Beat Wismer
General Director of the Museum Kunstpalast Foundation 2007 - 2017
Music actually came before visual art in my life. Not surprisingly, back then in my youth: first rock and pop, Hendrix, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Velvet Underground and all the others, which of course included Miles Davis and John McLaughlin. A fortunate constellation of friends gave me early access to new jazz, including numerous personal encounters with greats from Betty Carter to Max Roach and the musicians of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, and friendships with Swiss jazz musicians to this day. The situation around 1970 was formative: of course Woodstock only existed in the film, but I already knew what Frank Zappa meant when, a few years after his death, he titled a piece Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue.
If home is where I feel at home - wherever I am, often travelling - then of course the places are part of it: In the seventies in Amsterdam it was the old Bimhuis as well as Paradiso and Melkweg; today it's still the Village Vanguard in New York, but also The Cornelia Street Cafe and, time and again, The Stone and, in London, The Vortex. The festivals have also been part of it for forty years, from the beginning, Willisau, then of course Moers, since I've been living in Düsseldorf. And then, a few years ago, I discovered the Jazz-Schmiede, somewhat belatedly but all the more happily: the experience of the live acts in the ambitious programme, performed in the stimulating atmosphere of one of the "most beautiful concert halls in Düsseldorf" (J-S's well-founded self-assessment), is an important, almost vital addition to the equally important and enjoyable listening experience in a quiet place: with the vinyl collection, at home. How good that it exists, the Jazz-Schmiede in Düsseldorf, in a city that is known and advertised as a city of art, but which, thanks to the Schmiede, can also be discovered as a city of jazz.
Ryan Carniaux
Professor and Head of Jazz Department Folkwang Hochschule Essen
The Jazz-Schmiede in Düsseldorf is without doubt one of my favourite jazz clubs in Europe. One of my very first concerts in Germany was there - as the opener of a session almost twenty years ago. The sound and atmosphere of the room are just great!
But what I particularly love about the Schmiede is the strong community. I've met so many wonderful colleagues there over the years - at sessions and concerts - and thanks to the relaxed and open atmosphere, I've always experienced direct contact with a curious, attentive and open audience.
The team - whether at the mixing desk, in booking or at the bar - is first class. The support they offer local and up-and-coming jazz musicians through their concert series and sessions is a huge benefit for the music scene in NRW.
I'm looking forward to many more years of making music at the Schmiede - and to a late drink or two with 'the cats' at the bar.
Pablo Held
Pianist, Cologne
I wish you all the best for the 30th anniversary of the Jazz-Schmiede! For me, the Schmiede is a place to which I always like to return and with which I associate unforgettable musical experiences.
You make me feel at home! This is not only due to the loyal Schmiede audience and the great sound, but also to the hospitality and care of the Schmiede team.
Congratulations to you all and I look forward to the next concert!
Your Pablo
Adam Nussbaum
Drummer, New York
It's always a joy to play at the Jazz-Schmiede. The vibe is great and the people are wonderful. Thank you for helping to keep jazz alive!
John Goldsby
Bassist and composer, WDR BigBand 1994 - 2024
I love playing at the Jazz-Schmiede, Düsseldorf! The audience, the club, the support team, and the vibe make this place an extra special home for jazz. Over the years, the Jazz-Schmiede has offered a platform for international stars, local bands, and young players, as well as a meeting point for jazz fans and connoisseurs. Congratulations on 30 years of the best in jazz. Long live the Jazz-Schmiede!
Andrzej Koliński
Polish Institute Düsseldorf
Jazz beyond the borders
Jazz has always been associated with freedom in Poland. Freedom of artistic expression, artistic development, internationality and understanding. Jazz is also an excellent means of communication between Poles and Germans across borders, politics and history. We at the 'Polish Institute Düsseldorf' took this to heart early on and quickly entered into a co-operation with the best jazz club - the Düsseldorf Jazz-Schmiede.
What has always impressed us over the years has been a fruitful mixture of professionalism and a friendly atmosphere - combined with an openness to learning new things from Poland. But - "It's people, stupid" and not 'economy' that makes the difference! Like Peter Weiss, who should be mentioned here on behalf of all friends of the Schmiede, who is tirelessly travelling on a 'holy mission of jazz'.
Well-known names such as Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski, Adam Pierończyk and Włodek Pawlik - who received a Grammy in 2014 - were presented at the Schmiede. But also the younger generation, such as Mikołaj Trzaska, Grzech Piotrowski, Sławek Jaskułke and Paweł Kaczmarczyk.
