About Us
Jazz On The Sofa is a jazz festival that focuses on jazz and world music, presented in a chamber music setting with mostly solo and duo performances. Living rooms and special spaces in and around the castle of Zeist are transformed into stages, offering an intimate experience of music.
This afternoon is synonymous with intimacy, personal connection, and excellence. The festival showcases a mix of renowned international artists, regional talent, and emerging musicians, illuminating the bright future of jazz.
Jazz On The Sofa is an initiative of the JAW-Z Foundation (Jazz and World Music Zeist), organized and produced by flautist, composer Mark Lotz.
For Musicians
Jazz On The Sofa is a chamber music festival located in a small town on the outskirts of the Netherlands. The festival features solo and duo performances within the jazz genre, with a special focus on local talent. We do not book drummers as part of our programming.
The festival relies on subsidies, which, unfortunately, are not a sustainable source of support. Each year, securing funding requires significant effort and remains a challenge. While we appreciate your interest and understand that all artists deserve a place in the festival, we ask you to consider that the chances of being booked are limited due to these constraints. We regret any disappointment this may cause. We assure you: it is never personal.
A suggestion we would like to offer: as musicians, we are the stewards of our art. We encourage you to engage with your local music community. Support it in any way possible—whether by offering advice, serving on boards within the industry (such as financial institutions, copyright organizations, or local councils), or actively participating in shaping the future of music. It is vital to take action and advocate for what we hold dear.
We are all in this together.
Best regards,
The Jazz On The Sofa Team & Mark Lotz
P.S. If you are based in the Netherlands, we urge you to join the BIM (Union for Improvising Musicians). Now is the time to show solidarity and find strength in unity. (In fact, this might be the first thing we will ask you and make research on: are you a member of a union for musicians!)