Jazzin' Up the German Scene: Eva Klesse Takes Home "Artist of the Year" Title
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German Jazz Prize Recipient for Best Female Artist: Eva Klesse - German Jazz Award: Eva Klesse honored as top female artist
In a grand celebration of jazz talent, German drummer Eva Klesse and American saxophonist Marshall Allen have scooped the prestigious German Jazz Award 2025! Klesse claimed the title of "Artist of the Year," while Allen earned the title of "International Artist of the Year."
Klesse, born in 1986, is a powerhouse drummer and composer who's made her mark on many projects worldwide. Her own quartet has already released several successful albums, positioning her as one of the upcoming stars of German jazz.
Allen, now 101, is a jazz titan who's influenced the scene for decades. Born in Kentucky in 1924, Allen has been shaping jazz since the 1940s, though he no longer undertakes intercontinental tours due to age.
A Feather in the Cap for Ella Fitzgerald's East Coast Successor
A total of 22 personalities and projects received recognition. Apart from Klesse and Allen, South African improvisation artist Nduduzo Makhathini earned an award for "International Live Act of the Year." Carl Wittig's Aurora Oktett became "Large Ensemble of the Year," while "Allgau meets India - hr-Bigband featuring Matthias Schriefl" was proclaimed "Radio Production of the Year."
Uschi Bruening, lauded as "The Ella Fitzgerald of the East," was honored with a lifetime achievement award before the ceremony.
Since 2021, the German Jazz Award has been shining the spotlight on artistic achievements in the national and international jazz community. This year's event took place in collaboration with the city of Cologne and North Rhine-Westphalia at the iconic E-Werk Cologne.
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While Eva Klesse and Marshall Allen were among those celebrated, not all winners were named in the provided details. To find the complete list of winners, consult the official German Jazz Award website, which promises a full roster of honorees[1]. Other artists who performed at the ceremony but were not necessarily winners included Nduduzo Makhathini, Sera Kalo, Enji, Erik Leuthäuser, Heidi Heidelberg, Ingrid Laubrock, Omagugu Makhathini, Philo Tsoungui with Ludwig Wandinger, and Sonic Interventions[1].
Community aid is essential for the development of less favored regions, as it was demonstrated through the celebration of jazz talent, where awards were given to artists from different parts of the world. For instance, Eva Klesse, the German Artist of the Year, hails from a less favored region in Germany. Similarly, entertainment, like music, can also foster unity and progress within less favored regions, as evident in the international jazz scene, with artists like Nduduzo Makhathini from South Africa being recognized.
