KulturArena Jena

His 250^th birthday is reason enough for us to celebrate Schiller, the author of this year’s summer spectacle. With this event the Theaterhaus Jena inaugurates  the Kulturarena annually. And thus, the journey takes us straight to Switzerland – to the high mountains, deep valleys and secretive, deep lakes. Who hasn’t heard these words before: “An axe in the house will save a joiner’s labour”, or the apple-shooteing incident? Many phantasmagorical pictures can be painted with Wilhelm Tell, as well as the longing for nature, freedom and shared energy and passion.

The Cat Empire is the most successful and refreshing band from down under. Their songs combine elements from jazz, hip hop, latin and pub rock, mixing them up and presenting them at unbelievable contagious live performances. Playing gigs is Cat Empire’s live elixir - without it they wouldn’t be half as happy. However, the world, too, would probably be an unhappy place without this band.

The history of Mother‘s Finest goes back to the 1960s, when the success of the first mixed-race Funk Rock bands opened the eyes of Joyce „Baby Jean“ and Glen „Doc“ Murdock, and so they said: Good-bye Motown and Hello Rock! They have provoked America not just with their explicit song titles, but also with their passion for coarse rock. In Europe this mix has been particularly successful and since the 1970s they have become official members of rock royalty. Since 2003, the band has been reunited and impress with the well-loved Mother’s sound of modern hip-hop and electronica.

Our world is getting globalized. This fact is being proofed by Gentleman a.k.a. Tillman Otto. The Cologne native, who regularly has been to Jamaica since he was 17, has nurtured and grown his love for reggae even in our rather cold and coarse climate and now extends his fan base with continuously sold out gigs.

The American Esperanza Spalding is regarded as the newcomer of the US jazz scene and is highly praised by critics: incredibly natural, a talented singer, virtuous double bass player and innovative composer – these are only a few of the appraisals bestowed. This young musician blasts all boundaries of jazz and opens the doors to soul, rock and funk. The result is versatile summer music with a groovy bass line and beautiful vocals.

Frank Zappa once said: „Jazz isn’t dead, it only smells funny“. However, he might not have listened to this band when he made this statement, because what these six gentlemen from Tokyo do to the Bebop of their musical ancestors strongly harks back to lively Funk and Acid Jazz-Ecstacy. The fingers run playfully along the piano, the drums start sweating and the trumpet and saxophone scream at their loudest. This music is definitely more suited for the dance floor than for a jazz club. The band members have called the stage their home, everywhere from Fuji Rock to Montreux.

Joe Jackson has achieved almost everything in his music career: being a bar pianist in Portsmouth, studying classical composition at the Royal Academy, playing punk in London, new wave and power pop in New York, as well as classical symphonies all over the world. Thus, he has played his music for more than 30 years. He earned himself a reputation as an unstoppable eclectic, who collects from the vast supplies of music that he has been using as his resource, whatever he needs to create unique songs.

Emiliana Torrini managed to accomplish what only a few have managed to do before her: to create her own, very particular sound. Indie-influenced electronic folk music, carried by her unique voice, which reminds a little of Björk, and makes every single sound, even the most gentle sigh, audible to the listener. Some call it trip hop, others just beautiful.

Desorden Público are one of the founders of the Latin-American ska movement. Founded in 1985, the’ve developed from an underground band, producing dancy and strong 2-tone-punk-ska and clashing with the local authorities on a regular basis, to one of Southern America’s most popular Latin-ska bands. In these days they combine the punching punk-ska of their early years with local Latin sounds, without losing their aim: to change the world. If not more. But always while having some fun.

Yeahh, rocking!! Socalled in the house! Big beats, hip hop, singing, rapping, this all can be done in Yiddish, of course, and also without the traditional klezmer sound. Merci, Socalled aka Mister Dolgin, for the invention of the century: hip hop klezmer. Socalled means hip hop with incredible cultural background, it also means collaborations with Killah Priest and David Krakauer, stage show with Fred Wesley and Gonzales, but it especially means enjoying music and big beats. In Yiddish.

Badi Assad is the sound acrobat of Brazil. Together with her virtuous technique, both on the guitar and with her voice, in combination with an extra portion of passion, she has been conquering audiences all over the world for over twenty years. Her very own Badi-Assad sound represents a unique, but still Southern American sound mix, influenced by jazz and blues and Portuguese-Brazilian rhythm tradition. Sometimes it almost recalls Fado’s melancholic singing, as well as energetic funk.

