Venna, a talented alto saxophonist, began his musical journey at the age of six with piano and switched to the saxophone at 12. He has worked with international artists such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, Snoh Aalegra, and J Hus, and was nominated for a Grammy in 2020 for his work on Burna Boys African Giant. In 2021, he won a Grammy for Twice as Tall. He toured globally and released his debut project Venology in 2021. In 2022, he received additional Grammy nominations, and his collaboration with Knucks led to success on the UK album charts. In 2023, he released the EP Equinox, which received positive feedback, and also produced for artists like MIKE, Mick Jenkins, and Masego.

The SpardaWelt Eventcenter is the venue for the presentation of the German Jazz Trophy by the Sparda-Bank Baden-Württemberg Foundation for Art and Culture. The award ceremony marks the start of the festival, after which the respective prizewinners play the opening concert and other selected international musicians take to the SpardaWelt stage in the following days. The free "Jazz for Kids" event for young jazz fans will also take place here.