Kesselhalle

jazzahead!
TRADE FAIR & FESTIVAL

Die jazzahead! ist Messe, Konferenz und Showcase-Festival - mit zeitgenössischem, hochkarätigem Jazz aus Deutschland und Europa sowie aus Übersee. Vom 24. bis 26. April 2025 trifft sich die Jazzwelt, um sich zu vernetzen, auszutauschen, Konferenzen und Panels zu besuchen und 38 Showcase-Konzerte im offiziellen Programm der jazzahead! zu erleben.

Showcases in der Kesselhalle:

14-14.30: Nils Kugelmann Trio (DE)
Drummer Matan Assayag and pianist Gadi Stern, friends from childhood in Jerusalem, formed Shalosh („three“ in Hebrew) in 2014. In 2016, they enlisted top Israeli bassist David Michaeli. In ten years, Shalosh has performed hundreds of shows on the world’s most prestigious stages. Shalosh achieves a synthesis out of jazz, rock, classical, electronica, African and Middle Eastern music. The three co-leaders balance the need to challenge themselves as musicians/artists, while opening the door for a wide audience. Members of the ACT label’s family of artists since 2018, their international profile continues to rise. “Great melodic ideas, strong ensemble playing and gorgeous sound. (Jazz Magazine)
Line-Up: Gadi Stern (p, key), David Michaeli (db), Matan Assayag (dr)

16.15-16.45: Maik Krahl - The Magic of Consistency (DE)
The great Till Brönner is a fan of Maik Krahl, and has called him “the best of his generation of German jazz trumpeters.” Krahl, a major figure on the Cologne scene, is not one to rest on his laurels. He views each new album or line-up as a challenge - and the praise for his new album “The Magic of Consistency” (Challenge), his fourth as leader, has been universal. Here he dialogues and spars with another phenomenally fluent jazz improviser, saxophonist Seamus Blake. They are well matched. “The mischievous way the trumpet and saxophone entwine melodically, the mid-tempo, the gentle but decisive swing - this is traditional playing without ever reverting to imitation.” (Ralf Dombrowski)
Line-Up: Maik Krahl (tpt), Stefan Karl Schmid (sax), Julius Peter Nitsch (b), Peter Gall (dr)

18-18.30: hilde (DE)
hilde, based in Cologne and London, are Julia Brüssel (violin), Marie Daniels (voice), Maria Trautmann (trombone) and Emily Wittbrodt (cello). It hardly matters who is responsible for which playful impulse, which tone colour, which composition or which spontaneous idea. Four musicians merge into one person. hilde can seem like an individual being with four heads and eight arms, approaching us with massive gentleness. In a feature on their latest album, “Tide” (Boomslang Records), Jazzthing wrote: ”A well-organised, originally improvised collection of songs between chamber music experiment and free pop: a beautiful proof of how harmonious and beautiful improvisation can sound in 2024.”
Line-Up: Julia Brüssel (vl), Marie Daniels (voc), Maria Trautmann (tb), Emily Wittbrodt (clo)

21-21.30: Norman&Corrie (UK) (Scotland)
Norman&Corrie are the Scots duo of alto saxophonist Norman Willmore from the Shetland Islands and Glasgow drummer Corrie Dick. They resurrect archival tunes from Shetland, bringing a fresh perspective to age-old melodies. Drum kit, saxophone and organ foot pedals with cutting-edge sound design combine to produce a vibrant sound that honours the past while forging new paths. The duo embraces the archival imperfections: rather than polish away the ‘mistakes’ from old recordings, they have incorporated these quirks into their new music. A compelling listen for both fans of traditional music and those curious about the intersection of cultural heritage and contemporary sound.
Line-Up: Norman Willmore (sax, organ pedals, laptop), Corrie Dick (dr)

22.45-23.15: Enji (DE/MN)
Enkhjargal Erkhembayar (Enji) grew up in Ulaanbaatar in a family steeped in the „long song“ (urtiin duu) folk song tradition. A program by the local Goethe Institute sparked her passion for jazz, and since first coming to Munich in 2015, the rise in her profile internationally has been inexorable. Her album “Ulaan”, with its rhythmically assertive yet dream-filled music was in the New York Times’ top ten for 2023, with high praise: “Jazz singers like this rarely sound so unpretentious, original and free.” At jazzahead!, Enji will play in her regular trio formation with Paul Brändle (Fazer) on guitar and River Adomeit on bass. Her new album “Sonor” is out on May 2nd on Squama Recordings.
Line-Up: Enkhjargal Erkhembayar (Enji) (voc), Paul Brändle (g), River Adomeit (b)

00.30-01: Smag På Dig Selv (DK)
Smag På Dig Selv (‘taste yourself’ in Danish) is a cutting-edge trio blending punk, jazz, pop, hip-hop, afrobeat - and even ’90s dance. Formed in 2018 by saxophonists Oliver Lauridsen, Thorbjørn Øllgaard and drummer Albert Holberg, the band is now known as one of the Nordic region’s most exciting live acts. Their performances, including a standout show at the 2024 Roskilde Festival for over 12,000 people, are high-energy, deeply immersive, and have whole crowds dancing. Their debut album “SPDS” (Stunt, 2024) captures the band’s raw and experimental spirit and live energy, but also delves into more delicate soundscapes. A band which is impossible to categorize - but unforgettable to experience.
Line-Up: Oliver Lauridsen (ts), Thorbjørn Øllgaard (bars, bs), Albert Holberg (dr)