. With a focus on contemporary jazz and global music, the festival features many free concerts of emerging and local musicians. Families can attend a children's music workshop and a concert for the youngest audience.
Lineup & Schedule
The lineup of JazzBaltica features various genres and styles. On June 27th, you'll have a chance to witness Nils Landgren warming up the crowd with his trombone performance at 6 pm. Ida Sand will showcase the versatility of classic jazz, blues, and soul on the beach stage. On that same evening in the Jazz Club, the band Marriage Material is sure to bring your heart rate up with their energetic tracks.
Saturday program is comprised of even more exciting events, including The Matti Klein Soul Trio, the MHL band, the New Orange Swing Orchestra, the Panimo trio, and many more. On Sunday, swing by the JazzCafé to see Selma Pinton's performance at noon. Ben Prechtl Quartet, Analogue Swing ensemble and others will also perform on the JazzBaltica's Sunday stage.
JazzBaltica All-Star Band
One of the highlights of the festival is the Jazz Baltica All-Star Band, with a changing lineup of European musicians. A well-known Swedish jazz musician, Nils Landgren, participated in the JazzBaltica Ensemble in 2020 and 2021. The same is scheduled to happen this year, with Nils Landgren and the ensemble opening the festival.
Children's Workshop
If you'd like your kiddos to start early in their music journey, consider bringing them to the JazzBaltica music workshop, which takes place on June 30th. Held at the Open Air stage, the instructors encourage young children to unleash their creativity and learn the fun that music gives. Admission to the children's workshop is completely free, but only children four years old and older are allowed to participate.
Tickets
To attend the concerts, you can purchase a combination ticket, which gives you access to all performances of the day. The cost of this pass varies depending on the day: €79 for Friday concerts, €109 for Saturday program, and €120 for Sunday performances. OpenAir concerts are free to attend. You can also purchase separate tickets for artists you'd like to see. Their prices ranges from €5 to €79.
Locations
The festival takes place in Timmendorfer Strand, a German town located on the coast of the Baltic Sea and 24 miles (38 km) from Lübeck. Soothing sounds of jazz can be enjoyed at the Timmendorfer Platz, Maritim MainStage right on the beach, a park stage under the trees, JazzCafé and JazzClub, and other locations with a unique and intimate atmosphere.
Past Jazz Baltica Performers
The festival has always featured many musicians from Scandinavia, Northern Germany, and the Baltic states. Past lineups included Dave Brubeck, Albert Mangelsdorff, Max Roach, Milt Jackson, Wolfgang Dauner, Marcin Wasilewski, Kate McGarry, Nils Landgren, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Roy Haynes, Dianne Reeves, Pat Metheny, Cæcilie Norby, Viktoria Tolstoy, Ulf Wakenius, Tomasz Stanko, Lars Danielsson, and Michael Wollny.
