Jazz Days in Wiehl

Barbara Dennerlein performed recently at the "Jazz Days" in Wiehl. For the head of the organisation team the sold-out concert was the festival's highlight: "It is fascinating what she does with the pipe organ".

The town's website reviews the festival. "The Jazz Days ended with the Queen of the pipe organs, Barbara Dennerlein. The finale could not have been chosen better because two Queens met as the pipe organ is often called the Queen of instruments.

Barbara Dennerlein's approach to the huge instrument was respectful, passionate and full of joy to play. "Every chuch organ is an individual", she explained. "One has to explore the instrument and the acoustics and has to improvise." A natural challenge for a jazz musician.

She disclosed vehemence and sensitivity virtuous technique and fantasy, an unmistakable style and sense for dynamics. She demonstrated how quiet the organ can be played and how the instrument breathes. "Organ play is both arduous and joyful" she said "it has always to do with movement and in case of church organs with spirituality, too". Dennerlein showed the augustness of this instrument but always flavoured with the ingredients of jazz, even in the interplaced Bach's Toccata in d minor.

Two cameras captured close views of the artist's playing which was transmitted to a large screen in the nave. The audience watched magnetised how the organist played on the pedals and keys with ease causing phenomenal music. The visitors were blushed about the wide range of sounds. It was an enchanting and highlighting finale of the jazz days with two true Queens - and the concert ended with standing ovations."

A photo series by Christian Melzer and a short concert video clip have been released in the Internet.
http://www.wiehl.de/aktuelles/neuigkeiten/bilderserien/3032-die-kroenung-der-wiehler-jazztage-2012.html


Tropical rhythms

Barbara Dennerlein and drummer Marcel Gustke performed at the 30th anniversary festival "Jazz at the castle ruin" on invitation of the Kulturkreis Wachtendonk. The audience, enchanted by Swing, Bebop, Blues, Soul, Latin and Funk, marvelled at the brilliant virtuosity of the Munich-based organist.

The "Rheinische Post" news reported: "Dennerlein narrated a short introducing story to each of her compositions with charming cordiality and authenticity. She redefined the 50 years old Hammond B3 with extraordinary sound scapes in contemporary actual jazz music. She played the program opener "Go for it" with closed eyes and showcased her lively foot pedal work. "The bass pedals are absolutely essential for my way to play the Hammond. I can develop special rhythmical structures that can barely be empathized from a bass player. The pedals and the two manuals form a kind of rhythmical Tryptichon" she explains.

South American rhythms and tropical sounds led the audience into sun flooded world of sounds. The organist twirled over the keys and one believed to hear a whole orchestra: piano, vibraphone, double bass, church organ. Dennerlein's diversity and joy of expression  both as composer and performer seemed borderless."

The website of the Kulturkreises Wachtendonk provides a concert photo:

http://www.kulturkreis-wachtendonk.de/cms/wp-content/gallery/foto_mix_01/dennerlein.jpg