The German Jazz Prize: Efficiency, Attitude And 22 Triangles

by Matty Bannond
June 30, 2025

Silver triangles flashed beneath pastel-toned stage lights at the German Jazz Awards in north-west Germany on June 13. The three-sided trophies got pressed into the clammy hands of winning artists and projects in 22 categories. It was a snappy-paced evening, where a heap of equilateral gongs got handed out within just three hours--alongside three live performances ...

Moers Festival Interviews: Bart Maris

by Martin Longley
June 6, 2025

Bart Maris is a heroic Belgian trumpeter, deeply committed to the art of improvisation, treading a wilder jazz path, and possessing a mighty appetite for road-life, gigging prolifically and always seeking out unfamiliar collaborators, knowing that this act will force his own playing into a continual sense of vital change. Therefore, he is a fine choice ...

Shai Maestro At Barcelona El Molino

by Artur Moral
May 23, 2025

Shai Maestro El Molino Barcelona, Spain May 16, 2025 The Barcel?na Concert?The intense crimson decor of El Molino, once a caf��-concert hall devoted to revue and cabaret, now a splendidly renovated space dedicated to all genres of music--with a special emphasis on contemporary jazz--hosted a special night with Shai Maestro. This ...

Blind Io At LOFT, Cologne

by Matty Bannond
March 31, 2025

Blind Io LOFT Cologne, Germany March 17, 2025 It is early evening in Cologne and the fragile springtime sunlight has vanished. Cold, dry air clings to lungs and scratches windpipes as audience members climb four flights of stairs to LOFT. Inside this dusty post-industrial venue, the windows are shut and invisible ...

Rupert Gillett Trio

In a completely unique instrumental combination for a jazz-based trio, internationally renowned jazz Cellist Rupert Gillett is joined by Valerie Rathmann on double bass & vocals and Tim Schmiedner on drums.  The Rupert Gillett Trio produces a sound which is at times intricate and earthy and at times swinging and funky.

Rupert Gillett is a British cellist, bassist, composer and producer. He is an internationally respected jazz cello player and a specialist in many alternative cello techniques. Over the years, he has performed with numerous ensembles in a variety of genres, both on cello and double bass. He has played concerts and festivals all over the world as well as locations such as Buckingham Palace, the Orient Express and at the Paralympic Games. He has also performed many times on BBC Radio and television and worked extensively as a studio musician.

Nduduzo Makhathini At The Philharmonie

by Matty Bannond
December 2, 2024

Nduduzo Makhathini The Philharmonie Cologne, Germany November 23, 2024 In the South African district of uMgungundlovu, November is a late-spring month of flipflops and chilled drinks. But icy wind was howling against gloved hands and mugs of hot Gl��hwein in Cologne on this November evening. The ...

Moers Festival Interviews: Virginia Genta

by Martin Longley
March 29, 2024

There is a tradition in the small German city of Moers, although its aims are far from traditional in orientation. Unless we consider the already sixty-year history (at least) of jazz-derived free improvisation. The Moers Festival has run since 1972, originally bent on exploring the vitality of free jazz, and still resolved towards that direction today, ...

Mareike Wiening: 'Reveal' Offers Jazz Rhythms of Hope

by Lawrence Peryer
February 17, 2024

Today, the Spotlight shines On Mareike Wiening. Mareike is a drummer and composer who joined us on the occasion of the release of her third record as bandleader, Reveal (Greenleaf Music). Featuring her long-time group: tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, pianist Glenn Zaleski, guitarist Alex Goodman, and bassist Johannes Felscher, the band is joined on ...

Carl Zinsius

Carl Zinsius is a German musician: drummer, percussionist and teacher, currently living in Cologne.
He studied his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz-drums at  Conservatorium Maastricht (NL) and Siena Jazz University (It) and had the chance to take lessons with some of the most reknown musicians, like Peter Erskine, Gregory Hutchinson or Joey Baron.
He leads his own group, the Carl Zinsius Project (debut album in 2024!), is the percussionist and co-leader of the group Mondo Chôro, and drummer for the interdisciplinary project Everyday Feelings.
Concerts have brought him to travel Europe, Africa as well as North and South America.

Moers Festival Interviews: Kenny Garrett

by Martin Longley
March 4, 2023

The release of Kenny Garrett's Sounds From The Ancestors album (Mack Avenue, 2021) has reinvigorated his live performances, as the saxophonist tours heartily with an expanded band that's heavy on the Afro-Latin percussion. In recent times, multi-instrumentalist Garrett has been gigging with this dedicated Sounds From The Ancestors line-up, heavily devoted to the album, but not ...