The Loft is an important part of the cultural city of Cologne, well known as a creative hub with a rich tradition including the Musikhochschule with its Jazz department, the Stadtgarten and its Jazzhaus Initiative, as well as the free music scene with its broad stylistic scope and vitality.

In October 2003, experts, consumers, musicians, reporters, sponsors came together to form the association 2nd Floor e.V. The goal of the association is the promotion of Jazz, improvised music, contemporary and electronic music in all its many forms through concerts, productions, and documentation. In short, these otherwise non-commercial and often under-represented forms should be bought closer to the music audience. This is especially possible through the work with other organisations, bodies, and associations which receive particular attention (e.g. with the KGNM e.V., Jazz am Rhein e.V., Kölner JazzHausInitiative e.V. radio programs and various foundations).
In times of increasingly scarce resources, broadcasting and performance opportunities are reliant on such cooperations, through which the 2nd Floor is able to support lively contemporary music.

New members are welcome, the yearly fee is €25 and all donations are tax deductible.
The board of 2nd Floor includes Dieter Manderscheid, Frank Gratkoswki, and Susanne Trautmann.