Gioele Pagliaccia is a drummer, percussionist and composer born in Marsciano (Perugia, Italy) but raised both in his native country and the United States. Thanks to his step dad he started playing percussion at the age of 8, untill two years later a friend lend him a drumset onto wich he would bang on for as long as 10 hours a day. Around that period he also started playing both acoustic and electric guitars wich he still plays and with wich he composes all sorts of music.
He studied jazz while going to Corvallis High School, but also played in various punk bands such as Free Beer in wich he would write many of the songs they played. After returning to Italy he began collaborating with some of the best jazz musicians in the roman scene such as Pasquale Innarella, ManlioMaresca, Roberto Raciti, DavidePiersanti, Alessandro Lanzoni and others, playing in a great variety of contexts. From 1999 to 2003 he was a member of Punch & Judy and played in many Italian festivals and tv shows.

Almost Motown is the 10-piece band playing hits from the record company Motown's glory days. - The Detroit way. Stockholm is our base where we have lots of gigs in clubs and pubs. We play the hits, but also lesser-known songs. There are also occasional songsfrom other labels, all with a nice groove and soul feeling.

Almost Motown is the 10-piece band playing hits from the record company Motown's glory days. - The Detroit way. Stockholm is our base where we have lots of gigs in clubs and pubs. We play the hits, but also lesser-known songs. There are also occasional songsfrom other labels, all with a nice groove and soul feeling.

Lucia Fodde is a jazz constant in her Italian home. She combines innovative sounds with traditional rhythms. With her local band, she produced - among others - the CD "A Tribute To Cole Porter" Now she honours her roots in jazz with a repertoire that pays hommage to the great Billie Holiday. Lucias voice is unmistakeable: souly, smoky, deep. Enjoy bright swing!! Jazz legend sheila Jordan praised her voice and called it full of deep feeling. Its clear instantly what she means, when we hear Lucia Fodde move through her complex improvisations with ease and performs as naturally as...BREATHING.

The World Citizen Band i s an international contemporary jazz ensemble thatoriginated in Berlin Germany in 2011. The band gathers musicians from all overthe world with the intention of uniting different cultures through music. Theyare… Alex Terrier - Saxophone (France), Thomas Oakman – Trumpet (Poland),Ramiro Olaciregui -Guitar (Argentina). Marcos Merino - Piano (Spain), Kenneth
Dahl Knudsen - Contrabass (Denmark), Rodolfo Zuniga - Drums (Costa Rica).
Thi s group began as a collaboration between guitaristRamiro Olaciregui&bassistKenneth Dahl Knudsen. After migrating to Germany in 2011 with the wish of expanding their musical boundaries, Olaciregui& Knudsen rapidlyestabli shed themselves within the Berlin jazz scene as leaders of several groupsunder their own names. When asked to participate in the Ecuador Jazz Festival,
the 2 musicians decided to join efforts and create the World Citizen Band. Thename of thi s group makes reference to the current situation of a large number ofmusical communities over the world, in which the constant interaction betweenmusicians of different nationalities becomes growingly evident. The 6 membersof thi s group all have a nomadic lifestyle, for all have migrated from their country
of origin in search for a broader view and understanding of the ever changingmusical world of jazz. It is fair to say that they are all “citizens of the world”.

"Birgitta Flick has created an archaic and emotional suite out of her experience with the folk music of that region. (...) Especially for her horn players Flick has written interesting parts, compact and "through-composed" melodies in layers face collective improvisation. The network of polyphone music with the unusual use of the voice would already be exciting without the historic and geographic reference. It adds an additional dimension to the CD that many of the original melodies, collected by Birgitta Flick as onset for her pieces, are part of the long musical tradition of Dalarna." — Angela Ballhorn, Jazzthetik 5/2016
"Breathing the spirit of the rural Swedish way of life, her compositions resonate poetry of written works that Flick uses merely as blueprint to adapt it respectfully to her own variety of artistic expression. Out of that a contemplative sound sphere develops that rests in itself and pursues clear outlines whereas its authenticity even in freely improvised and powerful passages is never lost." — Detlef A. Ott, Jazzpodium 5/2016
www.birgittaflick.com

"Known from Paris and New York, Vandojam comes to b-flat. Supported by Vandoren/Paris"
Hosted by Reiner Witzel and our very own Robin Draganic!

This master of the alto sax, born is L.A., has been familiarised with modern jazz under the aegis of George Morrow (Bass at the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet). He was introduced into the circle of his teacher and met inter alia Bobby Hutcherson, J.R. Monterose and Harold Land. His stylistic freedom gave him virtuosity in many forms of play, which had him be quite active in the free jazz scene in the 70ies, i.a. with Sam rivers and Gunter Hampel. He taught many years at the Anton Bruckner University in Linz.He has internalised the many compositions that make out jazz, like no other. Not only does Praskin guarantee high level jazz, his extensive knowledge about jazz and its origins are dumbfounding.
This concert focuses on the music of Thelonious Monk and Billy Strayhorn, both artists that have captivated his focus for the last few years. He collected the young Berlin scene to cast his musicians for this particualr performance.

