A delicate, operational balance between sophistication, jazz cultural advocacy and marketwise boosterism has been in place since the inception of the ambitious adventure known as jazzahead!. One can sense that balance in the convention/showcase festival's very branding, with its title stylized as in coolly lowercase composite word festooned with an emphatic exclamation point, and in the bold green arrow emblazoned on its logo. The mission and implications are all about moving jazz ahead, on various levels.

Each spring, the event magnetically pulls musicians, booker's, agents and managers, festival directors, journalists, record labels, and any other parties linked to jazz to the city of Bremen, Germany. Thus far, the American presence has been minimal, but jazzahead! remains an important rallying point for jazz activities in Europe and beyond. Stalwart observers of the dense showcase set schedule can take in up to 30 or more 30-and 45-minute sets, hoping for discoveries in the mix.

From the list of 29 showcase sets I caught this year, a rough guide of highlights would include Norwegian guitarist/world music-tripper Lilja, minimalist Swiss punk jazz foursome