Aspects: Jazz in the Chamber Music Hall

Olga Reznichenko began her training as a classical pianist at the age of eight, but soon discovered her passion for jazz. The young virtuoso student of Richie Beirach and Michael Wollny is now regarded as one of the most interesting figures on the current jazz scene and is making a name for herself above all with her trio. Here she combines complex harmonic and rhythmic structures with a simpler and minimalist texture and easily accessible melodies. As a soloist, she also allows her pieces to emerge from improvisation and gives space to her pure, intuitive joy of playing.

The concert will be recorded by Deutschlandfunk.

Anke Helfrich is one of the most outstanding jazz musicians in Europe. Her list of awards and the prominent names she has played with speak for themselves. She has long since developed her own style, which is characterised by musicality, sensuality of sound, swinging virtuosity and the ability to listen. She fuses music and attitude into highly interesting projects, as in her current programme ‘WE'LL RISE’. This is about visualising inspiring women and forgotten pioneers. Anke Helfrich has been playing with her excellent trio for years. Bassist Dietmar Fuhr has played with countless jazz stars at home and abroad, has his own quartet and is a lecturer at several universities. Drummer Jens Düppe is also in great demand on the scene and tours with international formations.

The Pablo Held Trio has been shaping the European jazz scene for two decades. The trio is known for its intuitive interaction and fearless joy of playing. Their concerts are full of surprises, always in the field of tension between composition and improvisation. Audiences, the specialised press and jazz greats are equally fascinated. In 2026, the trio will celebrate its 20th anniversary with several tours, inviting special guests to play with them. In our concert, it is the wonderful American saxophonist Chris Potter. With his technical brilliance, harmonic sophistication and relentless pursuit of innovation, Potter has earned a reputation as one of the most influential voices in contemporary jazz. His remarkable career spans decades, and his contributions to the art form inspire musicians and listeners alike.

Some projects are the subject of lengthy artistic deliberations that lead to highly harmonised works. For example, the CD 'Surprise!' which brought French trumpeter Airelle Besson together with two outstanding figures from the young jazz scene on the other side of the Rhine, pianist Sebastian Sternal and drummer Jonas Burgwinkel, was the official birth of a trio that was as unexpected as it was seductive. The special alchemy between the three musicians is masterfully brought out on this first CD. Airelle on trumpet in her own personal style, precise, economical, pure, constantly focussed on the purity of the vocals; Sebastian on piano and Fender Rhodes, putting his fluid movements and the discreet virtuosity of his playing at the service of the overall sound, with a sense of architecture and spatialisation of remarkable clarity and precision; and Jonas on drums, breathing both sustain and breath into the trio, with his art of groove and dotting of rare delicacy.