Airily, the music of "die Blauen Pilze" (blue mushrooms) prances in. casually it rises and carries us on a journey of stunning visuals with melodies full of poignant beauty. We relish the view, while the sun sets on the horizon and the first goove heavy escapades waft over from the big city. Srtaight pop and rock grooves mix with club sounds and delicate jazz. songs bore into your ears to stay for weeks. Courage for beauty and a pinch of pathos let us breath in and leave us with a silly smile.
Radio-Feature Jazz-Zeit:
This shows a surprisingly secure hand for a debut CD...a very unique melange. A record with jazz and rock - not jazzrock, thank goodness - and for people, that want to see beyon the end of their Nose.

David Warren "Dave" Brubeck was an american jazz pianist, composer and bandleader. His quartet was one of the most successfull combos of moderns jazz. Block chords and unusual time signatures were hallmarks of his style. With the exeptional sax player Paul Desmond, bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello, Brubeck had found his ideal cast and foudned the "Dave Brubeck Quartet". This formation gained world fame and formed an entire style. Dave Brubeck had made jazz history.

The Berlin Improvisers Orchestra (Ber.I.O.) was founded by Saxophonist Anna Kaluza in June 2010, with the help of “accoucheurs” Alison Blunt & Ricardo Tejero from the London Improvisers Orchestra (L.I.O.). The musicians conduct pieces using hand signals based on the conduction concept of American composer and improviser Butch Morris, these gestures are used and expanded upon by improvising orchestras worldwide.
A stellar cast of Berlin-based improvising artists, Ber.I.O.includes an international line-up (Mexico, Spain, Japan, England, USA) and has performed with guests Alexander v. Schlippenbach, Matthias Muller and members of the Tokyo Improvisers Orchestra and L.I.O.

Bassist Robin Draganic and Christine Scherzer have known each other for ten years now. They are forming a duo, that found its beginning six years ago in a few demos. They met in a studio in someones living room after a series of memorable events.
Confluence lets the two soulmate musicians drift off into their favourites and satisfy musical desires in delicately disguised jazz standards and original compositions, has them travel up a tributary to nepalese folk songs that lead to a poetic delta of spoken word, on which they meander over the soft waves of Nick Draves "Riverman" out to the open ocean...

Hans Marius Andersen (born 23/12 1994) is an international trumpeter, composer and band leader from Bergen/Norway, equally at home in both jazz, pop and classical music.
Andersen is being referred to as one of the biggest trumpet talents in Europe.
He started to play the trumpet at the age of three. In the years after Hans Marius has developed into becoming a well known and popular soloist. Apart from his solo career he´s played in bands like the Euroradio Jazz Orchestra and Bergen Big Band.

Our legendary jam session with Robin Draganic!

Berlin big band, with its international cast and its leader Benjamin Strauß, performs top notch current big band jazz. New music by berlin based composers - this time Maria Baptist - alternates with arrangements by Pat Mentheny, Bob Mintzer, Brookmeyer, The Yellowjackets and many more.
www.berlinbigband.de

Diego Pinera, originally from Montevideo (Uruguay), came to germany a few years ago. He studied drums at Berklee College of Music (USA), at University of Music in Havanna (Cuba) and at Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig.
In his new Quartet, he finds a new, unconventional approach to latin jazz. Sometimes close to pop and jazz, sometimes layered and rythmically original like it traditionally is. And always close to his latin american roots.

MAx Hacker presents masterfully understated on "What do you mean?" Hackers music radiates an air of grandness, without fishing for effects and free of platitudes. It is the masterfully respectable, the incorruptable, that makes this such a seductive album. Max Hacker has marinaded in free jazz since he was fifteen - at first on vacation in the US and then at the New School of Music in New York. And this jazz-socialisation in the US is unmistakeably a success.

Metrerio was founded in 2004 in Sao Paulo with one goal: to explore the manifold aspects of Brasilian popuular music. Since then, the group has continuously expanded their scope: Brasilian rhythms mix with elements of chamber music and jazz. They have released records, not only as a Trio: in cooperation with composer and pianist Pedro Assad, english songwriter Rebecca Sharp and many Brasilian horn players they have compiled impressive works. Metrerio constantly evovles through the dialogue between past and present, never without a sense of humour, creativity and love for the music.

Meretrio comes to Berlin after concerts in Austria, Croatia and Slowakia. For the two concerts in B-Flat, the trio prepared two complete different concerts. And for the 25. August, the trio invites six of the best musicians from Berlin scene to join the trio.
The compositions and arrangements are from EmilianoSampaio, guitar player that already worked with the HR big band, the Big Band in Copenhagen and HRT Croatian Radio big band.
For this concert, the nonet will perform compositions that will be recorded and released in Austria in 2016.

