The European Jazz Conference 2025, held in Bari from 25–28 September, closed with outstanding results, confirming its place as one of the most important annual meeting for professionals in jazz and creative music in Europe and beyond.
This year’s edition brought together 391 registered professionals from 38 countries, including promoters, festival directors, venue managers, artists’ representatives, and cultural organisations. Over 100 artists performed during the conference days, with showcases and a vibrant fringe festival that filled Bari’s theatres and public spaces in the evenings with music.
Under the theme “Somewhere Called Home”, the programme combined keynote speeches, panels, workshops, and networking sessions offering a forward-looking perspective on the challanges and opportunities of today’s music sector. Some of its most pressing issues were discussed during the conference days– from migration, sustainability and social impact to burnout, innovation, and the transformative role of culture. The conference was opened by Nabil Bey Salameh with his keynote “Home in the In-Between” (click on the title for the full keynote text), a poetic and political reflection on the meaning of “home” for those who live between worlds. Alongside the debates, a rich concert programme showcased both established and emerging voices from the Italian and in particular the Puglia jazz scenes, offering delegates and the wider public a vibrant and diverse musical journey.
The event was organised by Europe Jazz Network and Puglia Culture, within the framework of Puglia Sounds project, and with the support of Regione Puglia, in collaboration with Comune di Bari. Media partners included Rai Radio 3, with a national broadcast of the whole final night of the fringe festival live on its channel, and Rai Puglia. Europe Jazz Network and its activities are co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
The success of the Bari edition continues the tradition of a conference that has grown steadily since its launch in 2014, each year strengthening international connections, inspiring new projects, and affirming the central role of jazz and creative music in shaping more inclusive and resilient societies.
Please SAVE THE DATE for the next European Jazz Conference: 24 to 27 September 2026 in Cologne, Germany, co-organised by EJN with our members Cologne Jazzweek, Stadtgarten, Monheim Triennale.
