Jazzahead! Opens With A Bang
Friday, April 24, 2015
Jazzahead!, the annual jazz exhibition, new music showcase and conference, opened today to much fanfare as the jazz world descended on Bremen, Germany to participate in the 10th anniversary of this increasingly important event.
With over 40 showcase concerts happening over the event, which runs from 23 -26 April, alongside 800 exhibiting companies, over 3,000 professional participants and an additional 60 bands playing the Club night Programme, Jazzahead! is almost like a jazz Version of South By South West, the massive rock Showcase/conference that takes place annually in Austin, Texas. But with more happy hour drink sessions from the 50 countries represented.
Pick of the opening night's performances, showcasing both new and established French jazz artists, included Henri Texier Hope Quartet, Papanosh and Donkey Monkey, who shook the rafters of the historic Kulturzentrum Schlachthof. Tonight's Showcases include the Australian Art Orchestra, who mash-up ethnic traditions with hard driving bop grooves, hot Brazilian pianist and singer Ed Motta, forward looking Canadian piano trio, Myriad3, an endless Club Programme, secret after parties and little hope of much sleep. On today's ample evidence Jazzahead! looks like racking up another record year.