Amman Jazz Returns: Empowering the Music Ecosystem Through Exchange, Talks, and Music

Amman Jazz Returns: Empowering the Music Ecosystem Through Exchange, Talks, and Music

From 3 to 6 September 2025, Amman Jazz (AJ) will return with a new edition, bringing together artists and professionals from Jordan, Palestine, the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region, Europe and the diaspora. At a time of continuing conflicts, wars and injustice across the region, the festival offers a space to reflect on the role of arts and music as tools for resilience and solidarity. Its 2025 vision emphasizes the importance of empowering the music ecosystem, enabling artists to build sustainable careers, fostering collaborations, and ensuring diverse voices are heard. In line with this vision, Amman Jazz 2025 integrates performances, discussions, and professional exchanges through a partnership with its sister programs, Amman Music Talks and Exchange Music Lab.

The evening performances, taking place at Swefieh Village rooftop (3, 5, 6 September), will be opened by Hind Hamed, a strong voice of Jordan's contemporary music scene, setting the tone for an edition rooted in local talent and connected to regional and international collaborations. The program features Zaid Hilal (Palestine), Lynn Adib (Syria/France), Neco Novellas (Mozambique/Netherlands) feat. Yousef Musharbash (Jordan), Bugge Wesseltoft (Norway), feat. Yazan Sarayrah & Rula Barghouthi (Jordan), Kristina Issa (Sweden/Syria), Sami Galbi (Switzerland/Morocco), Studio 23 (Jordan) and the Pietro Santangelo Quintet (Italy), alongside the Exchange Music Lab showcase with Barina Abaza, Arsee, Badleh, Ayhamita, Abed, Mohannad Austa, and Altrivers, with guest Imed Alibi (Tunisia/France).

The conference program, which will be held at Manara Arts and Culture (4-5 September), will feature panels, workshops, speed meetings, and networking. It will explore topics such as the changing music ecosystem in the SWANA region, resistance and survival under regional crisis, conscious programming and representation, crafting identity beyond genres, and cross-sector collaboration between music and film.

Since its creation, Amman Jazz has become a platform for independent music and musicians in Jordan and the region. The 2025 edition continues this trajectory, and in collaboration with its partner projects Amman Music Talks and Exchange Music Lab, the event brings together artists from Jordan and Palestine alongside regional, European, and diaspora voices, united by the belief that music can build connections, inspire reflection, and strengthen resilience in challenging times.

The joint program of Amman Jazz, Amman Music Talks and Exchange Music Lab 2025 is realized through funding from the European Union, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Swedish and Norwegian Embassies, EUNIC, the Institut français de Jordanie, the French Embassy, the Dutch Embassy, the Italian Embassy and Pro Helvetia Cairo, Swiss Arts Council. In partnership with Swefieh Village and Manara.