For the twentieth anniversary gala of what has become a Rhineland rite of springtime and swing time, the observant organizers of the Dusseldorf Jazz Rally simply continued doing what they do best. That’s all jazz, all the time. Once again, the Jazz Rally lives up to its name with a program composed of almost 100% pure jazz.
It can’t be denied that many major festivals which feature jazz (even in name) must depend on more crossover mainstream headliners to supplement high overhead, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still many consumers who will come for a complete, non-distracted jazz experience. Proof in Dusseldorf is evident in the long, early lines and overflow crowds throughout dozens of Rally locations. A high percentage of the thousands who attend each year are return visitors.
While the Jazz Rally doesn’t book the most expensive star power for festival season, the roster often features global performers equal to almost anyone in ability and talent. The Jazz Rally’s expert planners achieve optimal results by matching artists with many central city, historic municipal buildings or public spaces.
The renown “altstadt” (old town) area is an ideal location for most of the Rally’s stages, with free outdoor stage ”open air” shows that running daily from around noon and go well into the night. Shows can range from solo piano to bluegrass bop, with hugely popular Dixieland players of many sorts.
For more intimate shows, uniquely ornate halls that aren’t primarily for music get a nice spin. Some shows are in noteworthy churches, courtyards or municipal buildings. Along with much of Dusseldorf’s general population, the city clearly comes alive. Some venues, like galleries or museums, offer one time affairs while others, like the opera house, have become perennial favorites.
Organizers wisely elected to continue the Jazz Rally’s kickoff show at the monumental ruins of Kaiserswerth Castle, a stunning 9th century structure that belonged to the emperor Barbarossa. This year’s Thursday night opening honors go to drummer Willy Ketzer, letting decades speak for themselves from his 30 year association with Paul Kuhn. Multi-instrumentalist and popular comedian Helge Schneider joins in, with festival opening support from the student all stars of the Big Band der Theodor Fliedner Gymnasiums.
The only show that can’t really be classified as definite jazz occurs in another great setting, an Air Berlin terminal. This year’s headliner, rocker Rea Garvey recently released a jazzy crooner collaboration, so he does have some connection to the genre.
One of the most anticipated gigs of the weekend happens Friday night, when bass master Helmut Hattler and vocalist/trumpeter Joo Kraus get back together after well over a decade since their solid “Tab Two” teaming. Funky, well-travelled Hattler can bend the bottom lines as coolly as anyone, a player worth seeing in any format.
The festival’s largest “indoor” venue is the Burgplatz Tent, a temporary structure that fits about 4000 people and usually ends up squeezing in many more, with long lines on the cobblestones outside. Friday the tent features Dutch vocalist Wouter Hamel and on the following evening, Brit-based Nigerian singer Ola Onabule could turn out to be one of the festival’s very highest points. Festival icon Klaus Doldinger’s Passport is always a favorite set, so with them sharing the tent on Saturday it will be a guaranteed full house all night.
A co-promotion with the Dusseldorf Schumanfest created a jazz orchestra collaboration for Sunday at the symphonic Tonhalle, one of the highlight’s of the Rally’s busy closing day, with the free shows starting at 11am.
The clear exterior area of the NRW parliament hall is one of the many impressive structures near the Media Harbor, where an assortment of architectural wonders form a unique business district. In recent years, Sunday afternoon shows have shined. This year looks should be great again, with Michael Wollny’s [em] Trio and the Chuck Loeb Quartet featuring Loeb’s daughter Lizzy on vocals and acoustic guitar. Her solo stuff is sweet, hopefully she’ll share some of a pending release.
Sunday night the tent will be hot once again, starting with the UK’s funky, trending Haggis Horns and singer Lucinda Slim followed by the Kyle Eastwood Quartet. After that, it’s off to the opera house, which has proven very jazz friendly. Tonight’s special show features the Klaus Doldinger-Ali Haurand Quartet.
Another category in which the Jazz Rally is hard to match comes in the category of food and drink. As part of the widely proclaimed “World’s Longest Bar”area near the Rhine, most pathways between concert venues are literally surrounded by a full spectrum of pubs, restaurants, and local favorite “Alt Bier” breweries. Hungry hoards who attend each year find no lack of welcoming cuisine.
