In the organizer's words:

Swing time! It's swinging, grooving and jazzing again: on May 8, 2026, the Glen Buschmann Jazz Academy Dortmund presents the "Best of Jazz Academy 2026" in the main hall of the Keuning.haus. Various ensembles, lecturers and students will show what they are made of - from solo acts to big bands.

Including: the GBJA Masterclass, award-winning singer Daria Pereverzeva, Kimberly Helen Kurz, 16-year-old drummer Florian Gasse, 13-year-old trombonist Finn Preuss, the digital programming ensemble, the GBJA Big Band Dortmund and almost all other ensemble sections of the Jazz Academy led by lecturers Orest Filipov, Hans Wanning, Ingo Senst, Philipp Hayduk, Evgeny Ring and Uwe Plath. The GBJA Dortmund continues to support young jazz musicians from the refugee areas of Ukraine.

A wide variety of jazz styles and international guests promise an entertaining, varied and sometimes thought-provoking evening with many new talents and great entertainment.

Founded in 1996 and awarded the WDR Jazz Prize, the GBJA stands for excellent teaching, great talent and living jazz enthusiasm in Dortmund and beyond.