From the Brink of Closure to a New Beginning – Ronny Wolff’s Opening Speech

How close did the Haagse Jazz Club come to closing its doors for good? And what plans does the new board have for the future? During the season opening on October 4, 2026, our new chairman, Ronny Wolff, reflected on the past few months, the changes within the association, and its ambitions for the years ahead..

Things Could Have Turned Out Very Differently…

For some time, the future of the Haagse Jazz Club was far from certain. With no successors initially available to take over the board’s responsibilities, our beloved association faced the possibility of closing its doors permanently.

Fortunately, that was not to be! A group of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals stepped forward, willing to take on the responsibility of forming a new board.
Their commitment not only secured the continuation of the Haagse Jazz Club but also created an opportunity to build a brighter future for our association, filled with fresh ideas and renewed energy.

During his opening speech, Ronny introduced the people helping to make this possible: Wout as Treasurer, Jonadab as Secretary, Hattem responsible for Programming, Sandra for Public Relations, Roel for Organisation, and Marco as candidate board member for Communications & Web.

A Lot Has Been Happening Behind the Scenes
In the months leading up to the season opening, the board met regularly. Ideas were discussed, plans were developed, arrangements were made, and, above all, a great deal of hard work was done. The aim was not simply to keep the association running, but also to prepare it for the future.

Visitors arriving at the season opening could already admire some of the results. New curtains, tablecloths, and a redesigned stage backdrop have given our familiar venue a warmer and more welcoming atmosphere. A new logo was also introduced, giving the Haagse Jazz Club a fresh and recognisable identity. But the changes extend beyond what is immediately visible.

Ronny spoke about several improvements, including the introduction of new membership cards and a digital check-in system. The completely redesigned website was another highlight. During his speech, our chairman even had a special compliment for Marco’s work: “Chapeau!”
These are all important steps in the continued development of our association, while music, friendship, and the welcoming spirit of our club remain at its heart.

An Association with Ambitions
With the foundations for a new future now in place, the board is looking ahead. One of its main objectives is to attract new members.
To achieve this, we want to raise awareness of the Haagse Jazz Club, both within The Hague and beyond.

Through our renewed website and our presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, we hope not only to stay connected with our loyal visitors but also to introduce new generations of jazz enthusiasts to our association.
And that’s where everyone can help!

Ronny encouraged everyone present to play an active part. Tell others about our club, invite friends and acquaintances, share our social media posts, and help distribute our flyers and business cards.
After all, the very best ambassadors for the Haagse Jazz Club are the people who already enjoy spending their Sunday afternoons with us!

A Message That Goes Beyond the Opening of a New Season
Ronny’s speech was much more than a warm welcome. It was also an opportunity to reflect on what had almost been lost, to recognise the people dedicated to securing the association’s future, and to look ahead to the opportunities that now lie before us.
The future of the Haagse Jazz Club cannot be taken for granted. But with committed members, enthusiastic volunteers, a motivated board, and, above all, our shared love of jazz, there is so much we can achieve together.

A club with such a rich history surely deserves an equally wonderful future.

Watch his opening speech from October 4, 2026, below and discover how we are working together to write a new chapter in the history of the Haagse Jazz Club.

Together, we keep jazz alive!

Video: Joost Berkhout