As JazzNights were launched they had a motto. Quite clearly: the biggest names in jazz in Germany's loveliest halls!
And the stars that came in this relatively short time: the men included Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Bill Frisell and Nils Landgren. Then the women: Diana Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves!
JazzNights were crowned by two keynotes: vision and passion. The vision was Michel Petrucciani's - that wonderful pianist to whom the first JazzNight should have belonged, but regrettably he was destined not to live to see it. "Jazz needs to be freed from the smoky atmosphere of clubs, it belongs in the concert halls where classical music is performed". Because jazz, and Michel Petrucciani never tired of saying it, jazz is the classical music of the 20th century.
Passion is the attribute of Karsten Jahnke. The Hamburg concert promoter has been in the business for more than 40 years, he brings on stage all the big names of pop and rock “ and he loves jazz, both classic as well as really modern. JazzNights turned a dream into reality. Representatives of all genres repeatedly toured through Germany.
A concert series of this scope and quality cannot be realized without the support of strong partners. From the 2003/4 season until the 2008/9 season, the Deutsche Börse AG supported the series financially, thus guaranteeing its continued existence. Thanks to the generous financial support the city of Eschborn once again decided on giving in 2009, eminent artists such as Herbie Hancock or Pat Metheny will continue to be able to give concerts in Frankfurt.
Further information under www.jazznights.de