Robert Lucaciu—winner of the 2016 Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award—invites you to “First Date”: Between falling and flying, closeness and distance, an open, vibrant soundscape emerges.

In 2016, double bassist Robert Lucaciu received the Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award. The jury noted that he “has distinguished himself through a profound exploration of his art, consistently forging his own path.” 

Even ten years later, those words still ring true. Lucaciu is everywhere. It’s no wonder, given his ability to combine the significance of musical messages with technical dexterity and a joy in connecting with people. With precision and ease, he plucks, strokes, and dances across the fretboard of his bulky bass. His notes land unmistakably where they’ve always belonged—and yet they feel spontaneous.

We are fortunate that Robert Lucaciu still has the energy for musical endeavors. His commitment beyond the stage is truly remarkable: he serves on the board of the German Jazz Union and the Saxony Jazz Association, and has been a professor in Nuremberg since 2024. In 2016, the jury recognized him for playing a key role in shaping the “Leipzig jazz scene through personal dedication and the development of networks.” By 2026, his influence extends far beyond Leipzig: Lucaciu’s work has long been European in scope.

The “Intricate Gestalt” project explores the interplay between the new and the familiar. Robert Lucaciu and his close collaborators Theresia Philipp and Moritz Baumgärtner meet Anna Tsombanis from Vienna for the first time—in keeping with the festival’s tradition of “First Dates.” Philipp’s and Lucaciu’s new pieces tell of “falling and flying, of cohesion and the centrifugal forces that cause our society to drift apart.” Lucaciu’s stated aim—that “music should be generous—not too cool for school”—invites us to think, experience, and listen together in an inclusive way.

Previously:
Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award:Alma Gröning with the Alou String Quartet

Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award: Jakob Obleser "Music is just wiggly air"