It is thanks to an extraordinary idea from the guitar legend Ali Claudi, who passed away unexpectedly in October 2023, that the Paul Gerhardt House holds a special place at the IDO Festival: “Swing, blues, Latin, jazz, funk and ballads on the pipe organ? ‘Can’t be done’ – not a chance!”
That, in essence, was Ali Claudi’s reply twelve years ago to a similar question from the organising team.
The experimental pianist Hans-Günther Adam, known for his unconventional combination of pedal bass and piano, and the technically highly skilled and sensitive drummer Christian Schröder have kept Ali Claudi’s legacy alive ever since and also present a new repertoire, including their own compositions.
Finding a guitarist who could even come close to doing justice to Ali Claudi’s artistry and versatility was a hopeless task. They therefore opted for a virtuoso soloist on trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn: Roland Kämmerling from Cologne has been a new addition to the trio since 2024. From down-to-earth jazz tradition to bold solo excursions, he masters the entire spectrum of brass performance.
Another factor behind the particular success of these concerts is the concept of the cosy ‘living-room atmosphere’ at the Paul-Gerhardt-Haus, which creates a welcoming sense of intimacy.
Featuring Roland Kämmerling, Hans-Günther Adam and Christian Schröder. (Source: IDO Festival)
