Colmar Jazz Festival

Origins: Jazz in the City, Jazz on the Field

The Colmar Jazz Festival was born in 1996 on the initiative of Jacques Dreyfuss, deputy mayor, with the ambition to complement Colmar's cultural offerings. The festival was then titled "Jazz en ville, jazz au Champ" and was based on two simultaneous events: lunchtime concerts in front of the city center's restaurant terraces, and concerts under a tent with a capacity of 300 in the central aisle of the Champ-de-Mars. The first artists were local musicians — Robert Mérian, Michel Hausser, Ron Pittner, Werner Brum — who laid the foundations for a festival rooted in the Alsatian musical scene.

A Festival That Grew With Its City

Over the years, the Colmar Jazz Festival has developed considerably. From a modest local event, it has become a national-scale festival, spanning ten days in September and hosting around thirty concerts in Colmar's most emblematic venues: the Salle de spectacles Europe, the Théâtre municipal, Le Grillen, the Église Saint-Matthieu, the Cour de la Maison des Associations, and the Librairie Feuilles d'encre. This diversity of locations gives the festival a unique charm, where each concert is experienced in a different architectural setting.

Heritage and Exploration: The Artistic Lineup

The programming of the Colmar Jazz Festival is distinguished by its balance between heritage and exploration. The festival mixes big names in international jazz and emerging talents, notably supported by the "Propulsion" initiative which offers a showcase for young award-winning musicians. From classical jazz to contemporary jazz, including Afro-Cuban fusion, improvised music, and original creations, each edition offers a rich and varied musical journey. In 2025, the 29th edition hosted Vincent Peirani, the Cuban Jazz Syndicate, Theon Cross, Camille Bertault, and Emile Londonien.

Jazz In and Jazz Off: The Festival Spills Out

In addition to paid concerts ("Jazz In"), the Colmar Jazz Festival offers free events and outdoor concerts ("Jazz Off") in the Cour de la Maison des Associations or in bookstores and cafes in the city center. These accessible events contribute to the democratization of jazz and allow curious audiences to discover artists in intimate and friendly formats.