Friday, April 24, 19.30 Himmelssaal, Bremen
Equality and safety should never be a privilege—they should be a given. Yet, for many LGBTQ+ musicians, finding truly inclusive spaces in the jazz world and beyond is still a challenge. That’s why on Friday, April 24, Buma Cultuur and That Jazz Girl present Kaleidoscope Clubnight, the first-ever dedicated LGBTQ+ Clubnight event in the history of Jazzahead. A milestone moment: for the first time, the world’s largest jazz conference is prominently making space for LGBTQ+ artists.
Opened by New York Songwriting Competition runner-up Maaike den Dunnen’s Practicing Solitude, followed by acclaimed pianist Daan Herweg and closed by up-and-coming womxn/queer collective PARRA.DICE, Kaleidoscope is a night of top-notch music.
But Kaleidoscope is more than just a night of incredible jazz. It’s a statement. A celebration of tolerance, equality, and acceptance, amplified through music that speaks directly to the soul. The choice of venue—the Himmelssaal—adds weight to the message. Once a Nazi meeting space during World War II, it is now being reclaimed as a symbol of strength and solidarity. At a time when many LGBTQ+ individuals still don’t feel safe in their communities—let alone in the (inter)national jazz scene and beyond—this event serves as both a celebration and a call to action.
In collaboration with the Deutsche Jazz Union, we are exploring ways to extend this conversation to a panel discussion at Jazzahead on Saturday afternoon. But first, we celebrate the music and the ongoing fight for equality with a lineup that highlights the power and presence of the LGBTQ+ community.
Kaleidoscope is not a gimmick. Not a trend. Not an isolated event. It is a message: LGBTQ+ acceptance is not up for debate. Not here. Not at home. Not in the jazz community. Not ever.
Kaleidoscope 2025’s lineup is:
Maaike den Dunnen – Practicing Solitude
With her curly hair, bold presence, and an infectious energy, Maaike den Dunnen is a true force in the world of jazz. A singer-composer who makes jazz accessible and playful, yet always with integrity, humor is never far from her music. Her debut album, Arrival, marked the beginning of a journey that took her across 10 countries, performing at major jazz festivals like North Sea Jazz, Praha International Jazz, and Ubud Village Jazz Festival. She won two Downbeat Magazine awards for Outstanding Performance and shared the stage with jazz luminaries such as Dena DeRose, Mario Gonzi, and Renato Chicco. A finalist in the European Jazz Competition, Maaike has also performed as a soloist with the RTV Slovenian Radio Big Band and represented the Netherlands in the European Jazz Orchestra. Known not only for her voice but also for composing, arranging, and playing piano, she stands firmly within the jazz tradition while always exploring new paths, delivering each piece with a fresh twist of vocal improvisation.
Daan Herweg – In Search of the Lost Chord
Daan Herweg’s In Search of the Lost Chord (2024) is a genre-blurring masterpiece, blending pop, hip-hop, free improvisation, and classical influences into a distinctive sound where melody takes center stage. Following his 2014 debut Lucid Musings, Herweg's second album is the long-awaited product of a decade spent as a sought-after sideman and composer for artists like Caro Emerald, Pete Philly, Teus Nobel, and Henk Kraaijeveld. Despite writing #1 hits and playing the biggest stages, the desire to return as a bandleader remained. In Search of the Lost Chord is his answer, and it does not disappoint. With influences ranging from life’s beautiful moments to its struggles, Herweg pushes the boundaries of jazz, earning critical acclaim, including recognition from Dutch national radio NPO Soul & Jazz, which named it one of the best new releases of May 2024. Critics have praised him as “an ambassador for Dutch mainstream jazz,” but the real magic lies in hearing it for yourself.
PARRA.DICE – A Womxn/Queer Collective Delivering an Electrifying Performance
PARRA.DICE is a non-male, queer collective that electrifies audiences with an energy that’s impossible to ignore. Their performances evoke the feeling of a warm evening, the last rays of the sun mingling with the anticipation of adventure, a shared sense of freedom and openness. Formed in 2021, PARRA.DICE began with a desire to create music that transcends genre boundaries. The result is a vibrant, genre-defying sound that blends instruments, rhythms, and influences into a rich tapestry of sonic colors. Having performed at major festivals like Wildeburg, Into the Woods, ADE, and TivoliVredenburg, the collective released their debut EP ‘Au Revoir, Ooievaar!’ in a sold-out show at EKKO in Utrecht. PARRA.DICE’s music is a celebration of liberation, breaking free from genre limits and societal labels, offering a dynamic, playful ride across percussive rhythms and dynamic sounds, all laced with humor and heart.
