This year the Artist in Residence is Wynton Marsalis with the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra. Marsalis is working with the orchestra since 1991 and offered to show their work on the festival. The saxophone player / composer has been chosen as Artist in Residence for, according to the festival, \'...because he is unique and was one of the first of his generation who has developed his own, recognizable sound with his own signature in composing. By studying the history of music, he shows that you can distinguish yourself in music, in stead of pushing off of the old styles\'. The main theme of his music will be \'Trains\'.

Highlights North Sea Jazz festival 2007

• Steps Ahead with Steve Smith
  
• The Roots with Ahmir ‘?uestlove’ Thompson
  
• Joe Zawinul Syndicate with Paco Séry
  
• Marcus Miller with Poogie Bell
  
• Toots Thielemans
  
• Ojos de Brujo with Xavier Turull
  
• The Eric Ineke Jazzexpress
  
• Steely Dan with Keith Carlock
  
• Reunion with Dennis Chambers
  
• Antibalas with Christopher Daniel Vatalaro
  
• Orentte Coleman Quartet with Denardo Coleman (After 10 years back on the NSJ fstival.)
  
• Mike Stern Band with Dave Weckl
  
• Randy Brecker Electric Band with Rodney Holmes
  
• Misha Mengelberg Trio with Ben Perowsky
  
• Chano Dominguez with El Piraña
  
• Joost Lijbaart & Wolfert Brederode

Other artists playing NSJ 2007
Amy Winehouse, Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Chick Corea & Gary Burton, Africando, Buena Vista Social Club, David Sanborn, Katie Melua, Amsterdam Klezmer Band, Larry Carlton Group with Robben Ford, Roy Hargrove Quintet, Wende Snijders, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Gino Vannelli with Michiel Borstlap, Snoop Dogg and many others.

The North Sea Jazz Festival 2007 takes place on July 13, 14 and 15. Location is for the second time Ahoy\' in Rotterdam. Ticket sales start Saturday May 12.

More information on the NSJ is available on www.northseajazz.nl.