Jazz Programs
• Dinah Washington Memory Lane
Janice Harrington with Hans Malte Witte (sax), Thilo Wagner (p),
Lindy Huppertsberg (b), Gregor Beck (d) (when available)
• Blues & Jazz
For this program the following musicians can be chosen:
Werner Guertler (tb), Simon Holiday (p), Jan Luley (p), Dylan Vaughn (git),
Tom Shaka (git), Lindy Huppertsberg (b), Tommie Harris (dr, voc)
• Janice Harrigton is also available for Big Bands
The Musicians (Dinah Washinton Memory Lane)
Hans-Malte Witte studied at Amsterdam Highschool of Arts in Hilversum and Amsterdam, his first mentor was Prof. Herb Geller in Hamburg. Some stations in Hans-Malte Witte´s biography: jazz scholarship in New York; one year in the Caribbean. Latin studio productions in Santo Domingo with Crispín Fernandez, Sergio Vargas, Merengue and Salsa Combos (continuous TV shows, CD recordings). Participation in different projects such as: Bundesjugendjazzorchester under the leadership of Peter Herbolzheimer (Bujazzo), HR Big Band, Jazz Orchestra Niedersachsen (JON), Glenn Miller Orchestra under the leadership of Wil Salden, Big Band Blechschaden, Musical,- theater- and TV-productions (Bremen, Hamburg, Oldenburg, Wien), Gottfried Böttger Allstar Band (3nach9), Oldenburgisches Staatsorchester Anything Goes, Tom Gaebel, Helmut Zerlett Band Romy 2007; ORF2, Thomas Borchert + Lutz Krajenski Big Band Musical Swings, pianist in the Helmut Zerlett Band; TV-Show Schmidt und Pocher. Since 2007 Hans-Malte Witte works also in Cologne on a regular basis with different big bands, in studio projects and from time to time with the Helmut Zerlett Band.
Lindy Huppertsberg - Europe´s most famous female bass player started her career with Germany´s well-known Barrelhouse Jazzband from 1979-89. 1987 she formed her own German-American quartet and added in 1994 the sensational American Mainstream band The Swinging Ladies. 2003 she founded the all-female band WitchCraft with Anke Helfrich and Carola Grey. Ms. Huppertsberg also shared the stage and recorded with many of the most famous jazz stars: Harry "Sweets" Edison, Clark Terry, Buddy Tate, Arnett Cobb, Sammy Price, Herb Ellis, Frank Wess, Bobby Durham, Al Grey, Red Holloway, Ed Thigpen, Butch Miles, Major Holley, DeeDee Bridgewater, Ron Ringwood, Joan Faulkner, Oscar Klein, Benny Golson, Kenny Burell, Charly Antolini, Keith Smith, Alvin Queen, Dan Barrett, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, Jesse Davis, Pete York, Emil Mangelsdorff, Joy Fleming... Her big idol and teacher Ray Brown named her Lady Bass. Her strong sound and her swinging bass lines are very much in demand for international all-star-line-ups. She performed in over 60 countries with continuous success. In 2001 she became an honorary citizen of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Homepage:www.ladybass.de
Thilo Wagner can be heared on over 60 recordings with famous musicians such as Billy Mitchell, Butch Miles, Slide Hampton, Art Farmer, Emil Mangelsdorff, Martin Drew or Danny Moss. He won several festival prices and fans in all of Europe, USA and Canada. He is often invited to tour with top musicians such as Scott Hamilton, Jim Hall,Peanuts Hucko, Benny Waters or Ack Van Rooyen, because his exceptional swinging piano style belongs to best what the German jazz scene has ot offer. His lines in breakneck speed and sharp timing, his expressive ballad approach or his grooving blues quotes amaze and entuse the audience wherever he is performing.
Gregor Beck recorded as well over 40 albums, toured through the USA, Europe and Canada and performed numerous concerts with famous jazz giants like Earl Warren, Dick Wellstood, Kenny Davern, Joe Newman, Major Holley, Sammy Price, Paul Kuhn, Ralph Sutton or Scott Hamilton. He headed a recording with Benny Waters. Like Thilo Wagenr he is a long time member of the famous German Allotria Jazzband. Like no other drummer he continues the tradition of his big idols Big Sid Catlett, Jo Jones, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. With his own fully developed style he is more than a worthy follower of these great drummers in today´s jazz scene. Homepage:www.gregorbeck.de