Cross -border jazz festival in Dudelingen: Arthur Possing in the spotlight

Arthur Possing cannot miss such an opportunity with the men of his quartet. And many other jazzers in the country who can and want to keep up internationally know how centrally the Dudelinger Festival « Like a Jazz Machine », which runs from May 7, can be this year.

These include Veda Bartringer (Artist in Residence), Claire Parsons and Pit Dahm (as guests of Bojan Z), Joël Metz, the Luxemburger Combos Blue Sunday and Between Shelves, Greg Lamy, Benoît Martiny and Laurent Peyfert (as artists in Residence).

Because not only an appearance at the festival extended this year for five days can develop too much. In the background, the local jazz scene with the support of the export office of culture: LX can advertise properly and encounter possible partners such as bookers, label operators, producers and media specialists. These are invited to the festival.

18 acts with over 70 musicians

But the competition, which is officially on stage, is high: 18 bands with over 70 musicians compete in the edition of this year. And for the first time, in addition to the Center Opder Melz and the Düdelinger Church of St. Martin, the “Kantin” in the Neischmelz venue in the district of Neischmelz is also.

It is not surprising that Arthur Possing has adapted the release of his new album to the festival. « Homes » is said to be taken in France in September 2024, mastered in Belgium and appears shortly before the « Like a Jazz Machine » concert on the last day of the festival (Sunday, May 11th; see info box).

Together with Pierre Cocq-Amann, Sebastian « Schlapbe » Flachs and Niels Engel, Pianist Possing also welcomes Joel Rabesolo as a guest. Not without reason: Rabesolo was already able to participate in the new album as a featuring artist and gives the sound of the quartet an exciting influence in the first audio samples – not only because the Madagasse brings its virtuosity on the guitar but also its voice.

And this new sound should arrive at the international audience, Possing hopes. « The » Like a Jazz Machine « generates a lot of attention. It was and is crucial for the younger jazz generation in the country. Because many here-for example as a residence artist with a lot of support from the Center Opder Melz-have been able to rehearse and record their music. Or have been able to show themselves in front of a expert audience. And this pulse at the creation is also the exciting one, » emphasizes Possing.

Local scene meets international sizes

The headliners are of course an argument. In addition to the sizes that the festival invites you to play alone, many are already an important step for many. In 2025, Chico Freeman, Aki Takase, Daniel Erdmann or Bojan Z. But for example, the Belgian, French or the Saarland scene can interfere and thus bring in a shoulder from the large region. « You can already see how the festival puts on the fans across borders, » says Possing.

The pianist opened the new album for what he himself could gain from experience across borders. « We were allowed to travel a lot with the last album. Serbia, the Czech Republic, the Ukraine or even Mexico were stations. And we noticed that access to music in these cultures is generally anchored in everyday life differently, the community behaves differently. That is why I thought a lot about the exchange between stage and the auditorium when writing, » he reveals the process.

And the title « Homes » is also coupled to the feeling of home. What is the sound of a home? How does it mix? Are we aware of our origin? Possing also draws out of personal experiences: « For example, I thought of my mother’s family, who moved from the Bavarian Forest to Munich to find their luck. When I come to Bavaria today, I feel good there by the childhood memories of my grandparents. This is also part of this album. »

This has consequences: the sound sounds significantly more world music. And with Rabesolo it widens even more. « I heard him in Brussels for the first time. What a musician who acts an incredible amount of listening. He is super precisely and shapes the musical course – at the beginning of his studies he had not learned a classic score. But that is exactly what makes his approach so special, » enthuses Possing.

But doesn’t such a guest overlay the performance of the ensemble? « Not at all. It quickly became clear that it fits well with each other. And that was very important to me that Egos does not stand out too one -sidedly. I think everyone knows when they get stronger or pulls out, » emphasizes Possing.

With all the support and possibilities that Luxembourg cultural workers are offered, Possing still sees potential in the country. So far there have been fewer infrastructures around the musicians themselves. Booking agencies or producers were still looking for many Luxembourg creative people abroad. Possing then also used Belgian experts in production. « But I think that’s just a matter of time, » said the pianist.