North Sea Jazz Festival 2025

Various Artists
North Sea Jazz Festival
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
July 11-13, 2025

North Sea Jazz Festival is not just one of the many music festivals around the world; to thousands of people, it is The Festival. Unlike most music festivals, it is not built around hype, trends, or spectacle. It is built around attentive listening, deep legacy—dating back to 1976—and passionate, emotional musical conversation.

Its uniqueness comes from how it treats music, musicians, and audiences. At North Sea Jazz, the focus is the sound, not fireworks or Instagram moments. Performances are carefully curated for musical depth and quality.

The Festival is held inside Ahoy Rotterdam, and thanks to this indoor setting, it offers pristine acoustics that turn the event into a true listening sanctuary. Audiences come prepared to listen, not just attend.

It is a meeting of worlds: a place where cultures, generations, and histories gather; where different genres are invited to speak to one another. Jazz legends, soul and R&B icons, and hip-hop innovators meet alongside global and African music, gospel, funk, electronic, and spoken word artists. All are given space to express themselves for an educated, open-minded audience that is curious, respectful, attentive, and deeply engaged.

NSJ treats jazz as a living, evolving language in which the musical past is not mere nostalgia, but a fundamental foundation for the formation of new generations of artists and attendees. The Festival shows deep respect for history while remaining open to the future, maintaining a rare and successful balance between heritage and innovation.

Established music icons perform here alongside emerging voices, where discovery matters as much as fame. Unlike festivals with a single dominant main stage, NSJ offers many stages of equal artistic importance, with simultaneous performances that encourage exploration. Intimate rooms and grand halls exist side by side.

There are no "wrong" choices at North Sea Jazz—only different journeys, all part of an intense and unique three-day collective musical experience, marked by precious, unforgettable live moments to treasure forever.

Here are some notes and impressions about the concerts that characterised this 48th edition of the Festival:

Jamila Woods

Jamila Woods, the Chicago-based singer, songwriter, and poet, performed at North Sea Jazz on Friday, July 11, as part of the festival's extensive lineup. Her set featured a measured blend of R&B, soul, and jazz-influenced songwriting, delivered with clarity and control. Woods' vocals remained steady throughout the performance, effectively supporting material from her recent catalog, including songs from Water Made Us (2023). The performance emphasized lyrical content and reflective themes, consistent with Woods' established approach to socially conscious and narrative-driven songwriting.

The Philharmonik

The Philharmonik, led by American vocalist, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Christian Gates, performed at North Sea Jazz 2025 with a compact band featuring guitar, bass, drums, alongside Gates on vocals and keyboards. The set favored a groove-oriented, genre-blending approach that distinguished it from the more traditional jazz performances earlier in the day. Drawing on neo-soul, R&B, funk, and jazz influences, the music balanced contemporary production with clear roots in classic rhythm and blues. The Philharmonik's afternoon performance offered a soulful and rhythm-driven contrast within the festival lineup, aligning with North Sea Jazz's broader aim of presenting both jazz traditions and evolving, cross-genre expressions.

The Symphonic Music of Wayne Shorter

The Symphonic Music of Wayne Shorter was presented at North Sea Jazz as a special orchestral project, featuring the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Clark Rundell. The performance brought together several of Shorter's longtime collaborators, including Danilo Pérez on piano, John Patitucci on bass, Terri Lyne Carrington on drums, and saxophonists Tineke Postma and Dayna Stephens. The program consisted of original large-ensemble works by Shorter, a number of which had not previously been performed in Europe. The concert was widely received as a considered homage to Wayne Shorter's compositional legacy. Rundell, who worked closely with Shorter over many years, led an interpretation that emphasized structural clarity and tonal depth, while the presence of Shorter's former collaborators added a strong sense of continuity and authenticity. In the context of Shorter's passing in 2023, the performance carried additional emotional weight and was frequently described by audiences as respectful and moving.

Sheila E.

Sheila E. brought her Latin-funk ensemble The E-Train to the Nile stage on Friday evening at North Sea Jazz, delivering a high-energy set driven by funk grooves and Latin rhythms. Her percussion and drumming anchored the performance, highlighting her versatility as both a musician and bandleader. The area around the stage was notably crowded, with a responsive audience drawn to the rhythmic intensity and familiar material. While outside the festival's traditional jazz focus, the set effectively bridged jazz-festival programming with broader popular appeal.

Judith Hill

Judith Hill took the Congo stage with a bold, confident presence, immediately establishing one of the day's standout performances. Opening with blues-tinged piano and funk rhythms, she delivered a mix of funk, soul, blues, and R&B, supported by her tight band and occasional synth textures. Drawing on influences from classic funk and her work with Prince, Hill's set offered straightforward grooves and upbeat riffs that added a dynamic counterpoint to the festival's jazz-heavy lineup, enriching the day's diverse musical program.

