How many trains will be on the track is impossible to tell in Bonn stations these days. What is certain though is that for a couple more weeks at least there will be Jazz to enjoy, on three Bonn station platforms: Hauptbahnhof, Uni/Markt and Heussallee/Museumsmeile. Week two of JazzTube…
As with week one there was some seriously good music echoing down to the tube stations below them. I stand by my sleevenotes on the debut CD by Brazilian Winds who were at Hauptbahnhof. Most local Bonn music fans will know the names and music of Uwe Arenz on guitar and bassist Christian Kussmann. Both have added their energy, musical abilities and sheer love of playing to many a concert over the last few years. Add in Michael Heupel’s melancholic flute and the calming voice of Cristian Faig and you have the perfect de-stress sound – and who needs to de-stress on the tube in Bonn these days? That’s right – everyone!
Of course for many the most calming sound in music is that of a deep saxophone. If that’s you, then Cologne saxophonist Bernd Delbrügge at Universität/Markt was definitely your man. Together with Roger Schaffrath (guitar), Gero Gellert (Bass) und DirkFerdinand (drums) there was a steady beat going down that was enjoyed by many a visitor going down to catch a tram. They very often had a chance to enjoy more music than bargained for since the tram tact was erratic to say the least. I waited 24 minutes for a tram down the line to Hausallee/Museumsmeile on a line that should have a tram every ten minutes.
As a consequence I only managed to catch the tail-end of the Big Baller Trio’s set. The trio (Johannes Sauer guitar, Xaver Feest contrabass and Joshua Knauber drums) had a smaller audience, maybe because of the problem of hopping down the line by tram, but as usual there was an especially relaxed atmosphere at Hausallee/Museumsmeile. If free jazz where the musicians let the music take them where it will is your sound then they were certainly the place to be for you.
Three very enjoyable bands then once again. If you’re giving everyone a listen before voting for your favourite (a final winners concert beckons the top three voted lucky bands on 12 October) then it’s going to be a tough one to call.
Coming up next Friday (18 September):
- U Bonn Hbf/Thomas-Mann-Str. – 17:00 / 17:45 / 18:30
- U Universität/Markt – 17:15 / 18:00 / 18:45
MIKE CHURILOV QUARTET FEAT. REGGIE WASHINGTON
U Heussallee/Museumsmeile – 17:30 / 18:15 / 19:00