Pioneer of jazz in Baden-Württemberg: Video

The saxophonist, clarinetist and composer Bernd Konrad receives today, March 28, the Baden-Württemberg State Jazz Prize for his life’s work presented.

Bernd Konrad talking about his musical life

The award ceremony will take place during a prizewinner concert at the Theaterhaus Jazztagen in Stuttgart. Bernd Konrad is a “virtuoso instrumentalist and courageous avant-garde”, it was stated in the statement by Secretary of State Petra Olschowski. In Baden-Württemberg the artist was a “pioneer of jazz”. The prize is endowed with 10,000 euros. Earlier sponsors of the honorary prize are Eberhard Weber, Wolfgang Dauner and Herbert Joos.

First German jazz professor
Konrad founded in 1981 together with Jiggs Wigham the Youth Jazz Orchestra Baden-Württemberg, which he directed until 2013. At the University of Music in Stuttgart in 1986 he became the first German jazz professor. His most important compositions include “Dream Dancer”, “To Hear The World In A Grain Of Sand”, “Burning Flower”, “Stepping Stone” and “The Lake”.

Video: Bernd Konrad and the Tonhalle Orchestra Hannover.