Let's talk about jazz... and voices
That was in 1996, when the German Chancellor was Helmut Kohl and the chart toppers of the time had questionable names such as DJ Bobo and Ace Of Base. No wonder, then, that Barlow dreamed of an even more promising future in the face of this bleak present. He saw the World Wide Web, which he co-initiated, as an emancipatory project. A resonating space for both loud and quiet voices.
Today, 30 years later, the naive techno-libertarianism of yesteryear has long since become a footnote in history, and the internet has in parts become a virtual garbage dump. And yet: the idea of free development for all remains unbroken, and is constantly seeking new ways and forms of expression on both a small and large scale.
For example, in the Eva Klesse Quartet's current project "Voices". In it, the band led by the Leipzig-based drummer brings together perspectives that often go unnoticed in the noisy hustle and bustle of the world. Klesse recently described the artistic approach as a "diversity of voices in every respect" in an interview for our "Laut und Leipzig" blog.
At the same time, the album is far more than just a socio-political statement. Listening to the 13 tracks, you quickly realize that this is a meeting of six outstanding musicians who are not only united by a similar set of values, but also and above all by the desire to make music together. And so we are delighted that Klesse - the winner of the German Jazz Award 2025 - has accepted our invitation together with her band: on December 5, the quartet will play two Jazzclub in a septet line-up at Theaterhaus Schille.
But even after that, no one is forced to fall into hibernation: This year, the annual advenzz benefizz jazz invites you to a class reunion of Leipzig's jazz chic on December 18 at Neue Musik Leipzig. The Lucas Rauch Organ Trio and pianist Johannes Wasikowski will be among the performers. If you're still not tired of Advent, you can drop by the Laden auf Zeit one day later - on December 19: There will not only be mulled wine and gingerbread, but also improvisational performances in changing constellations.
And the new year isn’t giving us much of a breather either: On January 17, Leipzig-based musician Marina Schlagintweit and her ensemble will be performing at the Kulturhof Gohlis. Anyone who saw the group last year as part of the 48th “ Leipziger Jazztage ” festival knows this: The winner of this year’s Jutta Hupp Prize loves to take musical risks rather than follow well-trodden paths. Just under two weeks later—on January 30 and 31—the HMT Big Band will present its current program on two consecutive evenings at the Theaterhaus Schille. And if that’s not enough: Our HMT Stage Night continues to take place every Tuesday at the koko café-bar.
But before I get accused of spoilers, I'll end the editorial and this Jazzkalender with an obligatory one: Happy reading!
See you soon!
Luca
Jazzkalender-Editorial office