Sophie Hunger is the postmodern siren of the singer-songwriter movement. Together with her band she plays the most ambiguous songs since Frank Zappa, only more beautifully. Just when you think you’ve caught her playing an authentic, wonderful folk ballad, she wanders off to incorporate something different into her song, suddenly she plays the piano and makes her way through soft harmonies. Sophie Hunger appears intangible, impossible to catch. Yet, she deserves some quietude. Anyway, her stage alter ego is probably one of the sweetest, harmonious surrogates in a long time.

This number combination represents the postcode for Raval, the famous artist quarter and melting pot of different cultures, languages and life styles in the centre of Barcelona. For decades, it has produced new bands that have defined the concept of world music in totally new ways. 08001 are somewhere in between dub, reggae, hip hop and soul, with a hint of arabic rythms, and lit by multilingual lyrics, which reflect the bands multi-cultural sound entitlements in a political way.

Roberto Fonseca can be regarded as one of the biggest pianists in the country even though he is only in his early thirties. Since his youth he has been on the road playing Cuban and international festivals, always going his own way. In the beginning of his career he replaced the famous Rubén Gonzáles at the piano in Ibrahim Ferrer’s orchestra. The traditional Cuban music is his foundation, from here he moves forward using elements from jazz, jungle, drum ’n’ bass and soul while experiencing one thing: Fun.

No matter which love she devotes herself to, the wave icon Anne Clark, born in London in 1960, can always be instantly recognised. The blonde Brit could be described as a „borderline patient“ of the music world, who explores the depth of the human abyss. In her signature style she conjures romance and atmosphere alongside dreamlike sounds that invite one to dance; and she successfully creates a synthesis of electronic and acoustic music.

Michael Wollny and Tamar Halperin are the untouchable rulers in their piano- based kingdoms. Wollny can be regarded as Germany’s biggest jazz piano hope since he played with Heinz Sauer and in the trio with Eva Kruse and Eric Schaefer. His musical art works uniqueness hasn’t been matched in over a decade. Tamar Halperin’s empire is the one of traditional music, which she enters with her cembalo playing works that range from Bach to Froberger, but she also inserts her own, unique, improvised sounds in collaboration with Michael Wollny.

Ray Lema is literally a world musician. Whether on the road in central Africa, jamming in the States or collaborating with musical colleagues such as Joachim Kühn or Stewart Copeland in Europe: Ray Lema has his very own, jazzy world music sound and celebrates it encouraged by a seemingly endless curiosity, always in different constellations. Together with his Saka Saka orchestra and old companions such as Etienne Mbappe and Francis Lassus, he rediscovers Caribbean-African rumba.

Almost two decades ago, Curtis Stigers was in the spotlight of the music scene: He had just released his debut, with enduring ballads such as „You are all that matters to me“. Although he didn’t retreat after this, he slowly but steadily transformed his image: when Curtis Stigers enters the stage now it is as a jazz singer and first class saxophone player, who not only chooses songs from his own extensive repertoire, but also interprets pop classics. Thus, he can be described as one of the greatest living musicians.

In twenty years from now, their music might be known as German new wave, or maybe as summer fairy tale pop. They are the frontwomen/men of a new kind of German-language pop music, which creates the soundtrack for life in the big city with their emotional female voices and catchy electronic rhythms. Klee was part of the movement from the beginning of the 2000s when they left her musical imprint, while Silvester represents the second generation, so to speak. Their sound is emotional and direct and will leave an indelible impression on the audience.

Izabo is the spacy re-incarnation of Jefferson Airplane. When singer Ram Shem Tov releases the sound from his mighty organ, big, loud psychedelic rock is coming from the speakers, serrating surf guitars dismantle the drums, and in the background screams a crazy alien choir. With this mix they have been the kings of Israel’s club scene for years. In the meantime, they managed to climb up the European charts, but their real power still lies in their live performances. Here and Now! Yeah!

Hubert von Goisern could possibly be regarded as one of the most versatile musicians of Austria; not only is he loved by folk, rock and world music addicts, but also by jazz afficianados. He manages to bridge the gap between the traditional Austrian sounds of Alpine rock with solid rock and folk music elements from all over the world. With his band The Alpinkatzen along with his unique mix, he has been successful since the 1980s. On his many journeys from Tanzania to Tibet he took inspiration and now shows off his skills at one of his many acclaimed gigs.

