Image: Kunsthal, Appenzell ; Rico D’Rozario
Kunsthal Rotterdam is marking North Sea Jazz’s 50th anniversary with ‘50 Years of North Sea Jazz Photography’, an exhibition of work by Paul Bergen, Rico D’Rozario and Andreas Terlaak. On view in Hall 7 from 5 September to 11 October 2026, the presentation was developed in collaboration with North Sea Jazz and brings performances and behind-the-scenes moments from the festival into the gallery.
The three photographers arrive with distinct connections to music photography. Bergen began as a general press photographer and became known for live images and artist portraits; his subjects have included Herbie Hancock and Sonny Rollins, as well as David Bowie, Nirvana and U2. D’Rozario started out as a musician before changing course for the camera, photographing artists from Miles Davis and Prince to Mick Jagger and Beyoncé. Terlaak made concert photography his profession after completing his studies, later extending his work to Formula 1 and dance.
The exhibition takes its occasion from a festival history that began at the Nederlands Congresgebouw in The Hague. Its first edition featured six concert halls, 300 musicians and 9,000 visitors. North Sea Jazz has since grown into an international event whose programmes have included Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock and Sonny Rollins, alongside soul and blues performers including James Brown, Ray Charles, Erykah Badu and B.B. King.
The festival has also hosted early appearances by musicians who later gained wider recognition. Roy Hargrove, Jacob Collier, Ibrahim Maalouf, Gregory Porter and Amy Winehouse made their North Sea Jazz debuts in its smaller concert venues; Adele and D’Angelo also made festival debuts there.
Terlaak’s concert work has included a long period as Neil Diamond’s regular tour photographer and work with Prince during performances at Amsterdam’s Paradiso. He has won the Silver Camera’s first prize twice, for photographs of Amy Winehouse and the dance company Conny Janssen Danst.
