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Top-class club jazz: Manfred Becker inspires in Giessen!
Manfred Becker performed at the Kassel City Theater on June 22nd, 2025. He presented an innovative jazz concert from the “Bright & Blue Notes” series.
Top-class club jazz: Manfred Becker inspires in Giessen!
On June 20, 2025, the Kleines Haus of the Gießen City Theater will once again be the venue for a special musical event. Under the proven direction of Roman Kurtz, the “Bright & Blue Notes” series presents accordionist and composer Manfred Becker, who will delight his audience with an exciting program. The concert is part of a series aimed at night owls, strays and bar souls - i.e. all those who want to enjoy the city's nightly cultural life. Becker, who originally lived in Giessen, has now settled in Kassel and brings a breath of fresh air with his new band members Rolf Denecke on the double bass and Martin Speicher, who impresses with the bass clarinet. Joe Bonica remains on board as drummer and provides the necessary groove.
As part of his appearance, Becker will present some of his most famous works, including the sound painting “Accidental Encounter”. This piece, which is already part of the tradition of his work, is supplemented by new compositions such as “Hinterm Deich” and “Unterm Blattdach”, which will be premiered on this occasion. The music becomes increasingly permeated with a jazzy influence, with Becker delving into the older piece “Quarterback” with a complex 11/8 time signature.
An evening full of diversity
The sounds of Martin Speicher on the alto saxophone leave a lasting impression, while the melodies of the piece “Step by Step” impress with their lively whole-tone steps. Two of the more recent works, “Behind the Deich” and “Under the Leaf Roof,” are hypnotic and develop into a captivating musical dialogue culture. At the end of the evening, the listeners can expect the piece “Rue d’Espoir” in three-four time, which forms a light yet profound conclusion.
Becker will also perform a small tribute to his long-time drummer Joe Bonica. After a successful performance, there are encores in the form of “Delirium” and a reverent “Miniature”, which round off the evening perfectly. This concert is not only a revival of a performance originally planned for 2024, but also a sign that interest in contemporary music is high in the Giessen region. The “Bright & Blue Notes” series will continue in the 2025/26 season, with the next highlight, Captain Overdrive, announced for November 28, 2025.
A look at the music scene
The variety of music festivals in Germany is impressive and shows that contemporary music has a permanent place in cultural life. The German Music Information Center emphasizes that many of these festivals take place regularly in the various federal states and usually have a unique character due to international aspects or special topics. While amateur music festivals are not the focus, there are a wealth of professional and semi-professional events available that greatly enrich the musical offering. With the “Bright & Blue Notes” series, Gießen itself offers an excellent example of how contemporary music can be conveyed in a lively and exciting way in a local context.
With the return of Manfred Becker, the audience can look forward to a tight-knit group of sounds that will appeal to both lovers of contemporary and jazz music. A must for everyone who wants to indulge in cool vibes! Further information about the event can be found on the websites of [Giessener Allgemeine](https://www.giessener- Allgemeine.de/giessen/claimsvolles-musikerlebnis-93796771.html), Stadttheater Gießen and Miz.