Jury

To be announced

Lydia van Dam

Lydia van Dam studied at the Hilversum Conservatorium with Jerry van Rooyen, Marjorie Barnes, Greetje Kauffeld, Deborah Brown and Gé Titulaer. Even as a student she already performed with renowned orchestras, such as the WDR Big Band conducted by Jerry van Rooyen, the Skymasters and the Metropole Orchestra. With the Glenn Miller Revival Orchestra she toured Europe and Japan for two years. Lydia is a voice teacher at the conservatories of Amsterdam and Utrecht.

Lucas van Merwijk

Lucas van Merwijk has been at the forefront of the European jazz, latin and percussion scene for over 25 years. He works as a drummer and percussionist with numerous groups and artists in the Netherlands and Europe.

Koen Nederstigt

Koen Nederstigt studied Musicology at the University of Amsterdam, specializing in jazz and music cognition. During his studies, he was active as a programmer for a fringe festival in Leiden, completed an internship at a record label in Amsterdam, and volunteered at various festivals including ITGWO, Summerjazz, and the Grachtenfestival. Koen has been involved with the North Sea Jazz Festival for many years as a programming assistant and advises the programming team, particularly on the new generation of jazz musicians.

Tineke Postma

Saxophonist and composer Tineke Postma, Rising Star for soprano saxophone in the American Downbeat Polls 2019, tours internationally as a leader and featured guest. She released seven albums as a leader, which have been received with great critical international acclaim. Tineke appears on numerous albums as a guest soloist.

Harmen Fraanje

Harmen Fraanje is a Dutch pianist, composer, and educator known for his improvisational style. He leads and co-leads multiple projects, including his solo work, Reijseger Fraanje Sylla, and collaborations with artists like Arve Henriksen and Magic Malik. Active in the European jazz scene, he has performed with Mats Eilertsen, Eric Vloeimans, and Michael Moore. His recordings appear on ECM, Winter & Winter, and more. As chairman of the Jazz Piano Faculty at the Conserva- torium van Amsterdam, he also teaches workshops across Europe.

International Final

Frank van Berkel

Since 2018, Frank van Berkel has been the programmer at BIMHUIS. A former perfor- mer in bands like Nine Tobs and the Schismatics, he previously programmed for Jazz International Rotterdam (2006–2017) and Lux Nijmegen. He also coached young musicians and served as financial director of the New Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra.

Zack Lober

Zack Lober is a Netherlands-based bassist and composer. He co-founded the jazz group The Story and leads The Ancestry Project, blending music and video with turntables. His trio NO FILL3R, featuring Sun-Mi Hong and Suzan Veneman, will record its second album in April 2025.

Maite Hontelé

A Dutch trumpeter, built a renowned Latin music career in Colombia, performing with legends like Rubén Blades and Gilberto Santa Rosa. A Latin Grammy nominee, she returned to the flugelhorn in 2023 and started conducting the NJJO. She also hosts music programs on Dutch TV.

Jonas Burgwinkel

Jonas Burgwinkel is an internationally acclaimed jazz drummer known for his innovative style, blending classic jazz with avant-garde improvisation. Winner of prestigious awards like the ECHO JAZZ and WDR Jazzpreis, he has recorded over 50 albums and performed worldwide with legends like John Scofield, Chris Potter, and Uri Caine.

Michelle Kuypers

Michelle is programme manager and talent buyer at North Sea Jazz/MOJO, responsible for programming, talent buying, Paul Acket Award, Composition Project, Look and Feel, Art Expo. Also: concert promoting and jazz bookings at Dutch clubs and festivals throughout the year.

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