Jazz in Duketown runs entirely on and with volunteers! Unique. Some just this year for the first time, some for many years. Our Else van der Zijden recorded their stories.

Pieter van den Bosch has been a volunteer at Jazz in Duketown for 16 years. Friends of his asked if he wanted to come and help and now he is the only one left standing! Pieter helps building up the festival and puts out fires when necessary. He really likes the decoration, it’s like a transformation of the city. The togetherness of the volunteers feels like family to him. Despite the long days, he gives a lot to the festival; he has even come to love jazz!

Arjen van Broekhoven has been helping out for 10 years. He is the board member on behalf of the Realization Committee and works all year long towards the point where everything comes together: Jazz in Duketown! He sees the first music from the speakers and the first beers tapped as a proud moment. Helping out as a volunteer gives him a chance to do things other than at your own job. And there is room for making mistakes. Arjen also sees Jazz in Duketown as a social gathering and is always up for a chat.

Noor Croonen has also been helping out for 10 years. She takes care of Sponsorship and Hospitality. When she started, she thought she would get a nice income from it, but just that year everything became voluntary. Noor was all too excited and 10 years later she is still there! Visitors have increasing expectations of this unique free festival. Therefore, there must be a strong team of volunteers. She finds the volunteers well-involved. Us helps us. Without each other we don’t get this wonderful event done.

Carmen Maas has been a volunteer at Jazz in Duketown for no less than 30 years! She started as a supervisor of the children’s matinee. Later she founded the volunteer committee. These days she makes sure all the volunteers are well taken care of with food and drinks. Furthermore, she is a flying tipper and helps where needed. She sees the volunteers as a family in the wonderful environment of music.

Peter Koreman is now helping Jazz in Duketown for the 15th year. He started as a driver for the artists and later grew to transportation coordination. He finds transport a super fun team and will continue to find that. Peter likes being able to contribute to an event like Jazz in Duketown and recommends it to everyone.

Niels van den Heuvel has also been a volunteer for 15 years. Like Peter, he started out as a driver taking performers from A to Podium. Now he is co-coordinator Transport. After 15 years, he has no intention of leaving as a volunteer. He believes that the Transport team is the most fun team. In fact, the Transport team has been very close for years. He is pleased that he is appreciated by both the Jazz in Duketown audience and the artists. Niels sees Jazz in Duketown as a bright spot every year and looks forward to it every time.