Jazz originated in the United States. The Afro-American culture plays a central role in the origins of this music -and dance style. Jazz developed from the black folk music of the slums of New Orleans into an international music and dance style now performed by both black and white in some of the most prestigious venues of the world.

In the twenties jazz performers came to the Netherlands but years earlier you could hear Dutch-style Afro-American music which was the predecessor of jazz.

Around 1950 a complete Dutch jazz-subculture formed  in the Netherlands, which is still developing and flourishing  Important  Dutch orchestras in the history of  Dutch Jazz are: the Dutch Swing College Band, The Ramblers, Jazz Orchestra of the National  Concert Hall. Famous jazz artists  of today are: Rita Reys, Greetje Kauffeld, Michiel Borstlap, Denise Jannah, Laura Fygi, Wouter Hamel, Hans- en Candy Dulfer, Ronald Douglas and Trijntje Oosterhuis.

With the Jazz on the Riverbank there will be, for the first time in the Netherlands a  jazz club of world class. Well-known names in the jazz world will be performing and  with the close cooperation of the Music Conservatory the best jazz students will have a chance to perform live, giving them both national and International exposure.

The Club has the ambition to put Amsterdam firmly on the map of great Jazz Cities of the World!