PRESS RELEASE
Miroslav Hloucal Quartet and Jonas Herpichböhms Ohropack Are Winners of the JazzPrix 2012
On March 10, the finale of the third bilateral jazz competition for up and coming musicians, JazzPrix, took place in Straubing’s Mannschaftscasino. Playing in front of great crowd, all of the finalists gave strong performances with Miroslav Hloucal Quartet and Jonas Herpichböhms Ohropack claiming the top two spots at JazzPrix 2012.
Straubing/Munich, March 2012 – A high level of musical talent and an obvious passion for performing were on display with the finalists of JazzPrix 2012 on March 10 at Straubing’s Mannschaftscasino. In the end, the group from Mannheim, Jonas Herpichböhms Ohropack, and the Miroslav Hloucal Quartet from the Czech Republic came out ahead of the pack.
As in past years, the winning band, Miroslav Hloucal Quartet, received prize money of € 10,000, and the second place finishers, Jonas Herpichböhms Ohropack, received € 3,000 – a substantial sum for starting a musical career. Heinz Huber, co-initiator of the bilateral competition: “The quality of all of the participating bands impressed me once again. Those that have had the pleasure of hearing these groups know that jazz has a solid future.” A high level of musical expertise could also be found off the stage for the third finale of the competition. The panel of judges this year was comprised of Czech jazz star Rudy Linka (John Abercrombie & Jim Hall among others), founder of the jazz label Artia Records, Otakar Svoboda, and ex-Reamonn guitarist, producer and label boss Uwe Bossert. An expert trio that took their task seriously, choosing the Miroslav Hloucal Quartet and Jonas Herpichböhms Ohropack from the six bands – all of which were thoroughly enjoyed by the enthusiastic audience. Ralph Huber, of Jazz an der Donau e.V. and co-initiator: “We had more applications than ever this year, along with a super qualified panel of judges and incredibly talented bands. The JazzPrix 2012 was a complete success at every level.”
Correspondingly good was the atmosphere among the roughly 200 guests at Straubing’s Mannschaftscasino, which hosted the JazzPrix finale for the first time this year.
About Miroslav Hloucal Quartet:
Miroslav Hloucal has been among the Czech Republic’s best trumpet players for years. With his lyrical, technically-sound style of play, he already has garnered plenty of attention with his work in groups such as Lanugo, Infinite Quartet, Punkte and Bucinatores. With the Miroslav Hloucal Quartet, he now leads his own band which is committed to fusion, funk and contemporary jazz.
About Jonas Herpichböhms Ohropack:
Jonas Herpichböhm (drums), Niko Seibold (alto saxophone), Janis Hug (trumpet), Konrad Blasberg (double bass) and Konrad Hinsken (piano) met each other at the Music Academy in Mannheim, while Jonas’ brother Tilman rounds out the sextet. The band’s modern jazz sound weaves in classic, bebop and pop music undertones
JazzPrix 2012 – The Finalists
Pantoum
Ebene 0
Jonas Herpichböhms Ohropack
Tom Listl Trio
Trioskop
Miroslav Hloucal Quartet (Winner of the Czech preliminary round)
About JazzPrix
“JazzPrix” is based on the initiative of the founder of the renowned Czech Jazz festival “Bohemia JazzFest”. Together with the organizers of the Jazz an der Donau festival, their preferred partner, they created a bilateral platform. Ralph Huber, Vice Chairman of Jazz an der Donau e.V.: “With this competition, we are building a cultural bridge to one of our neighboring countries. We are confident that this will contribute, at least in some small way, to the exchange between our two countries.” With “JazzPrix”, the organizers of Jazz an der Donau continue a long tradition of supporting up and coming musicians. In 1999, the festival organizers initiated the “New Generation” competition for young artists. Along with the chance to play in front of a large audience and the corresponding press coverage, it also offers generous prizes. The winning ensemble enjoys prize money of € 10,000 while the winners of second place can console themselves with a cool € 3,000.
Bringing home a win: The Miroslav Hloucal Quartet with the panel of judges in the background
Press information, July 14, 2009:
Exclusive workshop with Klaus Doldinger’s Passport
Within the framework of the bilateral JazzPrix Newcomer Contest, Klaus Doldinger is holding an exclusive band workshop. Topics include, among other things, arrangement, ensemble playing and dynamics – demonstrated and discussed during the sound check at the Jazz an der Donau conzert on* July 17, 2009.*
Straubing/Munich, July 2009
The organizers of the Jazz an der Donau-Festival have launched a new initiative: the German/Czech JazzPrix Music Newcomer Contest. With concerts and special activities at the end of October, this new bilateral talent show is set to generate important impulses on the jazz scene.
Prior to the official start, prominent musicians and giants of their genre have already signaled their commitment. These include, among others, Klaus Doldinger. Together with his formation, Passport, the jazz musician will provide up-and-coming musicians with a vivid demonstration concerning fundamental band questions: for example, how does a groove come about, how do I arrange a song or how can I make use of dynamics in order to achieve a homogenous band sound? The workshop is set to take place during the sound check of Klaus Doldinger’s Passport on Friday, July 17 at 3.30 pm (in the Jazz an der Donau tent at Am Hagen, in Straubing). In order to make the most of the workshop under live circumstances, the number of participants is limited.
Ralph Huber from Jazz an der Donau and initiator of the new effort to promote new talent explains: “This is a completely unique workshop. When does one ever get the chance to watch a real international star up-close and live during rehearsals and while arranging?” For Huber, Klaus Doldinger’s participation is not only a compliment to the Jazz an der Donau Festival, but also recognition of the new JazzPrix newcomer promotion: “This contest represents our attempt to build a cultural bridge to our neighboring country. By so doing, we are sure that we have struck the right note – and are also making a small contribution to exchange efforts between both countries.”
Terms and conditions for the exclusive workshop with Klaus Doldinger’s Passport
Musicians up to 30 years of age (all instruments)
Short written application to:
Jazz an der Donau: jazzanderdonau@snapshot-redaktionsbuero.de
Location: Straubing, Am Hagen, Jazz an der Donau tent
On: July 17, 2007
Start: 3.30 pm
About JazzPrix: “JazzPrix” is a jointly-sponsored contest for newcomers presented by the organizers of Jazz an der Donau and the Czech Bohemia JazzFest.
With immediate effect, all musicians and bands of the entire spectrum of jazz styles with a maximum average age of 25 and without a record contract are called upon to submit their application and information. It pays to do so as the contest, which is supported by EUREGIO, offers highly attractive perspectives and opportunities: The best ten formations picked by a jury (five Czech and five German acts each) will play half in Staubing and half in Budweis.
In addition to international media coverage, the organizers are also offering generous prizes for the winning formations: The winning ensemble will receive, for example, a prize of 10,000 euros, sponsored by Jazz an der Donau; the second place ensemble, sponsored by Bohemia JazzFest, can look forward to over 3,000 euros.
Applications with demo CD, biography and photo material to:
Jazz an der Donau e.V. JazzPrix
Bahnhofstrasse 9
94315 Straubin
info@jazzanderdonau.de
snapshot, July 14, 2009
Holds an exclusive workshop on July 17 for young musicians:
Klaus Doldinger
Further information for the press:
snapshot Redaktionsbüro Gunther Matejka
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D-81477 München
Telefon: 089/75 50 56 80
Fax: 089/75 50 56 829
www.snapshot-redaktionsbuero.de
E-Mail: presse@snapshot-redaktionsbuero.de oder
info@jazzanderdonau.de
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