In the 1930s, a vibrant jazz scene flourished in Amsterdam, a city of immigrants, featuring artists from the United States, Suriname, Eastern Europe, and Amsterdam itself. Starting April 3, 2026, the Amsterdam City Archives presents a multimedia exhibition about this fascinating period: Jazz Years: People, Migration, and Music in Amsterdam, 1930-1939. The lives and networks of jazz musicians come to life in an exhibition filled with stories, photographs, paintings, photography, personal objects, film footage, and, of course, music. It demonstrates how jazz is not only a musical style but also a powerful symbol of encounter, exchange, and collaboration between cultures.
An international network of musicians
Jazz musicians like Freddy Johnson, Boy Edgar, Teddy Cotton, and Kid Dynamite lived and worked in Amsterdam in the 1930s. World stars like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Coleman Hawkins, and Cab Calloway also performed in the city during this period. Besides these well-known names, the exhibition also highlights lesser-known artists, including women like Rosie Poindexter, Alma Braaf, and Clara de Vries.
Vijzelstraat played a central role in the jazz scene. It housed residential areas and venues, such as the modern Carlton Hotel, where Louis Armstrong (1933) and Cab Calloway (1934) made their Dutch debut. Jazz clubs sprang up around Rembrandtplein, such as La Gaité in Tuschinski, The Palace, and the Kit Kat Club, introducing a broad Amsterdam audience to jazz.
A versatile exhibition
The exhibition at the City Archives focuses on international and local celebrities, their social circles, and networks. Besides musicians, it also features the stories of Afro-Surinamese and Afro-Caribbean sailors and theater makers. The presentation combines music, audiovisual material, photography from family archives, visual art, and unique archival material.
Musical and in-depth program
In addition to the exhibition, the City Archives is organizing a musical program with performances at various locations in Amsterdam, including ZOJazz Stage and the Conservatory of Amsterdam. There will also be lectures and discussions at the City Archives, including those by The Need for Legacy, to delve deeper into the stories. An accompanying book and music will also be released on vinyl.
