Let’s talk about jazz…and bodies of water
»“Lakes are islands for fish”“, as the poetic thinker Alexander Kluge once put it. A clever reversal—the human perspective all too often relates everything to our own species—and at the same time, the phrase captures the summer habits of Leipzigers all too well. After work and on weekends, they swarm into the Neusee landscape—from the classic spot starting with “C.” to the barbecue lake—seeking out these watery enclaves, sheltered from the scorching asphalt and the bustling hustle and bustle of the big city. The next two months probably wouldn’t be bearable any other way…
The aquatic world also finds its counterpart in jazz: everything flows, is ever-changing, takes on new forms—and who hasn’t been enchanted by a view of still water, like a soothing ballad? It’s easy to see why areas near bodies of water are the perfect venues for summer festivals. The beauty of nature merges with the beauty of art to form a unity and provides that indispensable coolness. The list is long: from the Montreux Jazz Festival on Lake Geneva to the Jazzwerkstatt Peitz by the historic carp ponds, to the Elbjazz Festival at the Port of Hamburg, and last but not least, the Saalfelden Jazz Festival on the edge of—well—the “Stone Sea.”
But you shouldn’t stray too far from Leipzig proper, because on July 10 and 11, the HMT Big Band will be performing two nights in a row at the Theaterhaus Schille as part of Jazzclub . On top of that, preparations for the 50th Leipzig Jazz Days (Oct. 17–24) are in full swing. In addition to the presale for Jason Moran, which has already started, we have more announcements to make: On July 2, the presale for the evening at the Schauspielhaus featuring Norma Winstone & Kit Downes, followed by the Bill Frisell Trio, will go live, and the highly sought-after festival passes will become available at the same time. You’ll find out in this issue that this isn’t all the information we have on the anniversary edition; further updates are available on all our social media channels, our website, and in our newsletter.
If you missed Johanna Summer’s Jazzclub concert in June—or still can’t get enough—you’re in for a treat: we’re doing it again! With *Dialoge*, she’s conjured up the album of the month—no, of the summer—for us. Along with this and many other recommendations, you’ll find all our tips and event dates on the following pages… enjoy your read by the water!
See you soon,
Lennart
