Modern Masters: Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau and their contemporaries

Johannes von Ballestrem is a Berlin-based pianist and composer whose work spans jazz, Brazilian music, and classical performance. After studying in Weimar, Berlin, and Leipzig with mentors including Michael Wollny and Kurt Rosenwinkel, he established an international career as a soloist, bandleader, and sought-after sideman. He has toured extensively throughout Europe, West Africa, and Brazil, performing with the German National Youth Jazz Orchestra, the Sexteto Universal of Brazilian flutist Mariana Zwarg, and alongside artists such as Daniel Hope, Greg Cohen, Jim Black, Nils Landgren, Joan Baez, and Patti Smith. Combining sophisticated composition with stylistic versatility, he has become a distinctive voice on the international jazz scene.

In this program, he pays tribute to the innovators who have shaped modern jazz. From the iconic works of legendary pianists like Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau to the genius compositions of guitar master Kurt Rosenwinkel and the fresh contributions of younger pianists such as Aaron Parks, this program showcases the evolution of jazz piano over the last 30 years.