Double concert with Cécile McLorin Salvant.
Joachim Kühn, who turned 80 in March, was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit First Class this year. Free improvisation is "the meaning of life" for him, the Leipzig-born musician has repeatedly emphasized. He was already a professional jazz musician in the GDR at the age of 18.

Shortly afterwards, he fled to the West. Kühn lived in Paris and California for a long time and recorded albums with Don Cherry, Billy Cobham and Ornette Coleman. Last year, he received the German Jazz Award for his life's work together with his brother Rolf Kühn, who had died shortly before. The two brothers were closely linked artistically throughout their lives.

Joachim Kühn's musical uncompromisingness unites him with Leipzig pianist Michael Wollny, who is 34 years his junior. At the beginning of the year, the two pianists released their new album, simply titled "Duo". Jazzthing described the underlying live recordings as "a concert of the century - sensual, deeply felt, virtuoso". 

Kühn recently announced his intention to retire from the concert stage at the end of this year. Before then, however, he will join Wollny once again for a brilliant performance at the Leipzig Opera.

Note: Photos and video recordings will be made at this event. ARTE will broadcast the concert live.

Afterwards: Cécile McLorin Salvant