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In addition to concerts with the St. Thomas Boys Choir, the Gewandhaus Orchestra and equally top-class guest ensembles of baroque music, the Bach Festival Leipzig is once again presenting interesting jazz projects this year. Of course, that's no surprise when the curator for "Bach - Reflections in Jazz" is Bert Noglik. But to the point:
The Moritzbastei will host one of the pioneers of original European jazz: Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson, whose sensitive improvised music can be heard on numerous ECM albums. Two new stars of the jazz scene will also perform at the same venue: saxophonist Émile Parisien and accordionist Vincent Peirani, already showered with awards in France (including the coveted "Prix Django Reinhardt"). Also in the Moritzbastei: the not at all classical radio.string.quartet with its echoes and arrangements of Joe Zawinul's Mahavishnu Orchestra and Billie Holiday, but also of Franz Liszt and Radiohead.
The market traditionally features a challenging program of jazz, rock and pop (just remember the furious performance of Francesco Tristano a few years ago). For example, Norwegian trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth will perform with her jazz-tango-crossover quintet TTHQ. Or Trio ELF, which integrates techno and drum'n'bass into its concept of acoustic jazz piano trio. Gerwin Eisenhauer translates digital rhythms and jungle beats into handmade, lightning-fast drumstick skills. With pianist Walter Lang (duo partner of Lee Konitz, among others) and bassist Sven Faller, he combines bassline grooves with a jazz ballad feel.

Reflections in Jazz for the Bach Festival (June 12-21) - Bernie Mallinger, Igmar Jenner (v), Cynthia Liao (va) and Asja Valcic (vc).