EJC2024: Programme outline

 

 

14:00 - 20:30: Registrations for EJN members

 

15:30 - 15:45: Opening & welcome of EJN members

 

15:45 - 17:30: Presentation of EJN activities & general discussion

 

17:30 - 17:45: Coffee break 

 

18:00 - 20:30: FORMAL EJN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

 

20:00 - 00:40: YOUNG CURATORS programme - De Centrale

 

- 21:00 - 21:45: Elis Floreen

- 22:15 - 23:00: Bodem

- 23:30 - 00:30: KAU

 

23:00 - 01:00: FRINGE concerts in five clubs around the city (two sets for each band):

 

- 23:00 - 00:40: FNUSSJEN - Club Telex

- 23:00 - 00:40: Camille-Alban Spreng’s ODIL feat. Nina Kortekaas - Trefpunt

- 23:00 - 00:40: Karen Willems - Terre Sol Four - Hot Club Gent

- 23:30 - 01:10: Le Monde Merveilleux de Pépito - Missy Sippy
- 23:30 - 01:10: Black Flower - Bar Lume

 

 

09:30 - 16:30: Registrations for everybody

 

10:30 - 11:00: Official opening & welcome speeches 

 

11:00 - 11:45: KEYNOTE SPEECH by Lisette Ma Neza (BE)

 

Lisette Ma Neza, at 25, is a Vice-World Champion slam poet (Flup, Rio de Janeiro) and songwriter. With roots in Rwanda, she is the current city poet of the city of Brussels, writes newspaper columns, and works across theatre and music. Accompanied by pianist Neil Akenzua she will bring a poetic state of the cultural union we are a part of: Letters from a young Poetess.

 

12:00 - 12:30: SHOWCASE: Eve Beuvens ‘Lysis’

 

12:30 - 14:00: Lunch

 

14:30 - 15:00: SHOWCASE: Wajdi Riahi Trio

 

15:15 - 17:15: Five parallel DISCUSSION GROUPS on the Conference theme:

 

This discussion group will focus on eco-anxiety among young musicians who are questioning pursuing their careers in the face of the climate crisis and are concerned about their future in the music sector. How can we support them positively while working together to create a more sustainable music industry?

 

- Chair: Lucy Power (Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education, UK)

 

Can AI help the work of a music programmer? Artificial intelligence-based tools are quickly becoming part of our everyday life, and it is easy to be confused or intimidated by them. There have been attempts to use some of these tools to help with festival programming, administration and project planning, resulting in increased capacity and reduced workloads. Is this something we can explore for our sector?

 

- Chair: Andrew Lansley (Cheltenham Festivals, UK)

 

What are the opportunities and restrictions the young workforce see when thinking about career opportunities in our sector? How are roles changing? What are the needs and expectations of the next generation of programmers, directors, managers and leaders, and the barriers they face? We often work long and extra hours at the expense of our work-life balance: should this be acceptable?

 

- Chair: Çağıl Özdemir (Bozcaada Jazz Festival, TR)
- Nele Uyttendaele (Young Curators Programme, BE)
- Clémence Creff (Kultur | lx, Luxembourg)

 

How can we ensure that our audiences include both younger and older generations? Building our audience of the future isn’t only about concerts for children and families, it’s about programming with an intergenerational approach, presenting projects that involve and appeal to both young and old. By exploring new formats and innovative ways of presenting and producing creative music, we can enrich the world of music available to children and young people.

 

- Chair: Regina Fisch (DE/SEMBLE, AT)
- Janine Irons (Tomorrow's Warriors, UK)
- Frank Wuppinger (NUEJAZZ, DE)
- Martyna van Nieuwland (Katowice JazzArt Festival, PL)

 

How can we communicate jazz and creative music to a young audience? Do we need to rethink the way we tell the story? Is the poster with the saxophone still the best choice? What can we do to communicate in a way that resonates with the younger generation? How can we find new ways to connect with them and what types of content will appeal to them?

 

- Chair: Lena Sme (Music Observation Organisation, LV)
- Agnieszka Kiepuszewska (Intl Jazz Platform, PL)
- Evie Henderson (manchester jazz festival, UK)
 

17:30 - 18:00: SHOWCASE: Donder

 

18:00 - 19:00: Free time / networking

 

18:00 - 21:30: Late registrations - Ha Concerts

 

19:00 - 21:00: Dinner - Sint Pietersabdij

 

21:30 - 22:00: SHOWCASE: GingerBlackGinger - Ha Concerts

 

22:15 - 22:45: SHOWCASE: Stéphane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters - Ha Concerts

 

23:00 - 01:00: FRINGE concerts in five clubs around the city (two sets for each band):

 

- 23:00 - 00:30: MDCIII -  Club Telex

- 23:00 - 00:30: Vitja Pauwels’ Early Life Forms - Trefpunt

- 23:00 - 00:30: Under the Reefs Orchestra - Hot Club Gent

- 23:30 - 01:00: NΔBOU - Missy Sippy

- 23:30 - 01:00: Aleph Quintet - Bar Lume

 

 

10:00 - 13:00: Registrations for everybody

 

10:30 - 11:30:  PLENARY PANEL DEBATE: Tomorrow comes Today

During the debate we will hear from young people about their concerns on the future of our planet, and our music ecosystem. The looming environmental crisis is self-evident, and social and economic disparities are growing within our societies in Europe, where young people, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, struggle to find their place. The creative music sector cannot exist in isolation, and young musicians are confronted with these challenges when thinking about their future career. The panel will bring together the perspectives of activists, youth workers and young artists to discuss possible solutions that address these challenges towards a more just, sustainable and inclusive future. 

 

- Kateryna Ziabliuk (artist, UA/PL)

- Frederike Berendsen (artist & activist, NL)

- Fatih De Vos (rapper, sociologist & youth worker, BE)

- Moderator: Anna Umbima (writer & broadcaster, UK)

 

11:30 - 12:15: Celebration of EJN Awards & ZENITH AWARD 2024 concert: Liv Andrea Hauge Trio (NO)

 

12:15 - 12:30: Group photo

 

12:30 - 14:00: Lunch

 

14:30 - 15:00 SHOWCASE: AKI

 

15:15 - 16:15: Wrap-up by An De bisschop (researcher & professor, BE) & presentation of the European Jazz Conference 2025

 

16:15 - 16:45: SHOWCASE: Orchestra Nazionale della Luna

 

17:00 - 18:30: Free time / Networking

 

18:30 - 20:30: Dinner - Sint Pietersabdij

 

21:00 - 21:30: SHOWCASE: De Beren Gieren - Ha Concerts

 

21:45 - 22:15: SHOWCASE: Julien Tassin Quartet - Ha Concerts

 

22:30 - 01:00: SPECIAL IMMERSIVE CONCERT (+ afterparty): SCHNTZL - Wintercircus

 

The Conference coincides with the opening of the new Music Club Wintercircus, featuring a brand new state-of-the-art immersive sound system, that allows every person in the circle-shaped room to experience the music in superior conditions. SCHNTZL crafted a live show with this immersive sound, navigating the delicate balance between the raw sound of drums and hyper-digital synths and electronics. Expect to be blown away!

 

10:30- 12:30: Cultural tours & activities

The Conference hosts are organising three exciting cultural tours options in Ghent on Sunday. Extend your stay and immerse yourself in another full day brimming with music, culture and unforgettable moments. All tours start at 10:30 under the City Pavilion (Stadshal) and end at the same location. All tours conclude at 12:30 with a final concert under the City Pavilion by Volpe (Heleen Andriessens, Kobe Boon, Stijn Demuynck), supported by 123 Piano.