22nd International Jazz Workshop Saarwellingen

22nd International Jazz Workshop Saarwellingen (July 25-30, 2026) Campus Nobel Workshop Hall, Alfred-Nobel-Allee, 66793 Saarwellingen The 22nd International Jazz Workshop presents a week of top-class jazz at the highest level from July 25–30, 2026, in Saarwellingen. During the day, musicians have the opportunity to be inspired and further trained in workshops and masterclasses by internationally renowned jazz greats such as Gilad Atzmon, Amos Hoffman, Marta Capponi, Yaron Stavi, Enzo Zirilli, and many more. In the evening, the former dynamite workshop hall at Campus Nobel transforms into a special concert venue, offering musical highlights in a unique atmosphere. In the lakeside beer garden, guests can enjoy a diverse culinary offering at every concert evening, featuring selected wines from Pinard de Picard, freshly tapped beer, and Asian dishes—including vegan and vegetarian options. Admission to the outdoor area of the campus begins at 6:00 p.m., inviting visitors to start the evening relaxed with food and drinks. Look forward to a week full of high-caliber jazz music and special festival moments. Ticket info: Tickets available online at www.ticket-regional.de. Single ticket for the instructor concerts €20 / reduced €15 (reduction applies to students/unemployed/recipients of social benefits) Festival pass €60 / reduced €45 (reduction applies to students/unemployed/recipients of social benefits) Children and young people up to 15 years old enter free! More info: www.international.jazzwerkstatt.de Concert program: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. (campus admission from 6 p.m., hall entry after soundcheck) Campus Nobel Workshop Hall, Alfred-Nobel-Allee, 66793 Saarwellingen Opening Concert: “All in!” The annually eagerly awaited opening concert of the International Jazz Workshop promises an evening full of captivating sounds, virtuosic performances, and a unique fusion of various styles. As every year, the opening concert is performed by all the workshop instructors in various combos. The lineup includes Gilad Atzmon & Johannes Müller (saxophones, clarinet), Tony Lakatos (saxophone), Carlo Nardozza (trumpet), Randolph Matthews (vocals), Claus Krisch & John Turville (piano), Nicolas Meier & Amos Hoffman (guitar), Ulrich Glasmann & Yaron Stavi (bass), Jim Hart (drums, vibraphone), and Enzo Zirilli (drums). Monday, July 27, 2026, 7:30 p.m. (campus admission from 6 p.m., hall entry after soundcheck) Campus Nobel Workshop Hall, Alfred-Nobel-Allee, 66793 Saarwellingen The French Connection - The Jazz of Paris (directed by Gilad Atzmon) Gilad Atzmon & Johannes Müller (saxophone), Tali Atzmon & Marta Capponi (vocals), Jim Hart (drums, vibraphone), Amos Hoffman & Nicolas Meier (guitar), Carlo Nardozza (trumpet), Yaron Stavi & Ulrich Glaszmann (bass), Thilo Wagner (piano), Enzo Zirilli (drums) An evening full of Parisian elegance, dedicated to the timeless fascination of French jazz: from the heartfelt swing of the “Manouche” style of Django Reinhardt to the romantic-melodic sound world of Michel Legrand—with musical homages to Édith Piaf, Jacques Brel, and other icons of France. Gilad Atzmon is the artistic director of the festival and known for his playful engagement with musical traditions and styles. His approach blends cultural identities such as tango, klezmer, as well as music from the Arab world, the Balkans, Sinti and Roma traditions, and Ladino culture. His music has been described as a mix of quotations from jazz standards and torch songs, influences from the Mediterranean and Middle East, Parisian cabaret, New Orleans swing, and modern bebop—with a spectrum ranging from Eastern European folk music to hard bop, funk, and French accordion sounds. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m. (campus admission from 6 p.m., hall entry after soundcheck) Campus Nobel Workshop Hall, Alfred-Nobel-Allee, 66793 Saarwellingen The Better Part of America - A Latin Music Party (directed by John Turville and Nicolas Meier) Marta Capponi & Randolph Matthews (vocals), Ulrich Glaszmann (bass), Tony Lakatos (saxophone), Jim Hart (drums & vibraphone), Nicolas Meier (guitar), Johannes Müller (saxophone), Carlo Nardozza (trumpet), John Turville (piano) Contemporary music is hardly imaginable without the profound influence of Latin America. Look forward to an evening full of fiery rhythms, musical sophistication, and romantic elegance—from Antônio Carlos Jobim to Tito Puente, with a touch of Astor Piazzolla. John Turville and Nicolas Meier have been dedicated to this musical spectrum for years. Turville has recorded more than thirty albums with various artists in jazz, tango, and classical music fields. He was commissioned to compose a new work for contemporary tango dancer Richard Manuel and his tango quintet. Nicolas Meier is undoubtedly one of the most versatile, ambitious, and brilliant rising guitarists of today. His sound is rooted in his fondness for jazz on the acoustic guitar—especially his Godin guitar with nylon strings. This sound is excellent for flamenco and oriental music, which he combines with further influences into a unique, “multilingual” style. Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 7:30 p.m. (campus admission from 6 p.m., hall entry after soundcheck) Campus Nobel Workshop Hall, Alfred-Nobel-Allee, 66793 Saarwellingen Couscous Party - The Music of the Mediterranean (directed by Amos Hoffman) Gilad Atzmon & Tony Lakatos (saxophone), Tali Atzmon, Karen Edwards & Randolph Matthews (vocals), Amos Hoffman (guitar), Yaron Stavi (bass), John Turville & Thilo Wagner (piano), Enzo Zirilli (drums) The focus of this evening is the hypnotic fusion of music from the Levant region with Afro-American sound worlds. The pulsating rhythms of the Maghreb and the Aegean, microtonal tonal language, oud and clarinet textures, as well as cross-cultural musical storytelling, characterize the program. A new voice will be heard this evening: the extraordinary singer and pianist Karen Edwards. She is a gem of the music scene and has been nominated several times for the "Grammy Award for Jazz Performance." Edwards has worked with stars like Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Tony Bennett during her long career, toured Europe and America, was for years the star of a “Weekly Show in Atlanta,” composed film music, and acted as an actress. Karen Edwards is considered one of the most interesting American singers of the younger generation; her concerts are not only fantastic musical adventures but also deliver outstanding shows. Amos Hoffman, the leading musician of the evening, is an internationally recognized Israeli jazz guitarist and oud player celebrated as a pioneer in blending Middle Eastern rhythms and melodic themes with modern jazz. His latest album, “MINOR OPERATION,” is influenced by guitar playing ranging from Charlie Christian to the oud artistry of the legendary Egyptian composer and singer Mohamed Abdel Wahab. Thursday, July 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. (campus admission from 6 p.m., hall entry after soundcheck) Campus Nobel Workshop Hall, Alfred-Nobel-Allee, 66793 Saarwellingen Closing Concert of the Workshop Ensembles For almost a week, the workshop participants have been taught by their instructors. On this evening, they present the results they have worked on in their combos. Each combo is supervised by two instructors, and the variety of musical outcomes is remarkable each year. The combos form the heart of the International Jazz Workshop: here instructors and participants meet, creating musical exchange on an equal footing, and here the entire spectrum of the collaborative work is showcased. The musicians’ joy of playing immediately transfers to the audience. Free admission