About Red Light Jazz
The Red Light Jazz Festival is an international jazz event that has taken place since 2014 in and around Amsterdam’s iconic Red Light District. Founded by localentrepreneurs, this annual multi-day festival aims to revive the rich jazz history of theold city centre and to build bridges between long-standing and new business owners, as well as between residents and visitors to the area.
Red Light Jazz provides a platform for both established and emerging jazz artists from aroundthe world. Performances take place at a variety of unique venues in the Red Light District, including Casa Rosso, Casablanca, the Olof Chapel, Hotel Prins Hendrik, the SalvationArmy’s Corps Hall, Paleis van de Weemoed, the Bulldog Hotel, and the Waalse Kerk.
The event highlights the historical connection between Amsterdam and jazz, with special attention to jazz icons like trumpeter Chet Baker and saxophonist Kid Dynamite, both of whom are inextricably linked to Amsterdam’s jazz history.
Since its inception, Red Light Jazz, with its many live performances at dozens of venues over several days—has grown into a major cultural event in the capital.
In addition to its cultural enrichment, the appeal of Red Light Jazz lies in its connection withlocal communities, achieved through collaboration with entrepreneurs, cultural organizations, and residents. The festival stimulates the local economy, especially during the vibrant festival weekend.
Red Light Jazz has received financial support from the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts (AFK) for several years, with the AFK noting that the festival ‘contributes to Amsterdam’s allure as a city with a long jazz history and effectively engages both neighbourhood residents and localentrepreneurs.
To summarise, Red Light Jazz is more than just a musical event; it is a celebration of Amsterdam’s rich jazz heritage, presenting the old city centre in a positive and cultural light. Through its unique combination of music, special performance locations, and the iconicneighbourhood, the festival has firmly rooted itself in Amsterdam’s cultural landscape.