Nonett
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBMf0ntVPYE

Meretrio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9eYtkH7-6E

Our legendary jam session with Robin Draganic!

the three Alpha-agents Alpha, Beta and Gamma have ben transferred via time machine to 2016 to prevent the worst. They work with Agent beat, boogaloo, girlie music and soul, to create a field of energy through rhythm, melody and love, that perforates the existing matrix and creates a new awareness.
alphaalpha makes happy.
Martin Klingeberg (tp), Christian von der Goltz (orgel, p), Thomas Alkier (dr, perc)

"The audience experiences piano jazz in the champions league" (Jazzpodium).
"Technically savvy to every trick in the book...the man from Berlin presents as a pianist, who brings fresh tones to the overflowing genre of trios." (Jatt thing)
The racy, virtuoso performance makes for a refreshing and rompish audio experience

"A singer, driven, motivated, with a vision" said Theo Bleckmann (New York artist and singer, whom she met while working at the Manhattan School of Music. She was born in Mayence, grew up in Bingen by the Rhine and has made her home in the Netherlands for the last 13 years. She is a staple of Amsterdams music scene.Many will know her from her features with Ed Partyka and his jazz orchestra at the b-flat. Now she is touring with her own band. "turning The Tide" is the name of her last EP and it describes perfectly the phase, Julia has experienced in the last few months. Her music has changed. After the experimenting and the balancing act between pop and jazz, she comes back to simpler structures, while her jazz backround still gives a striking character to her songs. Inspired by artists like wie Glen Hansard, Lisa Hannigan or Norah Jones, Julia sings intimate, honest songs, full of feeling. Quiet tones mix with stronger moments, strong sound, intoxicating songs, breathing the spirit of a singer-song writer, that must have been sleeping in her since the beginning. she is accompanied and carried by her fantastic band.

“The piano player of Sting”
The stellar ascent of Englands most famous pianist Jason Rebello started in the early 90ies, when legendary sax player Wyne Shorter discovered him and produced his debut album. the world got to know him when he replaced his Idol Kenny Kirkland in Stings band. He recorded the Grammy winning Records "Brand New Day“, “All This Time“ and “Sacred Love“ with Sting and toured the world. After his cooperation with Sting, he worked for many famous artists, like Jeff Beck, Phil Collins or Peter Gabriel.
His collaboration with Manu Katche gives him a place in thehearts of jazz lovers. He will present his new solo piano album "Held" with a few choice concerts, showcasing his beautiful musicality and technique in an intimate, lyrical setting. An evening with one of the most distinguished artists of Europes piano and jazz scene, don't miss it!

ZOLA RUN, that sounds almost like run, Lola, run. True. But the new project of composer Zola Mennenöh has other roots. It begun as TELL ME A TALE, but when the quartette released their first EP "Sirens" (Dec 2016, they changed it to ZOLA RUN, in honour of the bare foot running band leader Zola Budd. A promise to run into the musical world as well, if you will.
She has been bare foot on a few stages now. Her music, however, isn't running a race. It's quiet, soft, delicate. Unless it's blues. If it's blues, Zola Mennenöh jumps up and runs to unknown highs and races to wild lows.

Three cowboys in tuxes cross the finnish steppe on a treasure hunt. The cowgirl holds the reigns of their rickety motor cycle. Sergio Leone, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino - None of them can imagine what happens next.

Our legendary jam session with Robin Draganic!

Luxembourgs new jazz generation has a lot to show for itself and doesn't have to hide from any of their neighbours anymore. And young multi-instrumentalist and composer Pol Bernardi has been busy stirring the pot lately. He presents a refreshing musical cocktail with his quartette "Force". Inspired by all kinds of things, he draws from pretty much anything musical, because he has tried almost everything since his early childhood. "Force" convinces with energy, interaction, rhythmical beauty and honesty. Sometimes soundscape-y and harmonic, sometimes ecstatic and wild, but never losing the sense for melody and aesthetics. A must, not only for jazzfans, but for all music lovers and explorers.
In friendly cooperation with Music:LX, the Embassy of the Grand duchy of Luxmbourg Berlin and the ministry for Culture Luxembourg.

This orchestra gets its unique charme from the mixture of the different musical personalities that come from the big band establishment on one hand, and the young, hip scene from Berlin, Amsterdam, Vienna and Prague.
The internationality of his orchestra, with musicians from the US, Germany, Holland, Switzerland and the Czech republic makes for this special melange.
They will bring a mix of original compostions, jazz and pop hits, arranged and composed by Ed Partyka and supported by the enchanting Julia Oschewsky.