Award-Winning Drummer Eva Klesse Takes Home German Jazz Prize as Best Female Artist
German jazz musician Eva Klesse clinches the prestigious title of Best Artist in the German Jazz Awards. - German Jazz Award: Eva Klesse Claims Title of Top Female Artist
Get ready to groove! German drummer Eva Klesse and renowned saxophonist Marshall Allen have bagged the prestigious German Jazz Award 2025. Klesse, affectionately dubbed "Germany's New Jazz Queen," was crowned "Artist of the Year," while Allen received the "International Artist of the Year" title, as unveiled by Musik. These swanky trophies come with a prize of 12,000 euros each.
Born in 1986, Eva Klesse is a force to be reckoned with in the realm of jazz, rocketing to fame as a skillful drummer and composer. With her quartet, she's explored multiple projects, and her extensive global tours have left an indelible mark on half the world. Now one of the newer torchbearers of German jazz, she's set to light up stages for years to come.
Marshall Allen, an octogenarian jazz trailblazer, deserves a standing ovation. At an impressive 101 years young, he's shaped the face of jazz since the 1940s. Although he's no longer jumping on international flights, his influence within the jazz sphere remains unmatched.
The "Jazz Queen of the East" and her lifetime achievement
In addition to Eva Klesse and Marshall Allen, the awards ceremony recognized South African improvisation artist Nduduzo Makhathini as the "International Live Act of the Year." Meanwhile, Carl Wittig's Aurora Oktett was lauded as the "Large Ensemble of the Year," and "Allgäu meets India - hr-Bigband featuring Matthias Schriefl" won the radio production category, "Radio Production of the Year."
Before the ceremony, it was announced that jazz and schlager singer Uschi Brünning, fondly known as the "Jazz Queen of the East," would receive the lifetime achievement award.
The German Jazz Prize has been shining the spotlight on artistic achievements in the national and international jazz scene since 2021. The fifth awards ceremony was held in collaboration with the city of Cologne and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia at the E-Werk Cologne.
- German Jazz Prize
- Artist of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement
- Jazz
- Music
Intriguingly, not all winners are highlighted in the available search results, but sources suggest Pilo Tsoungui, a talented percussionist, won in the "Drums / Percussion" category[3]. It's worth noting that the selection process saw an international main jury pick winners from 76 nominees[2]. To learn more about the prize or the list of winners, check out the official German Jazz Prize website or their social media channels.
- The German Jazz Prize, which celebrates artistic achievements in the jazz scene, also recognized Pilo Tsoungui, a talented percussionist, as the winner in the "Drums / Percussion" category.
- Beyond the main awards, the entertainment industry has been buzzing about Uschi Brünning, affectionately known as the "Jazz Queen of the East," who received the lifetime achievement award before the ceremony began.
