Sebastian writes: 

The 40 bands who have been successful and will be performing in the 40 showcase slots have been announced today. 21 of the 40 bands are led by women.

They were drawn from a record number of applicants: 816, after 764 in 2019. The full list is below. UK readers will be pleased to see the names of Julia Biel, Camilla George, and  the London-based Red Kite. Etuk Ubong, pictured below, was reviewed by John L Walters for us.

Sybille Kornitschky who runs jazzahead! for MESSE BREMEN, commented: “jazzahead! has repeatedly proved that it can be the launchpad both for up-and-coming and for established artists from all over the world into the markets of Germany and Europe, and also for bands from our continent into the wider world.”

LIST

Canadian Night (Canada is 2020 partner country)

Audrey Ochoa (CA)
Carrier, Lambert, Edwards (CA)
François Bourassa Quartet (CA)
Itamar Erez quartet (CA)
Larnell Lewis (CA)
Marianne Trudel + John Hollenbeck: Dédé Java Espiritu (CA)
Silvervest (CA)
Steph Richards (CA)

German Jazz Expo

Heidi Bayer’s “Virtual Leak” (DE)
Hendrika Entzian+ (DE)
Johanna Summer (DE)
Nau Trio (DE)
NIAQUE (DE)
The True Harry Nulz (DE)
Tilo Weber Quartet “Four Fauns” (DE)
Tobias Meinhart – BERLIN PEOPLE (DE)

Etuk Ubong. Publicity piicture.

Overseas Night

Badi Assad (BR)
Connie Han Trio (US)
ESCALANDRUM (AR)
Etuk Ubong (above) (NG)
Faraj Suleiman (PS)
Melissa Aldana (US/CL)
Ron Minis Trio (IL)
SooJin Suh Chordless Quartet (KR)

European Jazz Meeting

Camilla George (GB)
Guy Salamon Group (NL)
JULIA BIEL (GB)
KAMA Kollektiv (NL)
Kasia Pietrzko Trio (PL)
Kristina Barta Event Horizon (CZ)
LRK Trio (RU)
Luzia von Wyl Ensemble (CH)

Macha Gharibian. Publicity photo

Macha Gharibian (FR)
Nefertiti Quartet (FR)
Red Kite (DK/GB)
Rembrandt Frerichs Trio (NL)
Sun-Mi Hong Quintet (NL)
Synesthetic 4 (AT)
Théo Ceccaldi Trio (FR)
Torun Eriksen (NO)