NICA live: Volkmann/ Matsuno/ Potratz

Lavin in Switzerland: a grey-green Alpine idyll, rushed by water and surrounded by mountain tops. The first concert by Luise Volkmann, Keisuke Matsuno and Oliver Potratz took place in front of this natural setting. The saxophonist and composer Volkmann is taking her "NICA live" date in the summer as an opportunity to invite the two musicians to Cologne to continue their collaboration. The three musicians are united by their passion for finding a balance between poetic melodies and avant-garde sounds. An atmospheric interplay of free improvisation and lyrical themes by all participants on double bass, saxophone and guitar is to be expected.

Luise Volkmann is supported by NICA artist development in her individual artistic development since 2022. She recently presented her 13-piece ensemble été large, which will soon be ten years old, with a new programme as part of "NICA live". Always alert, to the point and full of forward-moving energy and enthusiasm, Volkmann realises her multifaceted musical projects and knows how to inspire with depth of content.

"What inspires you?" guitarist Keisuke Matsuno asks visitors of his website and potential listeners after a short introduction. His insatiable curiosity about his instrument and the little things in life lead him to constantly new sounds, noises and (musical) encounters. Weimar, New York and Berlin are among Matsuno's life and creative stations and projects from all these times characterise his artistic present.

With the David Friedman Generation Trio or with Shake Stew: Some of you may have already heard double bassist Oliver Potratz in Cologne last year. This is hardly surprising: Potratz, who was recently described in the Süddeutsche Zeitung as "perhaps the most versatile German jazz bassist", is a versatile instrumentalist, composer and producer who has received numerous awards.