Held since 2009 by Gütersloh’s cultural department, Jazz in Gütersloh is an annual series featuring eight concerts each in the Theater and Stadthalle’s halls in the city center. Originating from an earlier youth culture jazz initiative in 1981, the series has grown into a refined showcase of European jazz talent and occasional global names, including ensembles like NYC Trio and artists from the WDR 3 Jazz Festival. With modern architecture, stellar acoustics, and immersive soundcheck sessions and masterclasses, the festival fosters an intimate, high-quality musical dialogue between artists and audiences, combining tradition with forward-thinking jazz.