Concerts of the Jazz Academy

Current concerts

On Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

in Jever Town Hall, Anton Günther Hall...

...an evening full of sound, energy, and honest depth awaits you. Some of Berlin's best musicians, whom we've been waiting for for a long time, are coming to Jever...

Roman Ott Berlin Band

Roman Ott saxophones

Benjamin Lackner piano

Lars Gühlcke bass

Heinrich Köbberling drums

Entrance fee 25,- €

For everyone under thirty: 15,- €

Free entry with student ID as always

...for reservation.

Roman Ott is an exceptional saxophone talent; his distinctive sound and saxophone playing have to be experienced for yourself to feel the "good old magic." He will present songs from his new album "hey ro," released on the internationally renowned Fresh Sound label. The musicians with whom Roman Ott will present his new album are, without exception, among the elite of modern jazz, and promise an intense musical experience full of honesty and depth.

Roman Ott performs at international jazz clubs and festivals as the bandleader of his quartet and released his third album on the renowned Spanish label "Fresh Sound New Talent" in 2013. He received the label's internal award for "best selling album of the year." His new double album, "Hey Ro," was released in 2021.

The German-American pianist Benjamin Lackner released several albums with his long-standing trio before making his ECM debut with Last Decade in 2022. On the album, the Berlin-based pianist can be heard with his ECM colleagues Mathias Eick and Manu Katché, as well as bassist Jérome Regard.

The album received critical acclaim upon its release, with Stereophile magazine stating, "ECM has released some great albums in 2022, but few are more beautiful." Writing in the Swiss weekly Weltwoche, Peter Rüedi called Lackner's music "a kind of classical music" and praised it as "a masterpiece that, in an almost hypnotic melodic maelstrom of eight original Lackner compositions, dispenses with all soloistic 'extravaganza' and spectacular artistry in favor of a highly integrated sound and intimate exchange of ideas."

What distinguishes Benjamin Lackner from many of his role models is his avoidance of grand gestures. The poetic casualness with which he plays his dreamily beautiful melodies is reminiscent of the flight of a butterfly, whose trajectory draws enchanted ornaments in the air, without them being immediately tangible. With Lackner, the small rests within the large, and the large within the small. The connecting element between both principles is the unpretentious moment in which it occurs. - Wolf Kampmann

Lars Gühlcke studied double bass at the Amsterdam Conservatory and composition with Micha Mengelberg. After a long-standing collaboration with Ed Kröger, he has been a permanent member of the Roman Ott Quartet since 2006 and has lived in Berlin as a freelancer since 2000, performing at home and abroad with artists including Scott Hamilton, Till Brönner, Marianne Rosenberg, Rudi Mahal, and John Schröder. Since 2015, he has worked closely with media artist and composer Jan-Peter Sonntag as a performer and production manager.

drummer Heinrich Köbberling He has worked with Aki Takase, Ernie Watts, Anat Fort, Richie Beirach, and many others and can be heard on approximately 50 jazz recordings. On his own album, "Pieces" (1997), he was accompanied by Marc Johnson and Ben Monder, among others. Köbberling teaches percussion at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Academy of Music and Theatre in Leipzig.

Previous concerts

Unfortunately already sold out... from 7:15 p.m. the remaining tickets can be purchased at the box office.

(Tickets are still available for our concert on April 11 (see below))

On Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

in Jever Town Hall, Anton Günther Hall

This One's for Roy...

Ralph Moore tenor sax

David Kikoski piano

Essiet Essiet Bass

Joris Dudli drums

These four exceptional musicians met in the lively New York scene of the late eighties and early nineties and have since had the opportunity to play together in various line-ups, but the chemistry in this quartet is unique due to the long-standing collaboration between Moore/Kikoski and Essiet/Dudli.

Supporting act: Equinox from Oldenburg

Entrance fee 25,- €

For everyone under thirty: 15,- €

Free entry with student ID as always

Ralph Moore, tenor sax

A native of England, Ralph Moore came to the United States in 1970 and studied at Berklee College of Music from 1975 onward. In 1981, he moved to New York, where his professional career as a musician began. He played in Horace Silver's Quintet, with whom he toured Europe and Japan. As a busy sideman, Moore also worked with Roy Haynes, the Mingus Dynasty, and Freddie Hubbard in the following years.

