Tobias Backhaus - drums

Florian Menzel - trumpet

Ben Kraef - sax

Uri Gincel - piano

Paul Kleber - bass

“It is a true honour to celebrate one of Germany´s greatest jazz artists at the Zig Zag on 13.01.24. Toby Backhaus is undeniably one of the best drummers in the world. He possesses the rare musical gift of making any ensemble and band sound great. Blending sophistication, passionate energy and precision, Toby is one of a few drummers who can deliver the driving energy and rhythmical force past on by greats such as Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Max Roch and Elvin Jones. “
Dimitris Christidis (owner, manager)

Tobias Backhaus once again gathers four of his best friends and wonderful musicians to celebrate his birthday at their favourite club! These five Zig Zag regulars share a long-standing close friendship and a deep musical and personal trust which makes every time they perform together something really special. Tonight they tackle some highlights out of Tobias’ infamous „Songs I Love To Play” folder, penned by jazz greats of the past and present, as well as some of his own material.

Look forward to an exciting evening full of swinging energy, spontaneity and a thirst for adventure!

FLORIAN MENZEL is one of Germany’s top trumpet players. Despite his young age he has already gained remarkable experience and success in the jazz world. He has won numerous awards, such as the „Skoda Jazz Award”, the „Yamaha Trumpet Contest” or the „Savoy Award of Excellence”. He has toured and performed with greats like Till Brönner, WDR Big Band or Clueso and composed and performed part of the soundtrack of the German hit movie „Oh Boy”.

BEN KRAEF is a German-Montenegrin saxophonist and composer based in Berlin. Ben graduated from the University of Music “Hanns Eisler”, Berlin and obtained a Master of Arts from The City College of New York in 2009 where he was also awarded the Billie Stoller Scholarship to an outstanding scholar and musician in 2008. The list of internationally renowned musicians Ben has been performing and recording with includes luminaries Lalo Schifrin, Fred Hersch, Pee Wee Ellis and Till Brönner as well as pop groups such as „Wir Sind Helden” and the radio big bands of HR and WDR.

URI GINCEL certainly needs no introduction to the guests at the Zigzag. His style can be described as heavily rooted in tradition but with sensibility and understanding of bringing jazz into the modern age. His playing is dynamic, lyrical and full of energy and power! Born in Tel-Aviv, Uri came to Berlin in 2009 and quickly became an influential part of the German Capital’s jazz scene. He toured the world with many projects, including his own trio and the trash-punk powerhouse “Bonaparte”.

PAUL KLEBER was born in Berlin and started playing cello and drums at a young age, before he chose his main instrument, the double bass. He studied classical bass at the Hochschule für Musik „Hanns Eisler“ Berlin and later jazz bass at the Universität der Künste Berlin. He played and recorded with Jazzanova, Sebastian Studnitzky, British band Fink, Micatone, Nylon, JazzIndeed and Lisa Bassenge.

TOBIAS BACKHAUS is without doubt one of the most in-demand German jazz drummers. He studied under the guidance of master drummers John Riley, Joey Baron, Keith Copeland and John Hollenbeck and holds a Bachelor’s degree in jazz performance from the University of the Arts in Berlin. In the German capital, he quickly made a name for himself as a versatile and exciting musical accompanist and has been a vital part of the contemporary European jazz scene for well over the past decade.

Tobias regularly works with internationally renowned jazz artists such as Till Brönner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Tony Lakatos, Torsten de Winkel, Carlos Bica, Gwilym Simcock, Jiggs Whigham, Rick Margitza, Peter Weniger, Frank Chastenier and Ack van Rooyen as well as large ensembles such as the Dresden Symphonic Orchestra, NDR Big Band, Berlin Jazz Orchestra, European Movement Jazz Orchestra and many others.

Beginn: 21:00 Uhr (Einlass ab 20:00 Uhr)
Artist Support Fee: 25€

Location:
Zig Zag Jazz Club
Hauptstr. 89, 12159 Berlin