However, I would like to dedicate my contribution in the commemorative publication to Jarek Śmietana, who had many friends in Düsseldorf and often played here. And the 'Polish Institute Düsseldorf' wishes the Jazz-Schmiede many more years of creative freedom.
Eckart Schulze-Neuhoff
Director Robert Schumann Hall
Congratulations from the bottom of my heart to the Jazz-Schmiede on its 30th anniversary! Robert Schumann Hall and Jazz-Schmiede: I look back with gratitude on many years together with great projects and co-operations. I particularly remember the wonderful joint jazz festivals. My special thanks go to Peter Weiss for the always trusting collaboration. The Jazz-Schmiede is a reliable institution that enriches Düsseldorf's cultural life in many ways. The wide variety of programmes and the charm of an intimate jazz club give jazz a worthy home in the so-called Salzmannbau. I wish the Jazz-Schmiede all the best for the future!
Omer Klein
Pianist, winner of the city's 2013 sponsorship award
I'm hearing that the Jazz-Schmiede is 30 years old, which is unbelievable and such a great achievement. I have a big, important place in my heart for the Schmiede, the people who run it and operate it, and the people who are frequenting the venue and coming to hear the music.
I moved to Düsseldorf in September 2009 and had no idea what Düsseldorf was about and if there was any jazz in the city - I moved from Manhattan to Düsseldorf (!) I remember it like it was yesterday: I googled "Düsseldorf Jazz" to see what it gives me - and it gave me the Jazz-Schmiede. I sent an email - I don't know how it got to where it got - but I think that the first person that answered me, the first person I was in touch with, was Peter Baumgärtner. And he said, "Yeah, nice to have you in the city! Come to the jam or come to a show and see what it's like here."
And I came, and I played at one jam, and the rest was history: I very quickly met Peter Weiss and learned how much love and hard work he had been pouring into the place. I also met Nico Brandenburg who was giving a lot from himself to the venue. Of course Ivi, whom we all love and of course Lars, who is truly one of the great sound engineers. Through the years I've had such beautiful experiences there. I played there so many times - with my trio, solo, with other projects.
The public - what can I say about the Schmiede fans: the same people coming again and again. It's great that there are new people discovering the place as well, but we have there such a core of fantastic fans that are coming. And I will never forget that on the first night, the first jam that I played, someone introduced me or someone said, "This was Omer Klein", and then one of those regular fans that always come to the Schmiede, quickly shouted: "You're not Klein, you're Groß!"
I remember it like it was yesterday. So from my heart, I'm sending you all the best wishes. Let's go for another 30 years of Schmiede - another 60, another 90, another 120! You are bringing people together through music - through jazz - which is so needed in this time more than any other time. Let's teach those politicians and businessmen how to do it the right way. How to lead communities through music, through art. How to listen to one another's ideas and how to collaborate over something that is beautiful and uplifting like jazz music.
Much Respect,
Omer Klein
Paul Heller
WDR Big Band
Jazz-Schmiede Düsseldorf - a jazz club that musicians and audiences could only wish for! For 30 years, a varied, surprising and always exciting programme at the highest level. As a musician, as well as an audience member, the friendly and competent catering and the fantastic technical support immediately make you feel welcome and at home.
The excellent sound in the Jazz-Schmiede makes it extremely pleasant for musicians to make music - and always a pleasure to listen to in the auditorium. I wish the entire team at the Jazz-Schmiede Düsseldorf nothing but the best for the future, here's to at least the next 30 years, and always as happy a hand, imagination, passion and stamina as they have so successfully realised over the past 30 years.
Barbara Oxenfort
Singer
Düsseldorf is very lucky to have the Jazz-Schmiede!
A place where jazz lives and is lived in all its shades and experimental forms, a space - in the truest sense of the word - for jazz lovers, i.e. for jazz amateurs, for professional musicians, for jazz enthusiasts - whether performing artists or artistically interested listeners - there is actually only one: the Jazz-Schmiede!
This is where jazz lives and where it is lived! There is an exchange of ideas at all levels here - I'm just thinking of the regular jam sessions in addition to all the concerts on offer!
And that's exactly the luck of a city like Düsseldorf: that there is an institution for music - jazz - that is far more than just an institutional framework, that is filled with life!