Herbie Hancock

At 85, Herbie Hancock proved why he remains a living legend of jazz at the Amazon Stage, delivering a performance that combined musical mastery, playful energy, and a band fully in sync with his vision. Joined by trumpeter Terence Blanchard, guitarist LionelLoueke, bassist JamesGenus, and drummer JaylenPetinaud, Hancock moved seamlessly between piano, synth, and improvisation. He led the harmonic and melodic direction, blending acoustic piano with synth textures to anchor both funk and jazz pieces. Blanchard delivered soaring, lyrical trumpet solos, while Loueke added rhythmic and harmonic layers on guitar with memorable world-music-inspired vocal textures. Genus maintained deep grooves throughout Actual Proof, the medley, and Chameleon, providing cohesion and energy, while Petinaud fueled syncopated funk rhythms and jazz-fusion dynamics, responding precisely to Hancock's cues to create dynamic tension and release. Highlights included funky grooves, a keytar section, audience interaction, and a vocoder message promoting unity and connection. The set closed with Chameleon, Hancock's iconic funk-fusion anthem from Head Hunters (1973), with its hypnotic bass line, rhythmic punch, and extended solos that left the crowd energized and fully immersed in the legacy of jazz fusion excellence.

Dino D'Santiago

Dino D'Santiago, a Portuguese artist of Cape Verdean heritage, brought his signature blend of Cape Verdean rhythms, R&B, soul, hip hop, and global urban music to North Sea Jazz 2025. While not traditional jazz, his performance embodied the festival's spirit of cultural fusion and rhythmic diversity. The set was rhythmically rich and danceable, combining Cape Verdean tradition with contemporary urban sounds, engaging both jazz enthusiasts and wider audiences. D'Santiago's performance highlighted the festival's commitment to eclectic programming, adding world-fusion energy to one of the summer's most dynamic stages.

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige closed out Friday night on the Nile stage with a performance that blended party energy, fan-centered nostalgia, and emotional depth, transforming her headline slot into what many described as a neighborhood celebration rather than a formal concert. Walking on to enthusiastic cheers, Blige engaged directly with the audience, inviting sing-alongs and even letting a fan take the microphone. The show balanced two moods: an early, upbeat party atmosphere with fans dancing and singing along, and a more introspective midsection featuring wardrobe changes, personal video clips, and reflections on self-belief and resilience. Blige's voice remained powerful and expressive throughout, reaffirming her status as an R&B and hip hop soul legend, even as the Nile stage's massive sound occasionally challenged clarity.

Alfredo Rodríguez

Cuban-born pianist and composer Alfredo Rodríguez delivered one of Saturday's most energetic performances at North Sea Jazz, leading his quintet through a rhythm-driven set that blended jazz improvisation with Afro-Cuban and Latin influences. His fluid solos balanced technical precision with expressive freedom. Vocalist Alana Sinkëy joined midway, adding warmth and melodic contrast with her rich, soulful tone. Drawing from jazz, flamenco, funk, neo-soul, and Latin rhythms, her singing brought a worldly nuance to the set, moving effortlessly between intuitive phrasing and more adventurous jazz inflection. Together, Rodríguez and Sinkëy offered a vibrant example of jazz—Latin fusion and a clear highlight of the day's program.

Nduduzo Makhathini

South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini brought his trio to the Madeira stage on Saturday afternoon, joined by guest saxophonist Mark Turner, for one of the day's more introspective performances. Opening with a quiet, blues-inflected and spiritually oriented piece, Makhathini established a ceremonial atmosphere that favoured reflection over immediacy. Drawing on Zulu spiritual traditions, the set included vocal passages and spoken elements in Zulu, adding cultural and symbolic depth to the music. The performance cantered on careful improvisational interplay between piano, rhythm section, and Turner's lyrical, probing saxophone lines. With its slow pacing, dense harmonies, and meditative focus, the set was described by attendees as intriguing rather than immediately accessible, standing in deliberate contrast to the more groove-driven performances elsewhere in the program.

Aja Monet

Aja Monet brought her spoken-word poetry infused with jazz, soul, and blues to the Murray stage on Saturday, delivering one of the day's most emotionally resonant performances. Supported by a live jazz ensemble, the set unfolded more as a poetic ritual than a traditional concert, emphasizing narrative, presence, and reflection. Addressing themes of identity, love, and resilience, Monet used voice, rhythm, and silence as expressive tools. A highlight was "for the kids who live," a raw, blues-tinged piece that deeply engaged the audience and underscored her ability to bridge poetry and jazz tradition. Rather than functioning as a conventional jazz set, the performance felt like an ongoing conversation between poet, musicians, and listeners—an experience many attendees described as one of the day's most powerful moments.

