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This event took place on August 4th, 2024, in Europe’s most beautiful concert hall and is also Europe’s largest jazz festival.
Moderator Caro Matzko guided the audience through this wonderful and energetic event.
The stars included Wolfgang Haffner, 4 Wheel Drive, All Star Big Band, Ida Sand, Ivan Lins, Randy Brecker, and Shantel.
Star drummer Wolfgang Haffner is the musical director and driving force behind Stars im Luitpoldhain. He has shared
the stage with, among others, Die Fantastischen Vier, Pat Metheny, and Konstantin Wecker.
He has already brought many music greats to Nuremberg, such as jazz trumpeter Till Brönner, Nightmares On Wax,
Clueso, saxophone icon Bill Evans, bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff, and singers like Viktoria Tolstoy,
Stefanie Heinzmann, Roger Cicero, Max Mutzke, trombonist Nils Landgren, saxophonist Klaus Doldinger,
De-Phazz with singer Pat Appleton, jazz trumpeter Till Brönner, and saxophone icon Bill Evans.
Wolfgang Haffner accompanied all the artists on drums until 11:00 PM.
Wolfgang Haffner – Schlagzeug
Nils Landgren – Posaune + Gesang
Lars Danielsson – Bass
Michael Wollny – Keyboard
The super band with four exceptional artists.
All four have already performed at the Festspielhaus. A joint performance did Nils Landgren so much good
that he
spontaneously asked the three colleagues if they wanted to form a permanent band together.
That was the moment when “4 Wheel Drive” was born.
The German-Swedish super band “4 Wheel Drive” consists of four exceptional musicians who create a unique
sound
with their original compositions and reinterpretations of well-known hits.
In 2023, their album “4 Wheel Drive II”
was released, once again proving their great talent for pushing the boundaries
of jazz and exploring new horizons.
Swede Nils Landgren, affectionately known as “Mr. Red Horn” for his red trombone, impresses with his versatile
playing
and distinctive voice in the jazz and funk scene. Michael Wollny, an “absolute master of the piano” and a
“modest piano star,”
captivates with his unique improvisation and composition style. Swedish bassist and cellist Lars Danielsson,
with his warm,
singing bass tone, is a master of atmosphere. Wolfgang Haffner, the musical director of the evening,
completes the quartet.
This creative quartet nurtures a long-standing friendship, and between the band members, there is a non-verbal communication,
they understand each other without words, which is the special magic that additionally enchants the audience.
Leadership: Jörg Achim Keller
The German All Star Big Band consists of members from the best radio ensembles, freelance soloists,
composers,
and arrangers—simply the top musicians from the German and European music scene.
Wolfgang Haffner got to know
and appreciate these exceptional musicians throughout the various stages of his career.
The Big Band is directed by one of Europe’s most renowned composers, arrangers, and conductors, Jörg Achim Keller.
His regular work with various European ensembles, such as the hr-Bigband, underscores his artistic profile.
Haffner describes Keller’s compositions with the words: “The sounds he writes go straight to my heart.”
Saxophon: Heinz-Dieter Sauerborn, Oliver Leicht, Paul Heller, Andreas Maile, Edgar Herzog;
Trompete: Wim Both, Frank Wellert, Ruud Breuls, Torsten Maaß;
Posaune: Günter Bollmann, Ulrich Plettendorff, Jürgen Neudert, Robert Hedemann;
Piano: Simon Oslender; Gitarre: Bruno Müller; Bass: Claus Fischer;
Perkussion: Rhani Krija;
Vibraphon: Christopher Dell;
Arrangements/Dirigent: Jörg Achim Keller
With several Grammy Awards to his name, he is the most successful Brazilian composer outside of Brazil.
His music ranges between Música Popular Brasileira and Jazz Fusion. Stars like Barbra Streisand,
Michael Bublé, and
Quincy Jones have recorded Ivan Lins’ pieces, turning them into global hits.
He himself has released over 40 albums.
Since the 1980s, his music has had a significant
international influence.
Ivan Lins has performed with stars such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sting, and many others.
