Free Accessible Spring Jazz+ Talent Lab Day in Rotterdam: Musicians Can Participate
24 February 2026
On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Muziekwerf, North Sea Round Town, and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NJJO) are jointly organizing the Spring Jazz+ Talent Lab Day in Rotterdam. During this day, the focus is on bringing together young musicians, creators, and music lovers. The Talent Lab Day explicitly focuses on meeting, exchanging, and making music together: visitors can not only listen but also actively participate in workshops and the open jam session. Access to the full programme below is free.
Practical information
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Location: Muziekwerf, Haagseveer 4, Rotterdam
Times: 11:00 AM – approx. 10:00 PM
Admission: free
More information: www.njjo.nl
The day takes place at the Muziekwerf and is led by guitarist and composer Reinier Baas, a two-time Edison winner and this year’s recipient of the Boy Edgar Prize, the most prestigious Dutch award for jazz musicians. Together with, among others, saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Mete Erker, who has been active for years as an inspirer and mentor of young talent, creators are given the space to share ideas and develop new repertoire, musicians the stage to collaborate, while visitors can experience how music is created.
Full programme
Morning
Room: Public rehearsal of the 9th edition of the NJJO under the direction of Reinier Baas, with a guest contribution from Mete Erker.
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Afternoon
Small hall (1st floor): Open Jam Session
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM led by NJJO IX members: Romain Gachot (trumpet) and Max van Houtum (sax)
Classroom (1st floor): Arranging/Composing
2:30 PM – 2:50 PM Workshop Arranging: Young Arrangers NJJO, Linde Geboers and Harm Kolen
15:50 – 16:45 Masterclass composing by Reinier Baas and Mete Erker
Practice room (1st floor): Workshops
2:50 PM – 3:10 PM Workshop Sara Brinkman (NNJO IX). Harp: the flexibility of and composing with the harp and thereby expanding the possibilities
3:10 PM – 3:30 PM Workshop Lezaam Beets (NJJO IX). Trombone: the basic principles of playing brass and advanced techniques associated with it
3:30 PM – 3:50 PM Workshop Ton Felices (NJJO IX). Double bass: playing with sound thru effects and how to use this in composing
Evening
Room: Concerts
7:30 PM: Opening act: NJJO IX spin-off bands
8:00 PM: Reinier Baas & NJJO IX
With thanks to: Sena, Buma Cultuur, NORMA, Cultuurfonds, Dioraphte, JCP, Zabawas, and Stichting Droom en Daad.