Leipzig Jazz Days

Contemporary jazz from South Africa was the theme of this year's Leipzig Jazz Days. Because very few Germans are familiar with South African jazz, the organizers hoped that the musicians would offer audiences a more multi-facetted view of the South African jazz scene and its integration in the country's cultural landscape. The festival invited outstanding ensembles from South Africa, which performed in Germany for the very first time, and two European-South African groups. All of the participating musicians were selected on the basis of having their own unique musical language. One of the highlights was a solo concert by the pianist Abdullah Ibrahim who is a representative of integration for many South Africans. The musical programme was accompanied by a documentary film series and a cultural-political round table on the situation of jazz and the process of democratization in South Africa.

Artistic director: Dr. Bert Noglik
Participating artists: Abdullah Ibrahim (ZA), Dollar Brand (ZA), Allen Webster (ZA), Alan Skidmore}s Ubizo (GB/ZA), McCoy Mrubata, Paul Hammer Band "Good News from Africa" (ZA), Karl Seglem (N), Connection (NL/ZA) and others

Venues and schedule:
Schauspielhaus Leipzig, Moritzbastei Leipzig, naTo Leipzig, Reformed Church of Leipzig; 3 - 6 October 2007