In 2023, his album “My Heart Speaks” was nominated for a Grammy in the category of
”Best Latin Jazz Album.”
In 2022, Ivan Lins, as one of the greatest songwriters, was heard for the first time in
Luitpoldhain, providing the best
example that success can be achieved with musical compromises that still maintain
the demands and quality of jazz.
Ivan Lins once again captivated the audience with his unmistakable charm.
The legendary trumpeter came all the way from the USA.
Randy Brecker studied classical trumpet at Indiana University
in Bloomington. In 1966, he moved to New York and,
in 1968, worked in Clark Terry’s Big Band, among others.
In 1970, he played with Horace Silver, Stevie Wonder,
Janis Joplin, and Art Blakey. As a seven-time Grammy winner and a
member of the influential fusion duo The Brecker Brothers,
he has significantly shaped the jazz world.
Brecker was a founding member of Blood, Sweat & Tears and was involved
in the production of legendary LPs like Lou Reed’s
“Berlin” and Paul Simon’s “Graceland.”
A woman with a powerful yet very gentle voice.
Ida Sand comes from Sweden and presented two of her own songs and a song by Nina Simone from 1967,
written by Billy Taylor.
And how did Ida come to be so drawn to these old classic songs?
She comes from a classical family background.
Her father is a singer, and her mother is a church musician.
Gospel music and singing inspired her and showed her the way.
Ida Sand, inspired by Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Aretha Franklin, is an artist who has worked at the fore
front
of the Swedish music scene. She is a freelance artist, playing the keyboard and singing. On August 4th, 2024,
Ida Sand performed for the first time in Luitpoldhain, and certainly not for the last time. Ida Sand and Wolfgang Haffner
not only regularly perform concerts together but also share a great friendship.
The weather wasn’t particularly nice at times; it rained, but the people carried sunshine in their hearts and were well-prepared.
The audience brought rain gear, umbrellas, wine, blankets, and everything needed to perfect the evening’s coziness.
Thanks to the artists, the atmosphere was sensational, and the approximately 40,000 spectators were treated by world stars.
For over three hours, Wolfgang Haffner, the All Star Big Band, 4 Wheel Drive, Randy Brecker, Ida Sand, Ivan Lins, and Shantel performed.
Later in the evening, about 40,000 people lit their “sparklers.” It was an incredibly beautiful sight, radiating so much peace and romance.
It was wonderful to see so many happy and relaxed faces.
He lived temporarily in Paris, where he studied graphic design but was also active as a DJ.
In 2001, he produced the song Inside together with MC Mike Romeo, incorporating his work as a DJ and producer.
The song became well-known through numerous releases on various compilations and its use in the
commercial
for Aktion Mensch.
The CD sold well worldwide, leading to some tracks being used for film soundtracks and commercials.
For example, the track Bucovina was featured in the film Alles auf Zucker (2004) and in commercials.
Shantel also contributed the track Mahalageasca (Bucovina Dub) from the Bucovina Club compilation to the soundtrack
of the globally successful film Borat (2007) by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. The success of the CD prompted
Shantel to release a follow-up titled Bucovina Club 2. Additionally, Shantel has been performing at concerts ever since,
for which he formed the Bucovina Club Orkestar to enable the live performance of the songs he produced.
Shantel “tore the stage down completely.” Starting at 10:30 PM, he got the audience—40,000 people—on their feet,
and everyone danced, sang, and had a great time. Simply amazing! Shantel has a lot of energy, fun, and positive vibes.
This energy is contagious, brings a lot of joy, and spreads happiness.
It was a sensational evening, and for 2026, you should definitely mark the date in your calendar.
A heartfelt thank you to all the paramedics, firefighters, police officers, mounted police, and security staff.
You all did a truly great job.
The event ran smoothly, and those on duty greatly enjoyed the whole ambiance and the fantastic music.
Warm regards, Yours Susanne Panhans
Ihre Werbetexte schreiben, PR-Strecken veröffentlichen, die Fotoshootings und alles was Sie sichtbar macht, bekommen Sie bei mir.
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All images and texts © by Susanne Panhans
