Young Jazz Ahead Double Concert: Lorant Aktan Trio feat. Kai Ringler | PSQ - Paul Scheugenpflug Quartet

Lorant Aktan Trio feat. Kai Ringler comes from Hamburg University of Music. Pianist Lorant Aktan's original compositions blend odd meters, melodic motifs from Kurdish and Eastern European folklore, and elements of Latin and contemporary jazz. Trained between classical piano tradition and modern jazz, Aktan has developed a distinctive style bridging contemporary improvisation, fusion, and compositional clarity. Key influences include pianist Aaron Parks, with whom he studied; he also received a scholarship for the Berklee Summer Program.

In Minden, the trio performs with vocalist Kai Ringler - in this lineup, the group won the concert prize at "Bundesbegegnung Jugend jazzt" in May 2026 in Halle/Saale, awarded for the first time by Jazz Club Minden and presented by a jury of the German Music Council.

Lineup: Lorant Aktan - piano | Kai Ringler - vocals | Philip Siemen - bass | Jakob Doerffer - drums

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PSQ - Paul Scheugenpflug Quartet

Bandleader and saxophonist Paul Scheugenpflug balances catchy melodies with energetic jazz improvisation in his compositions, drawing on influences from fusion, hip-hop, and pop. In spring 2026, he released his debut album "WHO I AM" and presented it on a nationwide release tour in March 2026.

Scheugenpflug has been honored with numerous awards including the "Newcomer Jazzpreis des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz" 2024, Biberacher Jazzpreis 2024, Jazzconnects Newcomer Preis 2026, Jazz-bundesigend Preis Dörken-Stiftung 2025, and Frankfurter Jazzstipendium 2023 (with the jazz collective "FÄZZ").

Lineup: Paul Scheugenpflug - saxophone/flute | Lion Lauer - keyboards | Moritz Neukam - bass | Joshua Knauber - drums