In the summer of 1987, he toured with Dizzy Gillespie's Reunion Big Band. Ralph also appears on albums by Kenny Barron (Invitation), Ray Brown, Kevin Eubanks, and Gene Harris. Starting in the mid-1980s, he recorded several albums on the Criss Cross Jazz label, with backing musicians such as Steve Turre, Mulgrew Miller, and Marvin Smitty Smith.

In 1996, he played with Roy Hargrove and Oscar Peterson. That same year, Hargrove and Moore collaborated on Cedar Walton's album The Composer.

David Kikoski – piano

During the 1990s in New York, David Kikoski's career skyrocketed. He established himself as both a sideman and a leader alongside jazz greats such as John Scofield, Ravi Coltrane, Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Mike Stern, Chick Corea, Bill Stewart, Tom Harrell, Marcus Miller, Michael Brecker, Jack Dejohnette, and many others.

In 2001, Roy Haynes invited him to join his all-star band, "Birds of a Feather," along with Dave Holland, Roy Hargrove, and Kenny Garrett. Christian McBride and Nicholas Payton also participated in this project. The album "Caribbean Jazz Project" was nominated for a Grammy in 2004.

Essiet Essiet – Bass

Bassist Essiet Essiet was a long-time member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and is originally from Nigeria. He and his family first moved to the West Coast, but then to New York in the mid-1980s.

His name has become an integral part of the international jazz scene. He played for many years with Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand), in Bobby Watson's Horizon, Billy Cobham, Bobby Hutcherson, Danilo Perez, Kenny Barron, and many others.

From 2025 he will be a member of Kurt Elling’s Ensemble.

Joris Dudli – drums

Joris Dudli was able to establish a multifaceted musical profile, particularly during his nearly ten-year stay in New York. Before that, he had already established himself in Austropop at a young age and later with the Vienna Art Orchestra and the Art Farmer Quintet.

This was followed by countless concerts with international musicians such as Benny Golson, Chicco Freeman, Johnny Griffin, Joe Henderson and many others, and from 2002 also with the Joe Zawinul Syndicate

Clockwise from top left: Benjamin Lackner, Roman Ott, Heinrich Köbberling, Lars Gühlke



The summer workshop of the seventh North Sea Jazz Academy is approaching. During the academy week, we'll be looking forward to a concert by our brilliant quintet of instructors under the direction of Klaus Ignatzek, a relaxed, improvised jam session with many guests, and the final concert of the participants. Reservations, as always, are available through our Contact page.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 8 p.m.

Jever Town Hall (Anton Günther Hall)

Jazz Academy lecturer concert

Klaus Ignatzek, piano

Florian Trübsbach, saxophone

Sven Faller, bass
Susanne Menzel, Vocals
Christian Schoenefeldt, drums

Entrance fee 20 €

for everyone under 30 only 10 €

Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 8 p.m.
Jever Town Hall (Anton Günther Hall)

Jam session

with participants of the Jazz Academy and guests

admission free

Friday, July 19, 2024 at 8 p.m.
Jever Town Hall (Anton Günther Hall)

Participant final concert

admission free

The North Sea Jazz Academy will host its first spring workshop in Varel this year. Beginning on Thursday, May 9, 2024, we will take lessons with 35 dedicated jazz musicians from across Germany, rehearse together in spontaneously formed combos, and prepare the program for the final participant concert.

The highlight awaits us on the second day: the concert of our brilliant Dozentenquintet (see picture) under the direction of Klaus Ignatzek. Reservations, as always, via our Contact page.

Our program in detail:

Thursday, May 9 (Ascension Day) at 8 p.m.

Varel District Service Center, Karl-Nieraad-Str. 1 (top floor)

Jam session with the participants

(Guests and listeners are welcome, admission is free, registration via our Contact page)

Friday, May 10, 2024 at 8 p.m.r

Varel District Service Center, Karl-Nieraad-Str. 1 (top floor)

Lecturer concert

Klaus Ignatzek, piano

Markus Harm, saxophone

Sven Faller, bass
Susanne Menzel, Vocals
Christian Schoenefeldt, drums

Entrance fee 20 €

for everyone under 30 only 10 €

Reservation via our Contact page

Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 8 p.m.
Varel District Service Center, Karl-Nieraad-Str. 1 (top floor)

Participant final concert

Free entry, registration via our Contact page

Our teaching team, clockwise: Susanne Menzel, Christian Schoenefeldt, Klaus Ignatzek, Markus Harm, Sven Faller

*** unfortunately already sold out ****

(There are still some tickets available at the box office, and sometimes reserved tickets aren't picked up. So feel free to try anyway; we've always found a solution.)

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

in Jever Town Hall, Anton Günther Hall...

we heard

Vincent Herring with Soul Chemistry feat. Erena Terakubo

Vincent Herring – alto saxophone
Erena Terakubo – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
Gary Fisher – piano
Essiet Essiet – Bass
Joris Dudli – drums

Entrance fee 25,- €

For everyone under thirty: 15,- €

Free entry with student ID as always

After four years, Vincent Herring is finally coming back to Jever, this time with the brilliant Japanese newcomer Erena Terakubo.

They react blindly to one another and know no technical limitations. This is what it must have sounded like when Charlie Parker and his accomplices at "Minton's Playhouse" developed bebop in the 1940s.

Simple melodic lines are transformed into new works of art in the moment; no two performances are the same.

Vincent Herring follows in the tradition of Charlie Parker; his tone gets under your skin, his dexterity is fascinating, and he knows how to maintain the suspense.

In Stevie Wonder's catchy tune "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," Vincent Herring practically sings through his horn, evoking memories of Cannonball Adderley or King Curtis.

Vincent Herring's announcements about the pieces also contribute to the pleasant atmosphere, and there is no shortage of allusions to the current political situation in the USA.

With irony and subtle humor, he tells anecdotes or even fictitious stories, just as Dizzy Gillespie or Cannonball Adderley did.

(Louis Reitz, Weiden)

Vincent Herring and Joris Dudli look back on a long and fruitful collaboration. Together with rising star Erena Terakubo and the outstanding musicians Gary Fisher on piano and Essiet Essiet on bass, Soul Chemistry presents a rousing and consistently extremely soulful contemporary jazz. The first album received a four-star review from Downbeat!

About the musicians in detail:

Vincent Herring - alto saxophone

Vincent is a saxophone virtuoso with a uniquely intense and powerful musical voice. In the early 1980s, he first toured Europe and the USA with Lionel Hampton's Big Band and worked with Nat Adderley for nine years. Along the way, he has collaborated with greats such as Cedar Walton, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Hayes, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition, The Mingus Big Band, Kenny Barron, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Billy Taylor, and many others. Vincent has been a guest soloist with numerous artists and ensembles, including Wynton Marsalis and John Faddis with the Carnegie Hall Big Band. While gaining these impressive credentials, Vincent continually developed his own voice and style.

Erena Terakubo – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone

Erena Terakubo is a versatile saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist, and composer from Sapporo, Japan. While still in high school, Terakubo released her debut album, "North Bird," a collaboration with Kenny Barron, Christian McBride, Lee Pearson, and Peter Bernstein, which reached number one on the Japanese jazz charts and was awarded a Swing Journal Gold Disc. Terakubo has performed at prestigious venues and events, including International Jazz Day 2022 at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York, the Tokyo Jazz Festival, the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Dizzy's Jazz Club Jazz at Lincoln Center, and many others.

Gary Fisher - Piano

Gary grew up near Detroit, Michigan, and moved to New York City in 1997. Artists with whom Gary has performed include Chet Baker, Richard Bona, Randy Brecker, Richie Cole, John Handy, Eddie Henderson, Tonhino Horta, David “Fathead” Newman, Jerome Richardson, Lou Soloff, Orlando “Maraca” Valle, Dave Valentin, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, and Jeff Watts. He has performed in the "Jazz at Maybeck Hall" solo piano series (broadcast on National Public Radio), the Soapbox Gallery solo piano series, and as a guest artist on Marian McPartland's syndicated NPR show "Piano Jazz."

Essiet Essiet - Bass

As one of the leading bassists on the international jazz scene, Essiet, a native of Nigeria, is an established name worldwide. Among numerous other great musicians, he has recorded and performed with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Abdullah Ibrahim - Dollar Brand, Bobby Watson's Horizon with Victor Lewis, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Donald Brown, Billy Cobham, and Danilo Perez, to name a few.

Joris Dudli - drums

Joris was a permanent member of the Vienna Art Orchestra and the Art Farmer Quintet from 1979 to 1985. After moving to the USA in 1986, he worked with many of the world's great jazz musicians: The Zawinul Syndicate, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Johnny Griffin, Mulgrew Miller, Clifford Jordan, Joe Lovano, Chico Freeman, Joe Henderson, and many more.

On Tuesday, 20 February 2024 at 7:00 PM

in Jever Town Hall, Anton Günther Hall...

we heard

The Rick Hollander Band featuring Brian Levy with

Dr. Brian Levy - tenor saxophone, flute (USA)
Paul Brändle - Guitar, Baritone Guitar (Germany)

Giampaolo Laurentaci - bass (Italy)

Rick Hollander - drums, steel drum, vocals (USA)

Tour motto: Beauty Is The Standard

Entrance fee 20,- €

For everyone under thirty: 10,- €

with student ID as usual admission frei

Immediately following their three-week tour in Japan, "The RHQ" will once again tour Europe with their unique instrumentation and unmistakable style. Tradition and avant-garde merge in a collection of seemingly familiar standards, presented as never before.

Brian Levy's saxophone and flute playing combines great virtuosity with sensitivity. Guitarist Paul Brändle enriches the band's identity with his keen sense of harmony and sound. Paul's calm, measured approach reflects his stylistic maturity.

Originally from Lecce, Italy, bassist Giampaolo Laurentaci is a driving and commanding force of RHQ. Giampaolo attended the Prins Claus Conservatorium in Groningen, Holland, and the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, where he earned a master's degree. He expresses his vast knowledge of the jazz tradition with a strong pulse.

Whether on drums or steel drums, bandleader Rick Hollander envelops the RHQ sound with broad yet subtle lines. His broad spectrum of timeless ideas defines the sound of the entire band.

... for reservation

Previous concerts:

On Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM

in Jever Town Hall, Anton Günther Hall...

we heard

The Florian Arbenz Trio with

Florian Arbenz: drums, percussion

Greg Osby: sax

Arno Krijger: Hammond B3

Entrance fee 20,- €

For everyone under thirty: 10,- €

Free entry with student ID as always

"Jazz is supposed to be the most unselfish of art forms. In jazz, you give yourself completely to make someone else play their best. You try to do something to make them, inspire them to do something. So it is a matter of sacrifice." (Dizzy Gillespie)

In his almost 30-year musical career, Florian Arbenz has repeatedly proven that he is not only a brilliant drummer, but also has a good nose for unusual and gripping combinations of musicians and instruments.

This is fully evident in this trio featuring American sax legend and longtime BlueNote artist Greg Osby and Dutch Hammond virtuoso Arno Krijger. The trio transports the listener into a world of rhythmic tension, swinging solos, virtuoso improvisations, and dreamy sounds.

Florian Arbenz and Greg Osby have worked together in countless formations since 1998. For the first time, they're now on stage with Arno Krijger and his Hammond organ. Arno is one of the few Hammond specialists who has mastered playing bass with his feet.

This gives him more freedom to modulate the Hammond sound with the built-in effects. This makes his playing more like that of an orchestra than a single musician.

In addition to the listening pleasure, it is a true feast for the eyes to watch Arno Krijger master his Hammond!

Press reviews:

“Arguably one of the best drummers in Europe”

John Fordham, The Guardian about Florian Arbenz

“One of the most forward thinking artists in contemporary jazz”

Mark F. Turner, All about jazz about Greg Osby

"Arno Krijger is the secret weapon. The way that the versatile organist sonically steers the proceedings, sometimes punchy, other times deliberately oblique, is pretty nifty and Krijger's misterioso stories are balanced and to the point"

Flophouse Magazine about Arno Krijger New Text

... for reservation

The program “Out of the Blue” promises a deep dive into the unknown, into a delicate, melodic and harmonious jazz concert evening. The outstanding top musicians around Susanne Menzel & Klaus Ignatzek have known each other for years. Through concerts played together and numerous jazz workshops taught by colleagues, a musical friendship, appreciation, and affection have developed.

The album “Out Of The Blue” (TimezoneRecords) was created in 2022 out of the need to capture the musical moments experienced together.

Klaus Ignatzek(Piano) has been part of the European jazz pianist and composer scene for over 40 years. Over 63 recordings with nearly 300 original compositions have been released worldwide under his name, including collaborations with international jazz legends such as Joe Henderson, Claudio Roditi, Bobby Watson, Billy Hart, Dave Liebman, and many more. He is not only a virtuoso pianist and composer, but also an outstanding storyteller, drawing on a wealth of experience from decades of musical creativity. www.klausignatzek.de

Susanne Menzel, jazz singer and lyricist, has released five jazz albums with Klaus Ignatzek. Various tours followed. The trade press ranks Susanne as one of Germany's most listenable jazz singers. On her latest album, "Out Of The Blue," Susanne also makes her debut as a composer. After studying jazz at the Dresden University of Music and Performing Arts and Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, she found happiness in Oldenburg, where she also works as a lecturer in pop/jazz singing at the Institute of Music at the University of Oldenburg. www.susannemenzel.de

Florian Trübsbach (saxophone) was fortunate enough to play as a soloist with the Tölzer Knabenchor at a young age, performing alongside luminaries such as Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado, and Lorin Maazel. Accidentally attending a Dizzy Gillespie concert, he became passionate about jazz. He traded his violin for the saxophone, completed his jazz studies in Munich, and was awarded the Bavarian State Prize for Young Artists. www.floriantruebsbach.de

Sven Faller (double bass) studied at the Mannes College of Music in New York. For six years, he immersed himself in the city's diverse music scene, accompanying Bobby Sanabria's Afro-Cuban Band, Chico Freeman, and Bobby Watson, and working in the studio as a double and electric bassist with Jane Monheit, the Rolling Stones Horns, and members of the NY Philharmonic. Back in Germany, he accompanied Konstantin Wecker, Larry Coryell, Scott Hamilton, Don Menza, and Charlie Mariano for several years. His album "Night Music" was released in 2016. www.svenfaller.eu

Christian Schoenefeldt (drums) studied at the Hilversum Conservatory. Extensive concert engagements and CD and radio productions have taken him to South and Central America, Australia, India, and Japan, among other places. He has won multiple awards at the Jazz Podium Niedersachsen. Christian has worked with international greats such as Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Peter Bernstein, Jimmy Woode, Herb Geller, Richie Beirach, and Bennie Bailey. www.christian-schoenefeldt.de

Concerts during the Academy Week 2023

The sixth North Sea Jazz Academy is coming up. During the academy week, we'll be featuring a concert by our brilliant quintet of instructors under the direction of Klaus Ignatzek, a relaxed, improvised jam session with numerous guests, and the final concert of the participants. Reservations, as always, are available through our Contact page.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 8 p.m.

Jever Town Hall (Anton Günther Hall)and church square

Jazz Academy lecturer concert

Klaus Ignatzek, piano

Florian Trübsbach, saxophone

Sven Faller, bass
Susanne Menzel, Vocals
Christian Schoenefeldt, drums

Entrance fee 20 €

for everyone under 30 only 10 €

Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 8 p.m.
Jever, church square, in front of the town hall

Jam session

with participants of the Jazz Academy and guests

admission free

Friday, July 28, 2023 at 8 p.m.
Jever Town Hall (Anton-Günther-Saal) and Church Square

Participant final concert

admission free

On Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 7:00 PM

in Jever Town Hall, Anton Günther Hall...

we heard

The Ed Kröger Quintet with

Ed Kröger – trombone
Ignaz Dinné – tenor saxophone
Vincent Bourgeyx – Piano
Axel Leiß – double bass
Rick Hollander – drums

In his long stage career, Ed Kröger has played with the "who's who" of European jazz. He was part of Harald Eckstein's sextet and, in 1967, founded his own group with Sigi Busch and Heinrich Hock. In 1968, the group (expanded to include Joe Viera) toured Austria, Hungary, and Luxembourg.

Kröger worked with Marion Brown, Steve McCall, Gerd Dudek, and Albert Mangelsdorff, among others, and performed in the free jazz groups of Fred Van Hove and Wolfgang Dauner at the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1968 and 1969. In 1973, Kröger switched to the piano, playing in his own trio, but also with Manfred Schoof, Wolfgang Engstfeld, Christof Lauer, Uli Beckerhoff, and Wolfgang Lackerschmid.

In 1984 he returned to the trombone and founded the group “Trombone Jazz” (with Detlev Beier, among others).

The current Ed Kröger Quintet, featuring Ignaz Dinné (tenor saxophone), Vincent Bourgeyx (piano), Axel Leiß (double bass), and Rick Hollander (drums), is one of the most exciting and virtuosic ensembles in the hard bop tradition. With their compositions, Ed Kröger and Ignaz Dinné lend the quintet's sound its own distinctive flavor.

During his numerous performances, Ed Kröger and his quintet have gained many fans who can now look forward to seeing them again.

Press reviews

Making an old musical tradition sound fresh, vibrant, and timelessly cool is no easy undertaking. The pitfalls between preservation and renewal, between purism and openness, are treacherous and complex. Trombonist Ed Kröger, a tireless driving force of the Bremen jazz scene, and his quintet have been doing this brilliantly for several years in the case of the old modern jazz and hard bob tradition.

York Schaefer in the Weser-Kurier (2017)

The Ed Kröger Quintet reveals itself as a wonderfully harmonious collective.

Christoph Giese, Jazzthing

Ed Kröger fills the hard bop tradition with new content and very individual features that make the whole thing sound fresh, lively and contemporary.

Benno Bartsch, Jazz Podium

Ed Kröger is one of the most interesting trombonists on the German jazz scene.

Martin Kunzler, rororo jazz lexicon

Reservations as always via our Contact page.

Friday, 04. November 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

Jever Town Hall, Anton Günther Hall

Joris Dudli with Wallace Roney Jr.

Wallace Roney Jr. – trumpet
Gregor Storf – piano, tenor saxophone
Michael Acker – Bass
Joris Dudli – Drums

An extraordinary concert experience awaits music lovers in Jever. The Viennese percussionist Joris Dudli performs with his new quartet. He has recruited three sensational young musicians for this formation.

In the supporting program: Groove Elevator from Jever, a new highlight of our jazz scene.

Joris Dudli (drums) was a permanent member of the Vienna Art Orchestra and the Art Farmer Quintet from 1979 to 1985. After moving to the USA in 1986, he has performed and recorded with many of the world's greatest jazz musicians: His long-standing collaboration with the great altoist Vincent Herring received four stars for the album "SOUL CHEMISTRY" in the renowned magazine Downbeat. In 2021, he founded the quintet "New York Jazz Partners" with, among others, Jeremy Pelt, Wayne Escoffery, Eric Alexander, and Wallace Roney. Wallace Roney Jr. (trumpet)

For Wallace Roney (trumpet)Born in 1996, music has always been a part of his family. His mother was pianist Geri Allen. By the age of 10, Wallace had shared the stage with many legends, including Chick Corea, Jimmy Heath, Lenny White, Buster Williams, and Ornette Coleman. Wallace Roney Jr. is a graduate of the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Gregor Storf (tenor saxophone, piano, drums) Born in 1997, he developed into a multi-instrumentalist within just a few years. From 2013 to 2017, he completed his bachelor's degree in jazz drums instrumental pedagogy with Joris Dudli and jazz piano with Dejan Pečenko at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz. Further jazz studies followed in Vienna. In 2022, he was invited to the Percfest Laigueglia, Italy, where he played with major figures of the Italian jazz scene, including Flavio Boltro and Roberto Bonaccorso.

Michael Acker (bass) Born in 1989 in Brasov, Romania, he moved to Bucharest in 2008 to study jazz at the University of Music and, after just a few years, became one of the most sought-after bassists on the Romanian jazz scene. He moved to Vienna in 2020. Since then, he has shared the stage with international musicians such as Mircea Tiberian, Sorin Zlat, Joel Holmes, Kamaal Williams, Antonio de Padua, and many more.

Entrance fee: 20 €

for everyone under 30: 10 €

On Friday, 14 October 2022 at 8:00 PM

in Jever Town Hall, Anton Günther Hall...

...you can spend a very special evening with these three gentlemen. They are...

MaxMantis from Lucerne

Lukas Gernet (piano)
Rafael Jerjen (bass)
Samuel Büttiker (drums)

Marvel meets DC meets Jazz: that's MaxMantis – three exceptional instrumentalists who use musical themes, jingles and free improvisation to tell the ever-evolving heroic stories of the MaxMantis clan.

The trio’s concept is based on programmatic elements and leitmotifs:

Every hero, every helper, and every villain in the MaxMantis Empire has a melody that can be escaped at any time. There are no fixed roles.

The deep musical understanding between the three friends and the urge for new ideas leads the heroes beyond stylistic and playing boundaries.

MaxMantris was founded in 2015, won the ZKB Jazz Prize (Audience Award) in 2019 at the Zurich jazz club Moods and has released three albums to date.

Discography:

PINK – 2016 Live

GREEN – 2018 Studio

BLUE – 2022 Studio

Entrance fee: 20 €

for everyone under 30: 10 €

The fifth North Sea Jazz Academy will once again make Jever shine. During the academy week, we'll enjoy a concert by our brilliant quintet of instructors under the direction of Klaus Ignatzek, a relaxed, improvised jam session with numerous guests, and the final concert of the participants. Reservations, as always, are available through our Contact page.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 8 p.m.

