International Jazz Festivals Organization

International Jazz Festivals Organization

History

The history of IJFO goes back almost 45 years: Major European jazz festivals promoters (Paul Acket, Norbert Gamsohn, Jyrki Kangas, Claude Nobs and Fritz Thom) met in Paris in 1982 to discuss a tour with Miles Davis.

Three promoters emerged 1982 out of this Paris meeting as the core of what became the EJFO (European Jazz Festivals Organization): Paul Acket † (North Sea), Jyrki Kangas † (Pori) and Fritz Thom (Vienna).

In 1988, the 3 founders invited 7 European jazz festivals to meet in New York, among them were Molde, North Sea, Pori, Vienna (Austria) and Vitoria. This was the birth of the EJFO. Shortly after that, Umbria Jazz and Vienne (France) joined, followed a bit later by Istanbul and Montreux.

After Montreal joined the organization a few years after, the time was finally right in 2002, after Monterey and Vancouver came on board, for the original European association to go international.

This was the birth of the IJFO – the International Jazz Festivals Organization.

Activities

The IJFO is an informal umbrella organization to currently 16 leading jazz festivals worldwide. The members do not compete territorially and are situated at times which allow for the touring of common projects.

Synergies are developed during two annual meetings: September – roundup and industry presentations (in London during IFF) and in January – industry presentations (in New York City during APAP).

Contact & Coordination

Office:
office@ijfo.org

Chairman of IJFO is Founding Member Mr. Fritz Thom – Vienna.
fthom@viennajazz.org

Coordinator of IJFO activities is Ms. Annika Larsson of Umbria Jazz.
annika.larsson@umbriajazz.com