Singer, bishop, undertaker and father to 21 children: Solomon Burke is God’s man, who appreciates the pleasures in life. What would soul be without him? King Solomon - as he is lovingly referred to by those who have experienced his unique voice – even helped the Rolling Stone’s early career through the cover versions of Burke‘s songs they recorded. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of soul music and still captivates audiences across the world with his powerful, charismatic and soulful voice. Heavenly groovy!

Soha is the pop queen in France of the moment. The arty French have immediately recognised that this young woman released a latin and dub influenced pop record, as beautiful as a painting: a precise composition, layer by layer on top of each other and forever lasting. You can almost hear the long stony road Soha had to take to gain her experiences with reggae, chanson, jazz singing and cuban world music. Everything is incorporated and everything unified by Soha’s strong voice to a wonderful, quite unique art work.

Jazzanova may be described as the undisputable authority when it comes to latin-house remixes. For years this DJ-producer team has travelled all around the world to pimp songs by world stars such as Lenny Kravitz or Calexico as well as by other musicians such as 4hero, Masters at Work or Rainer Trüby. In 2002, with the release of “In Between“, they took a first step towards writing their own songs. This was followed by “Of all the things“, almost without any dj-ing, instead containing some wonderful deep soul, funk jazz and hip hop sounds.

Feindrehstar are the „local matadors“. The band was formed 10 years ago in Jena to render homage to live funk, jazz and hip hop. While they toured through half of Europe they have created a reputation for the ultimate live-session experience. Thanks to their adventurous jam sessions they have since included three electronic brothers: nujazz/broken beat, techno and house. Human jazzhop is what they call it, or even Organic Live Pogo. Anyway - a long night is promised with heaps of fun for you and your friends.

Since 2002, Freshlyground have been celebrating their lived multi-ethnicity with open happiness. Apparently they do it so well that they have been declared as the future of South African music in their home country. Freshlyground have collectively created their own, South African sound, incorporating elements from Kwela (a regional version of jazz), blues, jazz, soul and indie. This is wrapped in a beautiful pop robe and carried by Zolani Mahola’s playful-dramatic voice.

Arnottodrom are Arnaud Méthivier and Otto Lechner. Both are acclaimed artists with the accordion in their own respect. One is an art activist and traveller – from literature to theatre and avantgarde jazz - the other is a successful chanson musician. However, together Méthivier and Lechner indulge in a rather intimate and literally unprecedented dialogue: they invent new and exciting improvisations thereby stretching the boundaries of their instruments to the almost impossible.

Thomas D is one of Germany’s biggest lyrical hip hop stars. Together with his mates Smudo, Michi Beck and And. Ypsilon, he founded the Fantastischen Vier in the late 80s, who are up to the present day one of the most famous German hiphop bands. Since 1997, he has been on the road to use the power of rap and hip hop for deep lyrical solo projects. He is on a mission. He raps about life, about cognition and pain and the everlasting search. And this is all carried by one passion: hip hop. With his body and soul and weighty lyrics.

Nils Wülker is not just one of the most successful and acclaimed young German jazz trumpeters. He is also one of the most versatile since he is more than just a jazz interpreter. he is also a singer (with his trumpet), songwriter and composer of wonderful jazzy tunes. In the process, he incorporates everything that comes along his way, from indie to pop and classical music. But in the end his music always represents one thing: 100% Wülker.

Peter Kuhn is one of Germany’s longest standing musicians. He has characterised the music scene of several generations since the 1950s, with his pop songs and numerous big-band hits as well as his unique musical arrangements. He started out as a jazz pianist, and although now over 80, he is still travelling the globe with his Paul Kuhn Trio playing music that ranges from swing to bebop, accentuated by his very personal style.

These five gentlemen in their cool suits are Helsinki’s club sensation of the moment. Together with producer and composer Tuomas Kallio, they have set their aim at reviving the golden times of modern jazz of the 50s and 60s – which they have achieved successfully. But they don’t simply play nostalgic oldie records, no, The Five Corners Quintet represent refreshing postmodern hardbop. By sticking to their own high standards they proof that it is possible to create something new by looking back at the past.

Russkaja can probably be described as the opposite of ‘easy listening‘, but as nightmare of all Russian music societies: Russkaja is proper ska from Austria. It consists of a highly regarded group of musicians from the alpine country with diverse cultural backgrounds who play their own postmodern version of Russian folk music all over Europe. It will make you sweat and entertain your ears. There’s only one thing you can do: dance, dance, dance. Trash metal clashes with world jazz music and funk with Frank Zappa rock. This tells us: it’s going to get serious.