Jazz lovers in Poznań have been on tenterhooks, not knowing if the event would make a comeback. But it is now official: on 30 August, this much-loved Dixieland celebration is back, and this year it is rolling in with a cheeky theme "Train to New Orleans". You'll want to mark this one in your calendar. On the line-up: the Dutch Louis Armstrong Celebration Band, The Dixieland Messengers Prague from the Czech Republic, Poland's very own Boba Jazz Band, Dizzy Boyz Brass Band, Happy Jazz Band, and the festival's longtime hosts - Dixie Company, joined this time by special guest Patrycja Kubale. Keeping the energy high between sets, the Swing Craze dance troupe will be taking the tempo - and the mood - up a notch.
Things get underway at noon sharp outside the Summer Station (Dworzec Letni, on Dworcowa Street). A heritage train will set off for Swarzędz and back - carrying not just passengers, but live jazz bands playing on board throughout the ride. Then, at 2 pm, the Old Market Square will transform into a stage for a lively jazz parade.
Over at the Brovaria restaurant, festivalgoers can sit in on film screenings exploring Poznań's jazz roots. Meanwhile, younger fans can dive into the Little Jazz Academy, taking place at Pasaż Kultury, nestled between the Arsenal Gallery and the Greater Poland Military Museum. That is also where the day's centrepiece happens - the gala concert, running from 4 pm through to 10 pm.
Taking top billing this year? The Louis Armstrong Celebration Band, led by pianist Harry Kanters. This Dutch-Belgian quintet is a heartfelt tribute to Armstrong's legendary All Stars era. These aren't just any musicians - they are seasoned pros who guide their audiences through the golden age of traditional jazz, when the genre wasn't just making waves in the US, but had fans tapping their feet across the globe. Their gigs are lively, stylish, and so full of swing you'd swear Louis himself was about to stroll on stage.
Also headlining from abroad are The Dixieland Messengers Prague, who have been in the game for over 25 years. Their mission? Bringing the jazz and blues sounds of 1920s-1940s New Orleans to life with as much authenticity as possible. The group's dedication to the genre's Afro-American folk roots shows in their classic choice of instruments: trumpet, clarinet, trombone, upright bass, banjo, and percussion.
And of course, you can't overlook the local legends. Dixie Company have been on the circuit for over 30 years, with hundreds of gigs behind them both at home and internationally. Their back catalogue includes seven albums and collaborations with American jazz vocalists Diane Davidson and Donna Brown. They have proved their mettle with not one, but three US tours under their belt - and just this past May, they played at the Breda Jazz Festival, the second-biggest and arguably most prestigious jazz event in Europe.
The current line-up is a tight-knit crew of Poznań talent: Jakub Marszałek - trumpet, MC, Rafał Kubale - clarinet, Maciej Łakomy - trombone, Mariusz Gajdziel - double bass, Wojciech Warszawski - vocals, banjo, guitar, and Piotr Soroka - drums, washboard. So if you're looking for a deep cut of authentic, swinging jazz with a nostalgic twist and a whole lot of soul - you've got your ticket. Literally. All aboard.
Tomasz Janas
translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski
Poznań Old Jazz Festival
30 August
Free admission to all concerts
© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2025