The 38th Leipzig Jazz Days are drawing ever closer - and the August jazz calendar is also all about the festival, which starts on 11.9: Avishai Cohen on the cover, a whole four pages about the Jazztage (in words: V I E R). What fun!

The jazz calendar editorial turns half a year old. This time it's called:
LETS'S TALK ABOUT JAZZ IN THE MEDIA, BABY
Nightly television, an old crime scene on the first channel, lethargy on the sofa. Switching over. Close-up of a man who indiscreetly looks directly at me and implores: "It touches! It makes you sad! It makes you anxious, it spurs you on! It delights. Those who don't know it should try it like a new, exotic food. Hey, don't be afraid of jazz!"
It is Dieter Ilg who is speaking. On television! Am I dreaming? "Jazz is the only musical form that always moves in some direction and can't be stopped," Nils Landgren says now, and I think: Exactly! "Jazz is the only musical genre that gives the musician absolute freedom of musical expression of his own." Yes, Klaus Doldinger! "Jazz is absolute happiness, pure joy and freedom. It's a kind of communication between the audience and the music." I applaud Victoria Tolstoy - and realize I'm not dreaming after all. "Aspects" is the name of the show, and Chilly Gonzales continues, "Jazz is a great invention. The institutions that surround jazz have become a museum. On the one hand, that's good because there are people fighting for the history of jazz and its memory; on the other hand, there's the sad certainty that jazz doesn't appeal to everyone's taste anymore." Soon-to-be Leipzig resident Michael Wollny then plays his "Witches Dance" live in the studio and I imagine someone zapping in right now and being swept out of their chair by this power and creativity.
Sure, jazz doesn't appeal to everyone, but please, dear media professionals, give it the space it deserves - "Hexentanz" is not just a good Tatort title!
finds your Jazzkalender editorial staff
© Jazzkalender, August 2014.

The whole jazz calendar can be found here >>> and, as always, everywhere where there are hot meals, cool drinks and good music.