The local bailiff Helmut Viertl (1936 - 2023) founded the Birdland jazz club in Burghausen in May 1968, in the former Gasthof Zum in the old town.

In 1975 the festival also received international star guests (Dollar Brand, Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass).

In 1976 the festival became even more famous when Chet Baker was arrested before his performance there and held in the local police cell until bail was posted.

Benny Waters appeared in 1977, Dizzy Gillespie in 1978, Horace Silver and the Art Ensemble of Chicago in 1979, Stephane Grappelli, McCoy Tyner, Max Roach and Mel Lewis in 1980, Clark Terry, Stan Getz and Ron Carter in 1981, Randy Brecker, Ray Brown in 1982, Bobby Hutcherson, 1983 Lester Bowie, Baden Powell, Benny Golson and Art Farmer.

At the end of the 1980s it was decided to also feature international stars in the opening concert - previously reserved for regional musicians.

Dave Brubeck performed in 1988, the Modern Jazz Quartet in 1990, Al Di Meola in 1992, Jim Hall in 1993 and B.

An integral part of the jazz week is also a blues concert, where over the years artists such as Big Jay McNeely, Gene Conners, John Lee Hooker Jr., Joe Louis Walker, Dana Gillespie and Angela Brown have appeared.

Jazz courses also take place regularly in Burghausen, which were organized by the festival's artistic director, Joe Viera from 1970 until 2024.