Jazz & Beyond 2024
The first weekend of November 2024 will see the 12th edition of the So What’s Next Jazz Festival Eindhoven, Eindhoven’s annual international jazz festival that takes its name from the legendary jazz track So What and the relentless drive for innovation of its creator Miles Davis. The all-new So What’s Next offers an adventurous contemporary mix of rising stars and established names, all pushing the boundaries of jazz and showing what jazz stands for today. The numerous live performances will take place in Muziekgebouw Eindhoven as well as on a large number of stages in the city centre.
The first names are confirmed for the Grand Festivalnight on Saturday 2 November:
- Al Di Meola
- Branford Marsalis Quartet
- Lakecia Benjamin
- Michelle David & The True-tones
- Dulfer! Total Response
The heart of the festival weekend is the Grand Festivalnight on Saturday 2 November. Then, a stunning parade of established names and high-profile newcomers will alternate on all stages of Muziekgebouw Eindhoven. They are all different in their own sound and performance but have one thing in common: they all explore the edges of jazz. We are proud to announce the first confirmed names of the artists who will perform on Saturday, 2 November. First of all So What’s Next presents guitar legend Al Di Meola who will bring a unique return to his electric years with an all-star electric band. Think songs from legendary albums like Land Of The Midnight Sun, Elegant Gipsy and Splendido Hotel with which he laid the foundations for fusion within jazz. The performance is exclusive; Al Di Meola will only do one performance in the Netherlands this autumn and that is at So What’s Next. Equally unique is the only festival show in the Netherlands by the world-famous Branford Marsalis Quartet. Marsalis played as a young jazz lion with Sting, Grateful Dead and Miles Davis and made history within jazz with his mix of jazz and hiphop in Buckshot Lefonque. His Quartet remained the mainstay all along and we are going to experience why that is. Perhaps the most important name for the future of contemporary jazz is New York-based alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, who has set stages on fire worldwide and won no fewer than 3 GRAMMY nominations with her great album Phoenix. Lakecia plays jazz that is sprinkled with the rich flavors of funk and soul and she is fully in step with the rhythms of the young generation. Born and raised in New York City, Michelle David knows how to put on a glowing performance of classic soul. Michelle David and the True-tones have already conquered many festivals worldwide with their upbeat grooves, powerful vocals, and strong melodies. With a new album under their belt, Brothers & Sisters, they will undoubtedly hit the house. Of course, Dutch jazz icon Hans Dulfer cannot be missing from this edition of So What’s Next. Now 84 but still going strong, he will perform all the legendary hits and new work with a new super band: Dulfer! Total Response. And that’s just the beginning: much more to come.
Tickets for the Festivalnight on Saturday 2 November at 57,50 euro (ex service charge) go on sale from Friday 7th June. 10:00 AM.
