NICA live special

At the beginning of this year, NICA live special will take place for the fourth time in a row on the eve of WINTERJAZZ KOELN. A new feature this year is the expansion of the original concert evening into a mini-festival on two consecutive days, January 8 & 9, 2026. The cooperation between WINTERJAZZ KÖLN and NICA artist development has proven successful in recent years. The start of the year in Cologne has become increasingly attractive, especially for an international professional audience, with its three-day focus on the young, innovative improvisational music scene.

NICA artist development is a support program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for musicians from North Rhine-Westphalia who work in the field of jazz and contemporary music and want to advance their artistic profile and professionalization. NICA live special is the showcase festival of the NICA artist development program and always presents current projects and music by active NICA artists at the beginning of a new year. NICA live special is primarily reserved for national and international professional audiences. A few remaining seats can be reserved by interested guests.

Interested audiences can secure a ticket free of charge: