See Jazz
🎷 **Sensibilität im Bild**
In diesem Bereich findest du Fotos und Gedanken zu Jazzkonzerten - sowohl intime als auch größere
Events.
Jazz ist für mich nicht nur Musik, sondern eine Art, die Welt zu empfinden.
Deshalb versuche ich, die Musik mit den Augen zu sehen, bevor ich sie fotografiere.
Meine Sammlung an Jazzplatten ist nur ein kleiner Teil meines gesamten Archivs –
ein Bonus für mich als langjähriger Leser der Zeitschrift Jazz Forum.*
Ich kenne und schätze die großen Klassiker und Standards des Jazz -
doch die stärksten Emotionen weckt bei mir der freie Jazz, der sich nicht an Vorgaben hält,
sondern im Moment entsteht. Unerwartet, roh, ehrlich.
Genau darin liegt für mich seine Kraft.
Jazz muss man live erleben.
Denn Jazz ist nicht nur Musik - es ist ein Moment, der genau hier und jetzt geschieht.
Man kann ihn nicht wiederholen.
Jazz ist Atem, Stille, Zittern - Emotionen, die in Klang verwandelt werden.
Wenn der Ton durch den Raum vibriert und Musiker und Publikum eins werden - dann geschieht etwas Besonderes.
Genau diese Art von Konzert ist es, bei dem die Grenze zwischen Bühne und Zuschauerraum verschwindet.
In solchen Momenten zu fotografieren ist eine Kunst für sich.
Keine Technik, kein Equipment – sondern Intuition.
Man muss fast unsichtbar sein. Ein stiller Beobachter. Denn hier zählt jeder Ton, jede Bewegung.
Jazzpublikum verzeiht keinen falschen Ton - auch nicht im Verhalten.
Ein unnötiger Schritt reicht aus, um die Atmosphäre zu stören.
Deshalb versuche ich - als Fotograf - den Moment nicht zu zerstören.
Da zu sein, als wäre ich nicht da.
Ob es mir immer gelingt? Wahrscheinlich nicht.
Oder besser gesagt: Es ist nicht immer möglich.
Aber ich versuche es - jedes Mal.
Solche Momente möchte ich einfangen -
und nur solche Bilder findest Du in den folgenden Unterseiten dieses Bereichs.
* Jazz Forum - The Europpean Jazz Magazine.- Ein in Polen erscheinendes Monatsmagazin, das sich der Jazzmusik widmet.
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally 2009
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally 2009 (May 29-31) - three days filled with music in the heart of the city. The stages hosted both international artists and Polish musicians, including Anna Maria Jopek and Tomasz Stańko.
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally 2010
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally 2010 (May 21-24) - the 18th edition once again turned Düsseldorf into a city of jazz, with over 70 concerts across numerous stages, bringing together international stars and fresh talents.
15th Hildener Jazz Days -Jubilee Edition (2010)
The 15th Hildener Jazz Days celebrated a special milestone - a “Jubilee Edition” of one of Germany’s most distinctive jazz festivals. Known for its family-like atmosphere, short distances between venues and relaxed mood, the festival has become a cultural beacon for the city of Hilden.
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally 2011
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally 2011 (June 9-12) - four days of jazz, funk and soul on stages throughout the city, featuring top-class musicians and a vibrant festival atmosphere.
16th Hildener Jazz Days - Meetings NRW & Guests (2011)
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally 2012
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally 2012 (May 24-27) - an anniversary year with 20 years of history, 70 concerts and 400 artists, combining international names, jazz legends and new voices.
17th Hildener Jazz Days - World Jazz / Jazz World (2012)
A festival of cross-cultural sounds and exciting encounters beyond genre borders, featuring top artists like saxophonist Karolina Strassmayer and her band Klaro.
18th Hildener Jazz Days - Lust for Jazz (2013)
Hilden Jazz Days 2013 - the 18th edition (May 28 – June 2) invited audiences on a joyful journey under the motto “Lust auf Jazz” with a wide spectrum of styles: from Caribbean grooves and classic big band sounds to experimental performances.
19th Hildener Jazz Days (2014)
This year remains a gap in my photo archive. Due to the theft of my camera, I was unable to document the concerts. The festival took place, of course – with its usual energy and variety - but here it lives only in memories.
If anyone has preserved photos from the 2014 edition and would like to share them, I would be happy to include a few impressions here.
20th Hildener Jazz Days - ,,Best Of" (2015)
The Hildener Jazztage celebrated their 20th anniversary – a milestone for one of the most established jazz festivals in Germany. Spread across various venues in the city, the program brought together national and international artists. For this special birthday, the organizers prepared a festive “Best of” and a few surprises for the audience.
Hildener Jazz Days ,,Body and Soul" (2016)
The 21st edition carried the motto Body & Soul and brought world-class jazz to Hilden once again.
The undisputed highlight was the International Jazznight at the Stadthalle, featuring Richard Bona - the Cameroonian singer and bassist often hailed as the “African Sting.” His blend of jazz, African rhythms and infectious grooves electrified the audience.
That same evening, guitarist Axel Fischbacher presented his project The World Is Not a Disc, before the night closed with the groovy
energy of Little Planet.