The ZO! Gospel Choir

The ZO! Gospel Choir delivered one of the festival's most uplifting performances during their early evening slot on the Nile stage on Saturday. One of the Netherlands' leading gospel collectives, the ensemble blended gospel with R&B, soul, jazz, and pop influences, creating a dynamic and accessible set. Soloists Berget Lewis and Shirma Rouse stood out with commanding lead vocals, while the full choir provided powerful choral responses. With strong instrumental support and moments of audience participation, the performance moved beyond a traditional gospel presentation, offering a communal and high-energy highlight within the North Sea Jazz program.

Samara Joy

Grammy-winning vocalist Samara Joy delivered one of Saturday evening's standout performances at the Amazon stage, bringing elegance, swing, and classic jazz sensibility to one of the festival's most anticipated sets. Her warm, velvety voice moved effortlessly between lush ballads and swinging up-tempo numbers, evoking the atmosphere of classic jazz vocalists while maintaining a contemporary presence. Backed by a highly responsive ensemble, Joy's phrasing, control, and emotional nuance remained at the forefront throughout the set. Her performance stood out for its refinement and clarity, offering a timeless vocal moment within North Sea Jazz's diverse lineup and reaffirming her place among the leading voices of contemporary jazz. Many listeners described this set as one of the most charming and memorable vocal performances of the entire 2025 festival—a space where classic jazz tradition met a vibrant new voice in the jazz world.

Maxwell

Neo soul legend Maxwell took the Nile stage Saturday evening, delivering one of North Sea Jazz 2025's most talked-about R&B performances. From the opening notes, he drew on his signature smooth, sensual sound, with early classics like Sumthin' Sumthin' transforming the stage into a warm, intimate space reminiscent of his Urban Hang Suite era. Critics praised his still-impressive vocal skill, particularly his falsetto and phrasing, which conveyed longing and intimacy across both classics and slower ballads. Maxwell's ensemble added depth with jazzy textures from bass, guitar, synth, and organ, giving songs like Lifetime new resonance and encouraging audience sing-alongs. Tracks such as Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder) and Fistful of Tears highlighted his ability to transition from delicate nuance to powerful emotion, holding the crowd's attention throughout. Relaxed and fully present, Maxwell connected with the audience effortlessly, delivering a performance that was both a celebration of his neo soul legacy and a standout moment in the festival lineup.

Celeste

British soul singer Celeste closed out Saturday night on the Maas stage with one of the weekend's most powerful vocal showcases. Her set combined emotional intensity, impressive range, and vulnerability, standing out as a highlight of Day2. Celeste's voice—velvet soft yet raw—moved seamlessly from introspective lines to powerful high notes, executed with both fragility and force. Critics noted how she physically embodied her songs, bending and shaping with the music to amplify emotional impact. Her commanding yet intimate stage presence, paired with expressive storytelling, drew comparisons to Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, making the performance a deeply moving highlight of the festival.

Cory Wong

Cory Wong closed out Saturday night on the Nile stage with a funk-driven, groove-heavy set that injected high energy into the festival's second day. Known for his tight rhythm guitar and joyful stage presence, Wong led a large ensemble—including brass and rhythm sections—through up-tempo jazz-funk grooves built on syncopated riffs and pulsating rhythms rather than extended solos. Highlights included inventive reinterpretations of familiar material, such as a jazz-funk take on De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig's Sterrenstof and a playful brass-driven version of Bennie and the Jets. Wong's signature showmanship, rhythmic precision, and interaction with the crowd created a late-night "funk party" atmosphere, making the set accessible, danceable, and one of the festival's standout moments.

Thee Sacred Souls

Thee Sacred Souls, the Daptone Records—signed trio from San Diego, brought their retro soul revival sound to the Nile stage on the final day of North Sea Jazz 2025. Featuring vocalist Josh Lane, bassist Sal Samano, and drummer Alejandro Garcia, the group delivered an early afternoon set that many described as a highlight of Sunday's program. Drawing on classic Motown and 1960s soul, their relaxed, heartfelt grooves combined layered harmonies, warm basslines, and gentle percussion, creating a dreamy, feel-good atmosphere. Lane's velvety falsetto, shifting effortlessly from intimate verses to impassioned refrains, anchored the performance and added emotional nuance. While understated compared to high-energy acts, the set radiated positivity and charm, offering a soulful moment that stayed true to the band's vintage-inspired aesthetic.

