In the future, jazz music needs to be more highly regarded in the European Region Rhein-Maas than it now is. This was the goal in 2001of the jazz clubs from Aachen, Düren (2x), Eschweiler, Jülich, Würselen in Germany, Verviers in Belgium and the ''old style'' jazz club South Limburg in Heerlen and the jazz club Vaals 79 in the Netherlands and through cooperation established the''' European Jazz''.

We all had the same goal: promoting and broading the acceptance of jazz music inside the European Region. Why not go community wide? After many meetings, which finally led to an agreement concerning the text of the working together agreement. This agreement was finally confirmed and then translated into 3 languages and on the 23rd of April 2002 in the council room of the City Hall from Vaals officially signed. For this occasion the ''jazz lovers'' all received an invitation from the Mayor and hostess Monique Quint from Vaals to be present. She also made a speech to the members of this association.

It is gratifying to have received a grant from the city of Aachen for a community flyer. Also hereby opened doors, which until shortly were closed and we hope for the European jazz, that this will be an example to be followed in the future.

Are there still limits today?

Yes there are, in particular tax regulations in the three (3) different countries and how best to comply with these regulations. Exchanges between the jazz clubs on such problems is now well off the ground. Combined ''hiring'' of these orkestras for several performances has many advantages. Exchanging information about the quality of the orkestras that are on tour in the region is very important. There are many synergies that will help to improve and increase the quality of jazz in our European Region.

Now we have a total of eleven(11)jazz clubs with more than 800 members and thanks mainly to their efforts, yearly more than 300,000 spectators visit the various events in the region. Despite all the changes over the years, jazz music is still loved by young and old. This also means a new form of social leisure has been found.

With these kind of figures, the media should now be more inclined to give us the necessary publicity. For further information, please visit our home page: www.euregiojazz.de which is still in the development stages.