Even with the abundance of culture and activities that regularly propel Dusseldorf to near the top of “best places to live” type polls, the Jazz Rally has earned distinction as Dusseldorf’s top entertainment attraction each spring. The 20th edition promises to continue that strong, spirited jazz tradition.
It can’t be denied that many major festivals which feature jazz (even in name) must depend on more crossover mainstream headliners to supplement high overhead, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still many consumers who will come for a complete, non-distracted jazz experience. Proof in Dusseldorf is evident in the long, early lines and overflow crowds throughout dozens of Rally locations. A high percentage of the thousands who attend each year are return visitors.
While the Jazz Rally doesn’t book the most expensive star power for festival season, the roster often features global performers equal to almost anyone in ability and talent. The Jazz Rally’s expert planners achieve optimal results by matching artists with many central city, historic municipal buildings or public spaces.
The renown “altstadt” (old town) area is an ideal location for most of the Rally’s stages, with free outdoor stage ”open air” shows that running daily from around noon and go well into the night. Shows can range from solo piano to bluegrass bop, with hugely popular Dixieland players of many sorts.
For more intimate shows, uniquely ornate halls that aren’t primarily for music get a nice spin. Some shows are in noteworthy churches, courtyards or municipal buildings. Along with much of Dusseldorf’s general population, the city clearly comes alive. Some venues, like galleries or museums, offer one time affairs while others, like the opera house, have become perennial favorites.
Organizers wisely elected to continue the Jazz Rally’s kickoff show at the monumental ruins of Kaiserswerth Castle, a stunning 9th century structure that belonged to the emperor Barbarossa. This year’s Thursday night opening honors go to drummer Willy Ketzer, letting decades speak for themselves from his 30 year association with Paul Kuhn. Multi-instrumentalist and popular comedian Helge Schneider joins in, with festival opening support from the student all stars of the Big Band der Theodor Fliedner Gymnasiums.
The only show that can’t really be classified as definite jazz occurs in another great setting, an Air Berlin terminal. This year’s headliner, rocker Rea Garvey recently released a jazzy crooner collaboration, so he does have some connection to the genre.
One of the most anticipated gigs of the weekend happens Friday night, when bass master Helmut Hattler and vocalist/trumpeter Joo Kraus get back together after well over a decade since their solid “Tab Two” teaming. Funky, well-travelled Hattler can bend the bottom lines as coolly as anyone, a player worth seeing in any format.
The festival’s largest “indoor” venue is the Burgplatz Tent, a temporary structure that fits about 4000 people and usually ends up squeezing in many more, with long lines on the cobblestones outside. Friday the tent features Dutch vocalist Wouter Hamel and on the following evening, Brit-based Nigerian singer Ola Onabule could turn out to be one of the festival’s very highest points. Festival icon Klaus Doldinger’s Passport is always a favorite set, so with them sharing the tent on Saturday it will be a guaranteed full house all night.
A co-promotion with the Dusseldorf Schumanfest created a jazz orchestra collaboration for Sunday at the symphonic Tonhalle, one of the highlight’s of the Rally’s busy closing day, with the free shows starting at 11am.
The clear exterior area of the NRW parliament hall is one of the many impressive structures near the Media Harbor, where an assortment of architectural wonders form a unique business district. In recent years, Sunday afternoon shows have shined. This year looks should be great again, with Michael Wollny’s [em] Trio and the Chuck Loeb Quartet featuring Loeb’s daughter Lizzy on vocals and acoustic guitar. Her solo stuff is sweet, hopefully she’ll share some of a pending release.
Sunday night the tent will be hot once again, starting with the UK’s funky, trending Haggis Horns and singer Lucinda Slim followed by the Kyle Eastwood Quartet. After that, it’s off to the opera house, which has proven very jazz friendly. Tonight’s special show features the Klaus Doldinger-Ali Haurand Quartet.
Another category in which the Jazz Rally is hard to match comes in the category of food and drink. As part of the widely proclaimed “World’s Longest Bar”area near the Rhine, most pathways between concert venues are literally surrounded by a full spectrum of pubs, restaurants, and local favorite “Alt Bier” breweries. Hungry hoards who attend each year find no lack of welcoming cuisine.
Even with the abundance of culture and activities that regularly propel Dusseldorf to near the top of “best places to live” type polls, the Jazz Rally has earned distinction as Dusseldorf’s top entertainment attraction each spring. The 20th edition promises to continue that strong, spirited jazz tradition.
