Jazzkalender #298

LET’S TALK ABOUT JAZZ … and … AFTERWARDS AND IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
At 11:59 p.m. local time on October 19, Salomea took the packed Telegraph live club by storm. And so began the (provisional) end of the 43rd Leipzig Jazz Days, “Zukunftsmusik”! The adrenaline rush had faded—giving way to an overwhelming sense of happiness that poured out in hours of dancing through the night. But where do we actually find ourselves after the end of a festival titled “Zukunftsmusik”? Afterward! But only in terms of the days, hours, minutes, and seconds that the festival lasted. By October 19, more than 7,000 people had flocked to 27 concerts, lectures, and film screenings, immersing themselves in “our” Zukunftsmusik—amidst mystical silence, the magical rustling of leaves, breathtaking soundscapes, wild improvisations, and multi-layered grooves. And with lyrics that take a stand, including those by Brigade Futur III, who gave a first taste of this year’s festival theme at the kickoff.
What a celebration! The festival’s opening ceremony, presided over by our patron, Mayor Burkhard Jung, was already top-notch, as was the subsequent presentation of the Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award, followed by a concert on October 10 at UT Connewitz. Later, countless people danced the night away at the Jazzelectric Night—this time at two venues—followed by the rich, invigorating nighttime sounds at naTo, new orchestral forms at the Kunstkraftwerk, cinema for the mind and soul in the luminous Schauspielhaus, truly cosmic sounds at the Westbad, goosebumps during the duet at the Schaubühne Lindenfels, children’s eyes wide with wonder at Jazz for Children at Werk 2—where “Peterchen’s Moon Ride” was performed for the first time as a live radio play with music composed especially for the occasion—and so much more. Finally, a highlight of the festival was the world premiere of the commissioned composition “Inseparable.Unteilbar.” at the completely sold-out Opernhaus to mark the 30th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution, featuring the Spielvereinigung Sued and the MDR Radio Choir. Our heartfelt thanks go to our patron, Mayor Burkhard Jung, as well as the City of Leipzig, all our supporters, and sponsors for their invaluable moral and financial support. Thank you to our Board of Trustees for putting together the program, to our tireless team, and to all the venues for their tremendous cooperation. Thank you to Bureau FM for the sophisticated graphic design and to Stefan Ibrahim for the artistic illustration; thank you to Susann Jehnichen for the impressive photos; thank you to Nico “and his crew” for the professional technical support; thank you to all our authors; thank you to Benny for proofreading and his hard work. And thank you, dear audience, for your curiosity and for attending all our events. Thank you, thank you, thank you…
“Zukunftsmusik” lives on—growing through change—carried by courageous, experimental, and unconventional musicians. Thank you for your music! You give us a joyful promise of the sounds of tomorrow and, with it, the confidence that the journey continues.
That life goes on will soon be proven by the exciting concerts in our “ Jazzclub ” live series and, on November 27, by Herbie Hancock!, who will take the stage at the legendary Kongresshalle with his band, thus bringing the 43rd “ Leipziger Jazztage ” to a close. It will have been 12 fantastic days across 17 venues, featuring more than 150 pioneers of the future from 18 nations.
Stefan Heilig
Festival Director
Psst: The 44th Leipziger Jazztage will take place from October 15–24, 2020!
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Editorial Team: Jazzclub Leipzig e.V.
Layout: Bureau FM