NICA x CJW: Felix Hauptmann - YARDS & EMPATHY

As part of NICA x CJW, Felix Hauptmann presents the world premiere of YARDS & EMPATHY - made possible by the annual collaboration between Cologne Jazzweek and NICA artist development, pianist Felix Hauptmann has been commissioned to compose an outstanding, unique project like Fabian Dudek (an empty room, then smiling) and Theresia Philipp (Seeds of Sweat) before him. With his unmistakable musical signature, the NICA artist of Generation 2024 places his program in an expanded, international context.

With a special sensitivity for textures and rhythm, Hauptmann brings together the Latvian flautist Ketija Ringa Karahona, the Canadian trumpeter Lina Allemano, the bassist Roger Kintopf and the Cuban drummer Francisco Mela for his program YARDS & EMPATHY. In search of ever new stimuli and possibilities for playing together, the musicians are constantly researching collective musical processes. In a formation selected for this program, Hauptmann's compositions unfold a special depth that arises from a sensitive juxtaposition of regulation and free space. The individual voices of his players interweave to form dense, organic structures in which precisely set forms and free interpretation meet. This quintet creates music that is just as powerful in its calm as it is in its eruptive moments.

The world premiere of YARDS & EMPATHY promises to be a special moment during this year's Cologne Jazzweek: An insight into an artistic perspective that centers the free dialogue between the musicians while skillfully blurring the boundaries between composition and improvisation.