Jazz Congress 2025
Europe & U.S.: Exchanges in Jazz will delve into cultural exchanges in jazz between the U.S. and Europe, with American and European programmers sharing their insights, best practices, and answering audience questions during a dedicated Q&A session.
This discussion is part of Jazz Congress 2025, the leading event for jazz professionals organized by Jazz at Lincoln Center. The series returns from January 8th to 9th with workshops, panels, and networking opportunities, all focused on expanding the global audience for jazz. Attendees include presenters, artists, managers, agents, journalists, radio programmers, and other key figures in the industry.
The two-day event features an array of engaging discussions, from exploring how AI can enhance the work of programmers to conversations with jazz icons Dee Dee Bridgewater, Patrice Rushen, and Lakecia Benjamin. Attendees will also enjoy an exceptional concert honoring guitarist Russell Malone, with an all-star lineup that includes Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Diana Krall, the Monty Alexander Trio, John Clayton, Benny Green, and many more.
Interested in attending Jazz Congress 2025? See the full lineup of events here, and don’t miss the panel on Europe & U.S.: Exchanges in Jazz on January 9th at 10:30am at the Varis Leichtman Recording Studio. Find more information about the panelists below.
Moderator
Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director, SummerStage, Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
For over 20 years, Elliott has led SummerStage programming, giving a platform and visibility to artists and communities, celebrating their art, and making culture accessible to all New Yorkers across the five boroughs. With over 30 years in New York’s cultural scene, she has worked with organizations like Loud Records, RCA Music Group, S.O.B.’s, and The William Morris Agency, helping to showcase the early careers of artists such as Ledisi, John Legend, Kanye West, and Eminem.
Panelists
Jordana Leigh, Vice President Artistic Programming, Lincoln Center
Before joining Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where she held multiple roles, Leigh worked as an independent consultant for various companies and organizations. At Lincoln Center, they curated and produced over 1,000 performances featuring artists from more than 100 nations, developed 11 series, and commissioned nearly 50 works. Leigh also co-founded The African Contemporary Arts Consortium, fostering artistic and cultural exchange between the U.S. and Africa.
Maurin Auxéméry, Director of Programming, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the Francos
Immersed in jazz from a young age, thanks to his jazz-enthusiast father and growing up near Marsiac, a French town renowned for its jazz festival, Maurin Auxéméry pursued a Master of Arts in Marketing and Management at the Rennes School of Business. For over a decade, he has been part of Équipe Spectra, contributing to the success of major events like the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Les Francofolies de Montréal, and Montréal en Lumière. In 2022, he was appointed Director of Programming.
Sébastien Vidal, Artistic Director, Duc des Lombards, Nice Jazz Fest, Django Reinhardt Fest; Director, TSF Jazz
A central figure in French jazz, Vidal is the artistic director of the Parisian jazz club Le Duc des Lombards, where artists from around the world come to perform. Abroad, he actively contributes to promoting and disseminating work from the French jazz scene, particularly in New York, where he organizes the annual French Quarter jazz festival. He contributes more broadly to spreading jazz in his role as director of TSFJAZZ, a jazz radio station boasting more than 430,000 listeners daily, and by organizing several mainstream jazz festivals.
Reiner Michalke, Artistic and Managing Director, Monheim Triennale – European Jazz Network member
After a career as a musician, Michalke has held leadership roles in festivals and cultural institutions. Since 2018, he has directed the Monheim Triennale, a festival dedicated to showcasing innovative artistic approaches in improvised, composed, and popular music. He previously led the Stadtgarten in Cologne, the European Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music, from 1986 to 2022, and served as Artistic Director of the Moers Festival from 2006 to 2016.
Be a part of the conversation shaping the future of jazz. Secure your spot today!