Voices of Water (Stimmen des Wassers)
Interdisciplinary vocal concert with live electronics

With “Voices of Water,” Silke Gonska and Laura Lenhardt present a deeply intimate concert project for two voices, live loops, electronics, and field recordings. In compositions and freely improvised soundscapes, water becomes the acoustic protagonist: as a source and a current, as a threat and a place of longing.

The performance moves between quiet, fragile moments and intense, eruptive clusters of sound. Drops give rise to rhythms, currents to vocal layers, and breath to poignant commentaries that reflect the emotional states of our present.

“Voices of Water” invites the audience not only to hear water but to experience it physically—as an element of existential significance and increasing fragility.

-> Laura Lenhardt (born in Weimar) is a singer, composer, and performance artist working at the intersection of jazz, contemporary music, and interdisciplinary art. She studied jazz vocals (KUG Graz) and jazz composition (KCB Brussels). International tours have taken her to India, South Africa, the U.S., and Brazil, among other places. She has worked as an “artist in residence” in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Brussels. Her projects range from large-ensemble productions (Birds, 2025) to interdisciplinary performances (The Only Dream Worth Heaving, 2022). She has received grants from the Musikfonds and the Thuringia Cultural Foundation, among others.

-> Silke Gonska (born in Nordhausen) is a singer, drummer, and performer with international experience. After studying in Weimar, Leeds, and Jena, she has been working as a freelance artist and instructor since 1999. She has performed with “The Muffin Men” (UK) and various ensembles on the independent scene, among others.

On 28 August 2026, the 19-piece band -> Zierdt from NDH will be treating audiences to an extraordinary musical experience at mon ami in Weimar.

The audience is invited to immerse themselves deeply in the musicians’ unique soundscape. Musically speaking, ZIERDT simply cannot be pigeonholed. From blues rock with a jazzy touch, to rousing rhythms reminiscent of tango, and then back to catchy melodies, the audience will be taken on an emotional journey.

The music tells of life’s transitions, of memories of the past and hopes for the future – themes that touch the heart and inspire reflection.

A vision of soulful and authentic jazz

With their band → Behle, