The spotlight for this year’s North Sea Jazz Festival (NSJF), taking place from July 11-13 at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Centre, is on the iconic Diana Ross, known as the “Queen of Motown,” who will perform on the festival’s closing night. Joining her on Sunday is the acclaimed Norah Jones, whose recent album Vision earned a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

The festival, which showcases a mix of genres including jazz, blues, soul, and pop, will also feature a diverse lineup of artists such as the Ezra Collective, Samara Joy, Julian Lage, Tigran Hamasyan, Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets (honoring Weather Report), Avishai Cohen, Jazzmeia Horn, the Lionel Hampton Big Band (with Jason Marsalis), and saxophonists like Kamasi Washington, Immanuel Wilkins, Branford Marsalis, and Lakecia Benjamin.

Established in 1976 by Paul Acket, the North Sea Jazz Festival gained fame in the 1980s for offering a rich variety of jazz performances over three days, featuring legendary artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Keith Jarrett, and Oscar Peterson. The festival’s legacy also includes memorable appearances by icons like Miles Davis, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Amy Winehouse, and Adele.

Tickets for NSJF 2025 can be purchased at northseajazz.com/en/tickets.

Friday, July 11: Mary J Blige, Avishai Cohen Quartet, Branford Marsalis Quartet, DeWolff, Ezra Collective, Jacob Collier (artist in residence), Jordan Rakei, Judith Hill, Julian Lage, Madeleine Peyroux, Omah Lay, Victor Ray.

Saturday, July 12: Aja Monet, Fujii Kaze, Ghost-Note, Jacob Collier (artist in residence), Joe Bonamassa & Metropole Orkest, Jonathan Jeremiah, Lionel Hampton Big Band featuring Jason Marsalis, Mary Halvorson Amaryllis Sextet, Maxwell, Naomi Sharon, Samara Joy.

Sunday, July 13: Anoushka Shankar, Diana Ross, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, Jacob Collier (artist in residence), Jazzmeia Horn, Jorja Smith, Kamasi Washington, Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets celebrate Weather Report, Lady Blackbird, Lakecia Benjamin, Norah Jones, Thee Sacred Souls, Tigran Hamasyan.