Ham Sessions 20/25 a place for handmade music since 2006.

The Ham Sessions will celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2025, hence 20/25.

Started in 2006 as a stage for WOFO, then helmer Michel Mast's group, and evolved over the years into the missing link between Ghent's rich club life and the larger venues, ‘the place where the distance between artists and audience already hemlevels’ (*). The qualities of the place, a walled urban garden, were immediately recognised: its location in the heart of Ghent, its excellent acoustics and aesthetics, a concert hall under the stars, so to speak.

An out-of-control garden party some say, Musiques de Chambris d'amis others say. With programming that, at cruising speed, stages more than 20 concerts a year in various formats:

The main event is Ham Sessions Outdoor, the spring 3-day with 9 bands; in addition, the AchterHam Sessions, presenting local star performers and international opportunities in an intimate setting, The KwaadHam Sessions on the move at Quatre-Mains Pianos: 3 days, 6 pianists and as many bands or the Hamster Sessions, where the littlest ones take part in their first jazz concert from the front row.

Over the years, more than 1,200 musicians in 300 bands have taken part. From sounding names like Ravi Coltrane, Shai Maestro, Lionel Loueke, Jim Black ... to names that are now programmed at major festivals like Marcin Masecki or Lander Gyselinck.

2025 will be a festive year with XL programming in each of our formats, as well as several special events: a festive concert and jazz meal on 4 December at the Centrale/ENTR or a special Hamster Session also at the Centrale, with a real composite assignment given to Sam Vloemans.

(*) Koen van Meel in Kwadratuur.