Hildener Jazz Days ,,My favorite things" (2017)
The 2017 edition once again proved the winning recipe of Peter Baumgärtner and Uwe Muth: mixing outstanding newcomers, seasoned masters and international stars.
A true highlight was the International Jazznight at the sold-out Stadthalle – with a world premiere by Manu Katché’s new Power Trio, joined by Jim Grandcamp (guitar) and Jérôme Regard (bass). Before them, 20-year-old Polish rising star Kinga Głyk amazed the audience with her modern fusion bass playing.
The festival balanced surprises and discoveries - from Rainer Witzel’s funky late-night set to young talents like harmonica player Konstantin Reinfeld. The final concerts at Wilhelm-Fabry-Museum offered a soulful close with André Nendza and Inga Lühning.
Hilden Jazz Days once again showed its unique blend: international names, regional strength, and an ever-growing audience.
Hildener Jazz Days ,,The Ocean of Jazz" (2018)
“Under the art of sound, the sea of our hearts swells like the tide beneath the moon.”
This poetic thought captured the spirit of the 22nd Hildener Jazztage.
For over 20 years, the festival has embodied openness, curiosity and the joy of exploring musical boundaries. Its formula remained the same: talented newcomers, seasoned masters and international stars sharing the stage to reveal the vast ocean of jazz.
Among many highlights in 2018 was the WDR Big Band, joined by Greek vocalist Magda Giannikou and Colombian arranger Juan Andrés Ospina. In a unique setting, the audience surrounded the ensemble for an intimate concert - broadcast live on WDR 3.
Gallery coming soon
24th Hildener Jazz Days ,,Groovin’ High" (2019)
“Be groovy or leave, man.”
(Bob Dylan) - this year’s motto captured the essence of the 24th Hildener Jazztage. Groove was the heartbeat of the festival: when musicians and listeners unite in rhythm, a unique magic arises.
In 2019, “half the world” was invited to Hilden. Artists from Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Lebanon and South Africa brought their own backgrounds, but shared one thing in common: they grooved.
A highlight was the International Jazznight in the Stadthalle, featuring legendary drummer Wolfgang Haffner. Known for his unmistakable touch, Haffner has worked with global icons like Al Jarreau, Pat Metheny and Hildegard Knef - and in Hilden he once again proved why he is celebrated worldwide.
Gallery coming soon
26th Hildener Jazz Days ,,Stolen Moments" (2022)
In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language.” - Henry David Thoreau
The 26th Hildener Jazztage carried the theme “Stolen Moments”. For five days, the festival offered spaces for listening, reflection and shared joy. In uncertain times, these concerts became precious moments - stolen, yet unforgettable.
Gallery coming soon
27th Hildener Jazz Days ,,Invitation" (2023)
From May 31 to June 4, the 27th edition of the Hildener Jazztage took place under the motto “Invitation”. True to its tradition of combining family-like atmosphere with top-class artistry, the festival once again offered a colorful and diverse program.
Highlights included saxophonist Bob Mintzer with the WDR Big Band (“Bring in the Funk!”), the Swiss project A Novel of Anomaly around Andreas Schaerer, and a brilliant trio with Biréli Lagrène, Joscho Stephan and Volker Kamp.
Equally impressive were collaborations such as Roger Hanschel with String Thing (“Beauty of the Essential Detail”), pianist Sebastian Gahler’s Murakami-inspired quartet, and the Organic Blues Project with US singer Brenda Boykin.
28th Hildener Jazz Days ,,Blue in Green" (2024)
From May 22 to 26, the 28th edition of the Hildener Jazztage took place under the poetic motto “Blue in Green”. The festival, firmly established since its founding in 1996, once again offered twelve concerts in various venues across the city – combining international stars with leading voices from the German jazz scene, especially North Rhine-Westphalia.
The title, inspired by Miles Davis’ timeless ballad, symbolizes wisdom, harmony, life and renewal – all qualities embodied by jazz itself. True to this spirit, the festival celebrated openness, diversity, and the unifying power of music in a warm, familiar atmosphere.
29th Hildener Jazz Days ,,Now's the Time!" (2025)
From May 28 to June 1, the 29th edition of the Hildener Jazztage carried the motto “Now’s the Time”, inspired by the legendary jazz blues by Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. The piece, first recorded at the famous “Koko Session” in 1945, quickly became a classic of the bebop era – and serves as a perfect metaphor for the present: now is the time for jazz.
Once again, the festival brought unforgettable concerts and encounters to Hilden, affirming its reputation as one of the leading jazz events in Germany – and staying true to its tradition of offering top-class music at a fair price.
Ein Wort vom Fotografen
Zum Schluss:
Ich zeige hier nur Bilder, die mich emotional berührt haben.
Du wirst hier nicht alles und jeden finden - nicht aus Geringschätzung,
sondern weil der Moment fehlte, der mich innerlich bewegt hat.
Wenn du dich oder deine Band hier nicht findest - bitte nimm es mir nicht übel.
Vielleicht hat es einfach diesmal nicht gefunkt.
Schöne, aber leere Bilder überlasse ich lieber Facebook.
Hier gibt es nur Aufnahmen mit Gefühl -
und nur für die übernehme ich Verantwortung
