Jasper Somsen has been involved as director, production coordinator, and/or programmer in:
2025 Dinner On The Dike XL
One of the most successful events during the Wageningen Culture Summers in 2023 and 2024 was Dinner on the Dike. Approximately 1,000 visitors enjoyed a freshly prepared, delicious world-inspired meal, engaging conversations, and live music during sunset—on the Wageningen Grebbedijk along the River Rhine.
In 2025, Jasper served as production coordinator for Dinner On The Dike XL. On behalf of organizer Food of Cultures, he was the central coordinator in the first collaboration with the General Introduction Days of Wageningen University & Research. With 3,000 visitors, the event sold out. People from all walks of life enjoyed performances by around 30 musicians between 750 meters of long tables. As in previous editions, 200 tickets were made available free of charge to people with limited financial means and residents of the asylum seekers’ center, ensuring that no one had to remain on the sidelines.
Info >> Media coverage NRC (NL)
Info >> Media coverage TV Gelderland (NL)
2020-2024 Wageningse Cultuurzomer
In 2020, Jasper Somsen initiated the first Wageningen Culture Summer. The broad arts and culture festival aimed to bring local artists/performers and audiences together during the COVID-19 crisis. Under Jasper’s leadership as director of the Cultuurstad Wageningen Foundation, the Wageningen Culture Summer grew into the second-largest festival in Wageningen. In 2023 and 2024, the four-week festival attracted 17,000 visitors, with 28 organizers producing approximately 100 events, including performing arts, outdoor cinema, an arts and culture market, visual art exhibitions, literary events, experimental art and culture projects, socially engaged art initiatives, and collaborations with external partners (such as the international exhibition Beelden op de Berg and the Children’s Culture Summer). Due to the loss of subsidies and insufficient financial resources, a sixth edition did not take place in 2025.
Info >> Media coverage Stad Wageningen (NL)
2014-heden Jasper Somsen Invites …
Since 2014, Jasper has organized his concert series Jasper Somsen Invites …, hosting more than 120 jazz musicians across approximately 60 concerts. Leading figures from the Dutch jazz scene have taken the stage at Café Loburg (Wageningen), including Benjamin Herman, Yuri Honing, Mike Boddé, Anna Serierse, Maria Mendes, Jasper Blom, Toon Roos, Paulus Schäfer, Joost Lijbaart, Angelo Verploegen, Rik Mol, Jeroen van Vliet, and American saxophonist Bob Sheppard.
Live recordings in 2023 and 2024 resulted in the album releases Jasper Somsen Invites … Paul van der Feen & Bert van den Brink and Jasper Somsen Invites … Anton Goudsmit Live! (Challenge Records). The series is made possible through collaboration with Jazz in Wageningen.
2009-2019 Jazz in Wageningen
For ten years, Jasper was one of the driving forces behind the successful Jazz in Wageningen concert series as (co-)initiator, board member, programmer, and head of production. Through his global network, the initially small national concert series—held in the Capitulation Hall of Hotel de Wereld—grew into an international stage at Theater Junushoff.
World wide renowned jazz musicians such as Ron Carter, Perez/Patitucci/Blade, Richard Bona, Yellowjackets, John & Gerald Clayton, Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, Jeff Lorber, Joey Calderazzo, Billy Cobham, Enrico Pieranunzi, Jean-Michel Pilc, Bob Sheppard, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans, and Simon Phillips performed in the small town along the Rhine. In addition to his governance responsibilities, Jasper was responsible not only for programming but also for directing the entire stage production, hospitality, and communications.
Want to know more or explore collaboration?
Get in touch: info@jaspersomsen.com
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