Jean-Michel Jarre is a visionary musician who has consistently driven technological innovation throughout his career. As a pioneer of electronic music, he has made a name for himself in areas such as multi-channel audio technology, VR performances, and the metaverse. Jarre is a UNESCO ambassador and a dedicated environmentalist, awarded the Stephen Hawking Medal for scientific communication.

With 22 studio albums, he has sold over 85 million records worldwide and received numerous awards. Jarre has performed concerts at some of the world's most iconic landmarks, including the Great Pyramids, the Forbidden City, and the Eiffel Tower, and has set several Guinness World Records for the highest concert attendance. His recent projects include the immersive work "OXYMORE" and a livestream concert from a virtual Notre Dame, which attracted over 75 million viewers in 2021.

Martin Kohlstedt is an exceptional composer, pianist, and producer known for his instrumental music and electronica. His albums and reworks have gained international recognition, leading to concert tours worldwide. In his live performances, he seamlessly blends cutting-edge electronica with classical piano, ambient sounds, and field recordings, creating an immersive experience that feels like a living body rather than a mere collection of pieces. He describes his approach as modular composition, with pieces constantly evolving and incorporating improvisation and audience interaction. Kohlstedt has collaborated with notable partners, including the Leipzig Gewandhaus choir and artists like Douglas Dare and Sudan Archives, and he composes music for films, plays, podcasts, and audiobooks. Through his label, Edition Kohlstedt, he also engages in a reforestation project near his birthplace to fulfill his responsibilities as an international artist.

COLOURS brings dance to the people – not only on the Theaterhaus stages! As usual, Eric Gauthier and the company as well as first-rate instructors want to get the whole of Stuttgart moving: mostly open-air and irresistibly persuasive. A new format will be added in 2025: the COLOURS Collaborations in cooperation with Stuttgart culture partners.

As a fitting prelude to the concert evening at jazzopen, Eric Gauthier selected works from The FireWorks Project – all of them world premieres from the 40th anniversary programme of Theaterhaus Stuttgart. As a tribute to the illustrious jazz tradition of Theaterhaus, 10 star choreographers transformed pieces of music that represent the artistic identity of the popular Stuttgart venue into dance. Gauthier Dance will kick off the evening before support act Martin Kohlstedt and main act Jean-Michel Jarre.