Ambrose Akinmusire

Ambrose Akinmusire, one of modern jazz's most forward-thinking trumpeters, took the Madeira stage on the final day of North Sea Jazz 2025, performing material from his acclaimed 2025 album honey from a winter stone with a chamber-expanded ensemble featuring vocals, rhythm section, and strings. Marking his eighth festival appearance, Akinmusire presented deeply compositional and expressive work, blending jazz improvisation with text, vocal elements, and chamber textures. His trumpet—lyrical, edgy, and tender—anchored the set, using silence and contour as much as sound, while the ensemble, including Sam Harris (piano), Reggie Washington (bass), Justin Brown (drums), vocalist KOKAYI, and a string quartet, shifted pieces from introspection to charged collective expression. Vocalist KOKAYI acted as a third expressive voice alongside Akinmusire and the North Sea String Quartet, weaving spoken word, improvisation, and extended vocal techniques into the ensemble's textures. Together, they created a performance that felt like a cohesive suite rather than a set of individual tunes, rewarding attentive listening with its emotional depth, conceptual nuance, and rich interplay between trumpet, voice, and strings. The performance highlighted Akinmusire's dual identity as both composer and improviser, offering a contemplative counterpoint to the festival's groove-oriented acts.

Odeal

Odeal, the British-Nigerian singer-songwriter, brought a vibrant, genre-blending set to the Darling stage on Sunday afternoon. Known for fusing alternative R&B, Afrobeat, dancehall, hip hop, and Alté, his performance highlighted modern Black diasporic music alongside the festival's jazz and soul acts. Drawing on his nomadic upbringing across Germany, Nigeria, Spain, and the UK, Odeal combined silky R&B vocals with Afrobeat rhythms, reggae inflections, and contemporary hip hop sensibilities. His soft, melodic voice conveyed both vulnerability and rhythmic confidence, moving seamlessly between intimate ballads and groove-driven sections, creating a worldly, engaging set that resonated with both familiar fans and new listeners.

Sabrina Starke

On Sunday late afternoon, Dutch soul singer-songwriter Sabrina Starke took the Mississippi stage with a set blending soul, jazz, folk, reggae, hip hop, and blues influences. Performing songs from her 2024 album Weather the Storm alongside earlier material, Starke delivered a deeply personal and uplifting show, drawing on themes of survival, reflection, and growth. Her warm, expressive voice anchored the performance, moving seamlessly between introspective passages and groove-driven numbers. Backed by a versatile band with backing vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums, Starke's set combined tight arrangements with space for instrumental interplay, creating a rich, collaborative atmosphere that highlighted her 20-year career and artistry.

Dominique Fils Aimé

Montreal-born singer Dominique Fils Aimé brought her jazz, blues, soul, and alternative R&B set to the Murray stage in the late afternoon, delivering one of the festival's most emotionally grounded performances. Deeply informed by Black musical traditions and her heritage, Fils Aimé explored themes of identity, ancestry, and social consciousness. Her rich, expressive voice moved effortlessly from intimate fragility to commanding power, carrying both narrative and emotional weight. The set flowed seamlessly between blues-tinged jazz, soulful expression, and modern R&B, giving listeners a timeless yet contemporary experience. Featuring material from Our Roots Run Deep and newer singles, her performance offered both dynamic grooves and reflective moments, leaving a lasting impression despite its brevity.

GRAMMY-nominated American R&B/soul singer Durand Bernarr brought his charismatic, genre-blending performance to the Sunday lineup at North Sea Jazz, injecting energy into a day shaped by vocal-driven and soul-oriented acts. Known for his wide vocal range—from rich baritone to expressive falsetto—Bernarr moved fluidly between soul ballads, funk grooves, and jazz-inflected phrasing. His set combined emotional depth with rhythmic vitality, engaging the audience through dynamic storytelling, theatrical presence, and interactive moments. In the festival context, Bernarr's performance offered a vibrant, personal highlight, demonstrating how modern R&B voices can shine alongside contemporary jazz and soul.

Jazzmeia Horn

American jazz singer Jazzmeia Horn delivered one of North Sea Jazz 2025's standout vocal performances on the festival's final day. Celebrated for her virtuosity, emotional depth, and respect for jazz heritage, Horn navigated soulful ballads, swinging rhythms, and scat-infused improvisations with remarkable control and expressive nuance. Her ensemble responded to her phrasing with dynamic interplay, turning the set into a lively musical conversation. Horn's stage presence—confident, engaging, and intimate even in a large hall—paired with emotive storytelling, made her performance both thrilling and heartfelt. Critics and audiences alike highlighted her as a festival vocal standout, bridging jazz tradition with fresh, contemporary interpretation.

North Sea Jazz 2025 was an extraordinary celebration of music, bringing together jazz legends, soulful voices, and electrifying grooves, and I'm already counting down the days until next year's festival to experience another unforgettable weekend of artistry, energy, and pure musical magic.

Comments