Jever Town Hall (Anton Günther Hall)and church square

Jazz Academy lecturer concert

Klaus Ignatzek, piano

Florian Trübsbach, sax

Sven Faller, bass
Susanne Menzel, Vocals
Christian Schoenefeldt, drums

(with CD release "Out of the Blue")

Entrance fee 20 €

for everyone under 30 only 10 €

Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 8 p.m.
Jever, church square, in front of the town hall

Jam session

with participants of the Jazz Academy and guests

admission free

Friday, August 19, 2022 at 8 p.m.
Jever Town Hall (Anton-Günther-Saal) and Church Square

Participant final concert

admission free



Tuesday, 23 November 2021 at 7:30 p.m.

Jever Town Hall, Anton Günther Hall

Wayne Escoffery & Partners in Jazz

Wayne Escoffery – tenor saxophone
Essiet Essiet – Bass
Jeremy Pelt – trumpet
Joris Dudli – drums
Luca Mannutza – Piano

Jeremy Pelt and Joris Dudli have worked together on several projects in the past. Essiet has long been the first choice on bass. Luca Mannutza joined the band in 2019 when he joined them for the first time for a tour from Rome. This new partnership is completed by Wayne Escoffery, one of the most important tenorists in jazz today.

A classic jazz quintet with US stars who are rarely heard in Germany.

Entrance fee: 20 €

for everyone under 30: 10 €

Further information on our Concert flyer.

Monday, 1 November 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Jever Town Hall, Anton-Günther-Saal

Florian Arbenz and the European-Cuban project Convergence:

Florian Arbenz Dr.
Jorge Vistel tp
Maikel Vistel sax
Jim Hart vibes
Rafael Jerjen b
Nelson Veras g

The project Convergence brings together five internationally renowned musicians of the younger jazz generation. Florian Arbenz, best known through the piano trio VEIN, forms together with the Cuban Vistel brothersn, the English vibraphonist Jim Hart, the Australian bassist Rafael Jerjen and the Brazilian guitarist Nelson Verasan international and highly attractive line-up.

Due to possible restrictions due to the hygiene concept, this concert will be the last time the Free entry.

Be played Compositions of the individual band membersMutual inspiration is paramount. The musicians of Convergence effortlessly master the groovy and challenging themes and forms of their compositions, while simultaneously leaving their mark on the music with their spontaneity and tremendous joy of playing.

Further information on our Concert flyer.

Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 6 p.m.
in front of Cafe Mamma Mia on the church square in Jever

Miriam Borchardt and Miguel Cisneros, the Singing duo MiM, give in the Jazz Academy's Masterclass series a concert with original compositions and cover songs from various stylistic areas, but especially with jazz and folk influences.



Concerts during the Academy Week 2021:



This year, the Jazz Academy's concerts are scheduled to take place again despite the pandemic. Therefore, we ask that you observe the following hygiene rules:

• As a concertgoer, please leave your contact details when making your reservation (or at reception) and wear a face mask while not taking your seat.
• Please let us know your group size when making your reservation and we will arrange the chairs accordingly.

Groups of up to 10 people are permitted. It is important to maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from all persons who are not part of your household or group.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 8 p.m.

Jever Town Hall (Anton Günther Hall)and church square

Lecturer concert of the Jazz Academy

Klaus Ignatzek, piano

Florian Trübsbach, sax

Sven Faller, bass
Susanne Menzel, Vocals
Christian Schoenefeldt, drums

Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 8 p.m.
Jever, church square, in front of the town hall

Jam session

with participants of the Jazz Academy and guests

Friday, August 20, 2021 at 8 p.m.
Jever Town Hall (Anton-Günther-Saal) and Church Square

Participant final concert

Concerts during the Academy Week 2020:

Even though it wasn't entirely easy this year, the Jazz Academy's concerts were supposed to take place. The following hygiene rules applied this year:

• As a concert-goer, please leave your contact details when making your reservation (or at reception) and wear a face mask in enclosed spaces as long as you are not seated.
• Please let us know your group size when making your reservation and we will arrange the chairs accordingly.

Groups of up to 10 people are permitted. It is important to maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from all persons who are not part of your household or group.