by Frauke R-H

That’s the jazz scene at the Hamburg Deutsche Schauspielhaus. Ever wonder where you could hear professional musicians in Hamburg play music they love when they are free from their studio and freelance commitments? New York City has its Greenwich Village for just such an occasion, and the Deutsche Schauspielhaus in downtown Hamburg tried to provide the same service for northern Germany. On Monday, December 8, 2003, the "Monday Night Jazz Orchestra" gave the most outstanding performance under the leadership of erstwhile New Yorker Jerry Tilitz at the Schauspielhaus restaurant. Everything was just right: the location, the acoustics, the musicians, the set, the program. It was jazz I had not heard since my Chicago and New York days many years ago: so pure, so professional, so classic.

Jerry Tilitz is a trombonist and vocalist. He has performed and recorded with many exceptional artists including Gerry Mulligan, Hank Jones, Roy Eldrige, Herb Geller, etc. With his experience in teaching jazz theory and analysis, hosting his own radio program, composing and producing several recordings and writing for the Jazz Journal International, Jerry has the skill and the connections to call on the best musicians around.

The plan was to make Monday night the regular date to take part in the celebration of jazz. One of the interesting things about Monday nights is that it is almost never the same, week after week. That's because some of the regular guys will end up with a gig for that particular evening and they arrange for a colleague to sit in for the night. Each new musician adds a different sound to the band and by now many fans have their favorite lineups. That was the plan …

Then the management of the Deutsche Schauspielhaus decided that jazz in the basement restaurant may possibly interfere with the stage work on the upper floors – and called it off! It is sad – but there is always another way and another chance!

Pat R and I are in contact with Jerry and his teams (orchestra as well as quartet) and hope soon to inform our club members about time and location of regular jazz sessions. Watch our email loop information and don’t let this wonderful sound pass you by. Even better visit these nights yourself, have a drink and become acquainted with some of the finest jazz musicians in Europe.