Schumann meets Jazz-Childhood Scenes
Joerg Kaufmann (Saxophone, Flutes) – Mathias Haus (Vibraphone) – Conrad Noll (Bass, Cello)
An extraordinary jazz trio approaches the romantic sound world of Robert Schumann in their own way. With the musicians Jörg Kaufmann (Saxophone, Flutes), Mathias Haus (Vibraphone), and Conrad Noll (Double Bass, Cello), Schumann's Kinderszenen op. 15 will be newly interpreted in a chamber music setting – inspired by contemporary jazz, yet deeply rooted in Schumann’s original language. The musical approach is not a crossover in the usual sense; rather, an independent sound world arises, in which the poetry of romantic character pieces for piano meets elements from jazz. In doing so, the lyrical essence of the Kinderszenen is preserved but is simultaneously illuminated in a new light through altered harmonic colors, new rhythmic perspectives, or free formal design. The trio unites three musicians with extensive experience at the interface of classical music, free improvisation, and modern jazz. The instrumentation creates a transparent, chamber music aesthetic that respectfully reflects the depth of the original while remaining open to sonic discoveries.
Joerg Kaufmann (Saxophone, Flutes)
Joerg Kaufmann studied music education and German studies in Saarbrücken as well as jazz saxophone and flute at the Hochschule für Musik Köln. Since then, he has been heard in numerous tours and productions with international jazz greats, including Alphonse Mouzon, Peter Herbolzheimer, Sammy Nestico, and Bobby Shew. From 2000 to 2008, he was a permanent member of the SWR Big Band; since 2003, he has regularly collaborated with the organist Barbara Dennerlein. In addition to many productions as a sideman, Kaufmann has released five CDs under his own name. For over twenty years, he taught at universities and colleges in Arnhem, Cologne, and Mainz; he also worked as a music teacher at a secondary school for thirteen years. Today, he works as a freelancer in various band projects and performed in 2023, among others, with the SWR Big Band, Chris Potter, and Melissa Aldana in New York.
Mathias Haus (Vibraphone)
Mathias Haus is among the most versatile jazz vibraphonists of his generation. Coming from piano and drums, he found his way to the vibraphone early on: At just 16, he studied classical percussion in Düsseldorf, later jazz vibraphone with Gary Burton in Boston and composition with Hal Crook, John La Porta, and Herb Pomeroy. The award-winning musician is featured on more than 30 CDs as a leader or guest musician. He has worked, among others, with Steve Swallow, Carla Bley, Rainer Brüninghaus, Wolfgang Engstfeld, and the radio big bands HR, NDR, SWR, and WDR. In 2023, his composition "All My Life" was performed by the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra at the Tonhalle Düsseldorf.
Conrad Noll (Double Bass, Cello)
Conrad Noll is a double bassist and cellist living in Cologne. After early classical cello lessons, he turned to double bass at the age of 16 and studied from 2011 at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, among others with Sebastian Gramss, Dietmar Fuhr, and Dieter Manderscheid. Later, he expanded his profile with a bachelor's degree in jazz cello. As a bandleader, he can be heard with his formation "My Little Cello"; as a sideman, he works with both instruments in various settings between traditional jazz and free improvisation.
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