Looking for the perfect summer evening filled with rhythm, greenery, and soul? The Blue Summer Jazz Festival 2025 brings the iconic atmosphere of Blue Note Poznań into the open air. Set under the July sky in the park next to Stary Browar, this two-day festival promises international stars, local legends, and world-class music — all just a short stroll from the city center.
A City in Tune with Summer
When the renowned Blue Note club takes a break from its usual indoor concerts for the summer, it doesn’t mean the music stops. For one weekend each summer, Poznań’s most beloved jazz venue steps outside to present the Blue Summer Jazz Festival 2025. On July 26–27, the park next to Stary Browar becomes a stage for soulful expression, improvisation, and groove-driven rhythms, attracting some of the most talented names in jazz and soul from around the globe.
This year’s edition promises to be more expansive and exciting than ever: the lineup is as rich and diverse as the genre itself.
Blue Note Under the Sky
As Blue Note manager Tomek Rassek puts it:
In summer, the club pauses — but not the music. We’re bringing our stage to the park for a weekend full of the most beautiful and diverse jazz sounds: from soul, through fusion, to hip-hop groove.
It’s a mission the Blue Summer Jazz Festival 2025 clearly takes to heart. The event will feature Anna Maria Jopek and her acclaimed project Przestworza, which gathers a dream team of Polish musicians including Piotr Wojtasik, Dominik Wania, Maciej Sikała, and Atom String Quartet. But that’s only the beginning!
The headliners include Elipsis — a brand-new international trio composed of giants: Michael League (founder of Snarky Puppy), Antonio Sánchez (Oscar-winning composer of the Birdman soundtrack), and Cuban percussion master Pedrito Martínez. It’s a rare opportunity to witness this world-class collaboration in Poland.
Joining them is Brian Jackson, a jazz-soul pioneer best known for his legendary albums with Gil Scott-Heron. Jackson will perform alongside Poland’s own jazz innovators EABS, blending generations and styles in a one-of-a-kind performance that marries American soul-jazz heritage with contemporary Polish creativity.
Also taking the stage is Mica Millar, the London-based queen of modern soul, whose intimate spring concert at Blue Note left audiences spellbound. Her return promises more groove, elegance, and heart.
From Hungary comes Jazzbois, a Budapest trio known for their infectious fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and electronica. Fresh from a standout performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival and a sold-out European tour, they’re bringing their signature bounce to the Poznań stage.
A Homegrown Favourite: Blue Jazz Orchestra
No Blue Note event would be complete without Blue Jazz Orchestra, a powerhouse ensemble made up of Poznań’s finest musicians. Known for blending the bold sound of classic big band with fresh arrangements, they’ve shared the stage with vocal icons like Dorota Miśkiewicz and Monika Borzym. This year, they’ll present a tribute to the genre-bending compositions of Jacob Mann, one of today’s most original big-band composers.
As Joanna Tupalska, Marketing Director of Stary Browar, notes:
Cultural events in our park have become a symbol of Poznań summers. We’re proud to host this musical celebration with Blue Note, creating a true postcard moment for the city.
Blue Summer Jazz Festival 2025 – Schedule
Saturday, July 26
- 18:00 – Gates Open
- 18:30 – Jazzbois
- 19:45 – EABS & Brian Jackson
- 21:00 – Mica Millar
Sunday, July 27
- 18:00 – Gates Open
- 18:30 – Blue Jazz Orchestra
- 19:45 – Anna Maria Jopek: Przestworza
- 21:15 – Elipsis
Festivalgoers can expect a laid-back, intimate setting with unnumbered seating and the option to bring blankets and sit on the grass. It’s music in its most natural form — shared in the open, under the trees, and among fellow jazz lovers. Tickets (including day passes and weekend passes) are available at www.bluesummerjazz.pl. Children under 6 enter free, and there’s a 50% discount for kids aged 7–12.
A Legacy That Lives and Evolves
For over 25 years, Blue Note has been more than just a music venue — it’s a cultural cornerstone of Poznań. Housed in the historic imperial boiler room beneath the Zamek Cultural Center, the club has welcomed legends like Tomasz Stańko, Mike Stern, Cindy Blackman-Santana, and Pat Metheny. Today, it continues to host everything from rap and R&B parties to classical jazz concerts and live funk nights.
Blue Note remains a meeting point of generations and styles, where young musicians debut and masters reinvent their sound. The Blue Summer Jazz Festival 2025 is an extension of that spirit — an invitation to experience music not only as a performance but as a celebration of place, time, and community.
So if you’re in Poznań this July and wondering how to spend a summer evening — look no further: the Blue Summer Jazz Festival 2025 will once again breathe music into the city’s heart!
