Cooler Clinics Online: So You Want a Booking Agent?

Each month, Improvised Music Company hosts Cooler Clinic CPD events at The Cooler at The Complex or online, offering musicians practical tools and conversations to strengthen their professional lives.

For this session, we’re delighted to welcome Danielle Oosterop, one of Europe’s most respected independent booking agents and artist managers. Based in Amsterdam, Danielle has been running her own company, Danielle Oosterop Music Management, since 2011, representing some of the most exciting names in avant-garde and creative jazz including Fire! Orchestra, David Murray Quartet, Schlippenbach Trio, Globe Unity Orchestra, Nate Wooley, Paal Nilssen-Love, Rodrigo Amado, Julien Desprez, and many more.

With over 20 years of experience in the field, Danielle has built a reputation for her personal, hands-on approach—supporting artists not just with tour bookings, but with the full ecosystem of career management: fundraising, logistics, visibility, and long-term career building. Her roster tours extensively across Europe, and she regularly attends international showcases such as jazzahead! and the European Jazz Conference to keep her artists connected to key presenters and opportunities.

This Cooler Clinic will explore:

• The role of booking agents and managers in today’s jazz and creative music scene
• Practical insights into building tours and networks in Europe
• What agents and presenters look for when considering artists
• How independent artists can begin to manage bookings themselves
• Balancing artistic vision with financial and logistical realities

For Irish jazz musicians, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from someone working daily at the highest level of the international circuit. Whether you’re considering seeking an agent, curious about how to self-manage tours more effectively, or just want to understand the bigger picture of how festivals and promoters connect with artists, Danielle’s insights will be invaluable.

As always, one-to-one conversations are available with the IMC team on any topic that’s concerning you at the moment, from funding applications to touring and releasing music.

Attendance is free, but registration is required. Sign up now to reserve your spot!