Markus Stockhausen is considered an outstanding musical personality. His quartet, the Markus Stockhausen Group will, to great delight, play the jazzahead! opening ceremony. This year’s motto is “Close together from afar.” We are moving closer together in these special times and enjoy the music as much as ever, as for the first time we celebrate a collaboration on International Jazz Day. As a special guest, Dee Dee Bridgewater will therefore speak on behalf of the UNESCO initiative. Further words of welcome will come from, among others: Prof. Monika Grütters, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. Join us digitally at jazzahead! 2021.