Jazz-Con to Address Shifting Economics of the Jazz World

By DownBeat I Aug. 12, 2025

“Where the Future of Jazz Is Made” is the theme of Jazz-Con 2025.
(Photo: Courtesy Jazz-Con 2025)

Jazz-Con 2025, a fully virtual, multilingual music business event designed specifically for independent jazz, classical and genre-crossing artists, will take place Sept. 15–16. Bringing together over 50 speakers from 11 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia, the conference will focus on streaming strategy, metadata, publishing, tech innovation and career sustainability. Its online format welcomes musicians, entrepreneurs, educators, executives and jazz advocates from across continents, time zones and backgrounds for two days of panels, keynotes, discussions and virtual networking.

Under a theme of “Where the Future of Jazz Is Made,” this year’s program includes sessions in English, Spanish and Japanese, with real-time captioning in 20-plus languages. It will feature voices from Youtube, Deezer, Pandora, Bandcamp and Virgin Music that have never previously participated in any jazz conferences, presented alongside jazz labels, working artists, festival directors and cultural advocates.

“Jazz-Con reflects the shifting economics of the jazz world — that why it’s being called ‘the South by Southwest for jazz and classical music,’” said Executive Director Jerald Miller. “The conference is reshaping how jazz and classical musicians engage with the global industry, and it addresses the urgent need for business literacy in jazz education and professional development.”

Jazz-Con is co-produced by Jazz Metroplex in Dallas and the Nu Jazz Agency in New York City, with support from artists, institutions and presenters worldwide.

For a list of confirmed speakers scheduled to make presentations during Jazz-Con 2025, CLICK HERE. To view a promotional video titled “Jazz-Con 2025 | The Turning Point That Re-Made Jazz Forever,” CLICK HERE. To register for this year’s conference, visit jazz-con.com. DB