Stuttgart Jazz Open 2017

Over the course of ten days, the Stuttgart Jazz Open (SJO) played host to 40 performances across six venues, in and across greater Stuttgart. An outstanding cast of performers from the likes of Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norah Jones, Wayne Shorter, Lee Ritenour, to the young and talented Isabella Lundgren, recognized by the Swedish Daily News as "one of the greatest things that the Swedish jazz scene has ever happened" and the likes of Kamasi Washington, this year's Jazz Open was a remarkable event.

What made the SJO 2017 an even more exciting event was the variety of talent. The SJO blended modern jazz with the classic and offered new talent to exhibit their individual interpretation. Likewise, the powerful performance by Kamasi Washington. With a saxophone, trombone, female vocals, keyboard, bass and two drummers, he set the tone for the evening with his groovy upbeat collective. With his opening song, "Change Of The Guard," the first song on Kamasi Washington's highly acclaimed album The Epic (2015), he immediately infused the audience with energy that continued through the entire evening.

The SJO organizers capitalized on the city's historic monuments to host venues such as the "Innenhof des Alten Schloss" or the "inner courtyard of the old castle," which superbly enhanced the acoustic chemistry. Even Dave Grusin commented on how he was pleased to perform in such a historic site.

Here you will find some images that capture the passion and energy of Stuttgart's comprehensive Jazz Open.