Jazz Forum Luxembourg: A new home for jazz lovers
Something like a jazz forum is very common elsewhere. « I noticed that in Germany. A performance in Bayreuth was very remembered. Then the community, which was formed around jazz, had something very familiar, » says Shauli Einav.
The saxophonist came into the country around six years ago and settled with his family in the Grand Duchy. Born in Israeli, he had refined his skills in New York and Paris and earned his merits in the scene. His combos and work together are diverse. Sometimes connected to the traditions of jazz, sometimes experimentally.
He wanted to convey something of this jazz passion to his center of life. And such a forum- a kind of interest club of jazz enjoyments, hobby and professional jazz musicians- was missing in the country. When the Coronapandemia made tours and concerts more and more difficult, he thought about the idea of more specifically.
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Among other things, he discussed her with a friend. At David Hall, teacher at the International School of Luxembourg (ISL) and even a passionate music fan and hobby musician, it hit a nerve. « We decided that if the pandemic would come to an end – we would take the first steps, » said Einav.
Shauli Einav learned his craft in New York. Photo: Assaf Matarasso
In 2023 it was officially so far: the Jazz Forum Luxembourg ASBL. started their work. The guiding principle « Our mission is to promote a lively jazz community in Luxembourg and beyond » is ahead of the whole.
Access for all fans of the genre
A first part of the engagement was and is the organization of a school band at the ISL, which teachers Hall takes care of. This can come into contact with experienced local and international professionals, even work with them as in a master class and sniff stage air as support acts before the concert of the guest stars. « At the moment we are still limited to the ISL, but if everything goes well, we could expand this offer for external people, » says Einav.
The initiator is also on stage: the Saxophonist Einav not only brings up his network, but also helps musically. Photo: Rachel Tham
« If it comes to me, the educational offer should gradually increase, » hopes the saxophonist. « Of course there is the conservatory, but here everyone who is interested in jazz should really get involved. What about musical discoveries for children from the age of three?
« And many adults, for example, want to make music again and do not have the opportunity. Similar to the pupils, however, there could be an amateurs with professionals through the forum adults. But it doesn’t always have to be made directly: We have been able to win friends themselves: We have been able to win friends who help in the organization-everything simply, community, without business thoughts and with heart. » All financial aid from the pots of the city of Luxembourg and the state flow to work.
Guest star Dena Derose will come to the concert on May 7th
And einav? He brings his contacts. The fact that experienced professionals such as Yonathan Avishai – he was a guest in 2024 – then come to Luxembourg, for example for such a project, is also due to the basis of trust that EinAV acquired. « And even if it was a hundred spectators in the first concert, it is a wonderful success that I would not have expected, » says the saxophonist in retrospect. The work of the forum is proud to talk about more and more people.
When it comes to me, the educational offer should gradually increase.
Shauli Einav
Initiator Jazz Forum Luxembourg
The current forum concert season ends on May 7 with an evening with the pianist, singer and composer dena derose. « We are already looking for musicians who can also work pedagogically. Dena has a long experience, for example, she teaches in Graz, » says Einav about the American who teaches jazz singing.
Dena Derose should not only come to the concert. In a kind of master course, she should convey her experience to students. Photo: Antonio Porcar
The school band in the Auditorium of the ISL-Lower School (entrance to the P&R bouillon) will only be honored on the concert evening at 6.30 p.m., then Dena Derose will play with local heroes Marc Demuth and Paul Wiltgen from 7.30 p.m.
Wiltgen has been playing regularly with EinAV for around five years. « There are such strong jazzers in Luxembourg, » enthuses the saxophonist from the local scene. Many are not even aware of the international level there would be in the country. The work of the Jazz Forum should also change something at this construction site to put the Luxembourg scene a little more aware.
« Local professionals meet international professionals. You should get to know each other, » says Einav. Maybe on May 7th, the forum will play the forum that more jazz fans are already in the country. The Düdelinger « Like a Jazz Machine » festival starts on the same day.
More about Shauli Einav can be found on his website www.shaulieinav.com. Information about the Jazz Forum Luxembourg and its work – including the reservation options for tickets for the concert of May 7th with Dena Derose – is available at www.jazzforum.lu.
