Cologne Jazzweek: Aki Takase & Han Bennink

Cologne Jazzweek goes into the third round
12-18 August 2023

The journey continues. Also in 2023 unique artists:inside of the Cologne, German and international jazz scene will be experienced on the many stages throughout the city. Whether in the Stadtgarten, LOFT, King Georg, Open Air, the Ehrenfeld-Clubs or our new venues in the Filmhaus, the Klaus von Bismarck Sendesaal in the WDR or the Philharmonie - new encounters will arise and new stories will be written. Be part of the festival summer 2023 and dive into the wonderful world of improvised music!

The duo is a preferred instrumentation for the Berlin-based Japanese pianist Aki Takase. Already during her first time in Europe in the 1980s, she caused a sensation together with the Portuguese vocalist Maria João. Later, for example, a Louis Sclavis from France or a David Murray from the USA were partners for the musical dialogue, but also Silke Eberhard (saxophone) or Rudi Mahall (clarinet) from Berlin were happy to engage in an exchange with the pianist, as was her husband, the equally piano-playing Alexander von Schlippenach. Takase's encounter with Dutch drummer Han Bennink, with whom she recorded the duo album with the tongue-in-cheek name "Two For Two" in 2011, was of a special kind. Winking because, of course, that also alludes to the Broadway song "Tea For Two," which is then quietly echoed in the album's opening title track. Takase and Bennink on the one hand virtually revel in the old pieces from the "Great American Songbook", which they interpret equally swinging as the old school as with the proverbial mischievousness in the neck. On the other hand, the "special goodness" of the collaboration becomes apparent when they enter a terrain in which they probably know best: that of freely improvised music committed to the moment.

The complete program of all participating venues can be found on the Cologne Jazzweek website.