Leverkusener Jazztage

In 1992, his first album Blufunk Is a Fact propelled him onto the international scene, carried by the global hit ‘Rhythm Is Love’. Over the course of his six studio albums, he added memorable tracks such as ‘Where Is Life’, ‘A Million Miles From Home’ and ‘Beautiful Emilie’ to his repertoire.

Jazz Sabbath is a jazz band that claims to have been on the scene since 1968. The trio presents itself with a mischievous and ingenious claim: to be the true authors of the songs that later became famous thanks to the pioneers of heavy metal, Black Sabbath.

Rapturous Apollo Helios, aka R.A.H., has established himself as one of the most notable rappers, songwriters and singers in the German capital. He draws inspiration from his Nigerian roots and Afro-descendant music, ranging from hip hop to soul and Afrobeat. In Leverkusen, he takes to the stage alongside the Ruffcats.

His performance with the WDR Big Band at the Leverkusen Jazz Days is a premiere and an absolute highlight, with which the Leverkusen Jazz Days 2025 will open their festival.

Kokoroko was formed in 2014 by trumpeter and bugle player Sheila Maurice-Grey. During a trip to Kenya, the musician realised that the Afrobeat she grew up with in England had little in common with the sounds of the genre that became popular in Africa in the 1970s. This revelation shaped her musical approach.

At the Leverkusen Jazz Festival, Alma Naidu performs on the piano- her favourite instrument- accompanied by a string quartet.

In 1996, childhood friends Mulo Francel and Didi Lowka founded the ensemble Quadro Nuevo with two other musicians. Since then, the quartet has traveled the world, from Helsinki to Hong Kong via New York and the Caucasus. It has won two Echo Awards, a gold record, the German Record Critics' Award, and several Jazz Awards.