Themacombo Karolina Strassmayer’s Cologne

As every year, Leuven Jazz presents a series of theme combos by the jazz department of the LUCA School of Arts. Together with their teacher, the students work out a repertoire around a certain theme or a well-known figure from the history of jazz.

Double bass teacher Jos Machtel, together with the students, pays tribute to alto saxophonist Karolina Strassmayer. In 2004, she was the first female band member of the Grammy Award winning WDR Big Band Cologne.

Downbeat readers voted her into the Top Five alto saxophonists two years in a row. Among other things, connoisseurs described her as “one of the most interesting alto saxophonists under forty” (Doug Ramsey), “a player with great emotional depth” (Washington Post), and “exuberant and gritty ... instantly engaging” (JAZZIZ).

More info

met Elly Broeckmans (sax), Artan Poisquet (guitar), Maura Delbare (piano) and Pjotr Paeshuyse (drums)