Ella & Louis Jazz Club im Holzhausenschlösschen - Joo Kraus - "Alchemy" & 60 Jahre

Joo Kraus (trumpet, vocals)
Ralf Schmid (piano)
Veit Hübner (double bass)
Torsten Krill (drums)

Joo Kraus live - and it's immediately clear what this is about: high-energy jazz, grooving sounds and a genuine musical (and human) openness. The internationally acclaimed trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist and composer has been one of the defining voices of European jazz for many years. Winner of the Echo Jazz award and twice nominated for a Grammy, known for his genre-crossing projects, he moves effortlessly between jazz, funk, pop and electronic soundscapes.

For his 60th birthday, Joo Kraus is deliberately looking forward: Alchemy stands for transformation, openness and the joy of musical risk-taking. The pieces emerge from the moment, carried by a tight-knit ensemble that has shared the stage for decades - a musical rapport that works intuitively and draws its special energy from exactly that.

The music of Alchemy is organic, direct and full of dynamic range. By turns light and expansive, then angular and self-deprecating, it develops a sound that crosses stylistic boundaries with ease while maintaining a clear personal signature. Grooving passages meet lyrical moments, complex structures meet immediate accessibility. Live, Alchemy becomes what it is at its core: a musical dialogue in the here and now. Interaction, spontaneity and closeness to the audience are central - every concert unfolds differently and stays one of a kind.

Photo: Chris Marquart