In the mid-1970s, the jazz scene in the GDR truly flourished. This is evidenced not only by the Leipzig Jazz Festival and the Jazzwerkstatt Peitz, which were launched during those years.

The Freiberg Jazz Festival also contributed to the popularization of jazz during that period. After the IG Jazz was founded in 1960 and began organizing regular concerts, the first edition of the festival took place in 1972—one year, or rather four years, before Peitz and Leipzig! Among the acts in the lineup was the Jazz Trio Praha, which included a certain Jiří Stivín, who would later emerge as one of the most famous Czech jazz musicians.

But there’s no need for nostalgia—because the present has no reason to hide in the shadow of the past. And so, for the 50th anniversary edition, the Diego Pinera Quartet, Odd Wisdom, Chris Jarrett, and The Sax Puppets, among others, are expected in the mining town. Well then: Good luck—or rather: Let’s get the jazz going!