Expert talk and concert: "A Tribute to Charlie Parker and Michael Brecker” – Porgy & Bess & JAM Music Lab present Robert Unterköfler & Alex Hahn

We thank Östig - Österreichische Interpretengesellschaft and the cultural association "Music in Progress" for their support in realizing this event.

With Robert Unterköflers Sextet 'A Tribute to Charlie Parker' live from Austria and Alex Hahns Quartet feat. Peter Erskine streamed from the US, we define new ways in combining reality and virtuality.

The opening of the event is the award ceremony for this year's Ö1 Jazz Scholarship for studying at JAM MUSIC LAB University by Ö1 Jazz Head Andreas Felber and JAM Director Marcus Ratka.

In keeping with its mission to examine the work and influence of artists who defined the sound of modern jazz, JAM MUSIC LAB is proud to recognize two of our greatest saxophonists – Michael Brecker and Charlie Yardbird Parker.

Join us on 6 July as we commemorate these greats with performances streamed direct to you:

The Robert Unterköfler Sextet, A Tribute to Charlie Parker, presented live from the stage of Porgy & Bess, a participating supporter of this special event;

and… The Alex Hahn Quartet, "Honoring Michael Brecker" is a virtual production brought to you from the States.

Robert and his band are students and alumni of JAM and/or MUK. Alex is the winner of the first Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition, held in August 2019.

The year 2020 commemorates the 100th birthday of Bird, a cornerstone figure in the development of bebop. His contributions are seen as revolutionary, with harmonic and rhythmic inventions that became the lingua franca of jazz.

At the same time JAM MUSIC LAB joins hands with JAZZ FEST WIEN as they welcome to Vienna the next Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition, scheduled for July 2021. Brecker, perhaps the most influential saxophonist of the post-John Coltrane era, was a model of the cross-pollinating musician who borrowed from different genres then created a singular voice.

The careers of both Brecker and Bird demonstrate the challenges and responsibilities facing the creative artist.

Our streaming event will feature a panel discussion, moderated by JAM’s Jeff Levenson, examining the roles and influences of these giants.

This discussion is aimed primarily at music students and people interested in music in the audience and offers them the opportunity to ask questions on this topic.

Please find more information for joining the concert and discussion livestreaming at http://www.porgy.at/events/10009/.

Special thanks to the cultural association “Music in Progress“ for supporting and realizing this event.

Performing artists:

Robert Unterköfler Sextet (live)
Robert Unterköfler: tenor saxophone
Daniel Holzleitner: trombone
David Dornig: guitar
Jakob Stain: piano
Robin Gadermaier: bass
Valentin Duit: drums

Alex Hahn Quartet (stream)
Alex Hahn: alto saxophone
John Beasley: piano
Ben Williams: bass
Peter Erskine: drums

Sponsored by ÖSTIG