News provided by Rainer Haarmann, Festival Director

Save JazzBaltica! / JazzBaltica cannot end

The government of the German Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein has announced, without any forewarning, that it intends to completely end its funding of JazzBaltica beginning in 2011. This would certainly be the end of a festival with international appeal for its homeland, and it would be more than an immense and painful loss for the jazz world and Europe’s cultural landscape.

We, the signatories, protest against this totally unjustifiable and inexplicable intent. We also appeal to the parliament of Schleswig-Holstein to put a stop, with foresight and reason, to this severe blow to North Germany’s jazz culture.

During its 20 years, JazzBaltica developed, under the management of Rainer Haarmann, into a unique platform for jazz from northern Europe with renowned artists also from other parts of the world. It became a place of pilgrimage for its audience and musicians because here — whether in Salzau, Husum, Kiel or Lübeck — it was possible to experience great musical surprises of the highest international level.

International careers that started in Salzau include those of Nils Landgren and Esbjörn Svensson. The list of jazz legends who performed at JazzBaltica is long and ranges from Dave Brubeck, Max Roach, Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, Johnny Griffin, Tommy Flanagan, Al Jarreau and Dianne Reeves to Iphraim Ferrer, Toots Thielemans, Paolo Conte, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano and Wayne Shorter.

Unjustly forgotten jazz greats including Bunky Green, Hank Jones and Don Friedman also succeeded in making highly acclaimed comebacks in Salzau. For jazz musicians it has always been obvious that JazzBaltica “is one of the best festivals in the world” (Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny). JazzBaltica, this unique and outstanding family get-together of the jazz world, must live on!

We protest (list as of 2 June 2010)

ARTISTS
Sting
Ornette Coleman
Maria Schneider
Pat Metheny
Chick Corea
James Moody
Till Brönner
Nils Landgren
Michael Wollny
Joe Lovano
Dave Holland
Benny Golson
Bunky Green
Vince Mendoza
Dave Douglas
John Scofield
Siggi Loch (ACT Music)
Matthias Brandt
Mariele Millowitsch
Katja Rieman
Chris Potter
Marcus Strickland
Don Friedman
Martin Wind
Dominic Miller
Joe Locke
Russell Malone
Ulf Wakenius
Edmar Castaneda
Caecilie Norby
Lars Danielsson
Nils Petter Molvaer
Jan Bang
Johannes Enders
Detlef Olufs
Wolfgang Muthspiel
Richie Beirach
Julia Hülsmann
Marc Muellbauer
Pepe Berns
Heinrich Köberling
Donny McCaslin
Stefanie Marcus (Traumton Records)
Wolfgang Haffner
Jürgen Thiele
das ProfiMusik Team
Nils Wülker
Julian & Roman Wasserfuhr
Frank Abraham (F-Cat Productions)

PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Björn Engholm, former Prime Minister of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein
Franz Froschmaier, former Minister of Economic Affairs of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein
Gisela Böhrk, former Minister for Education of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein

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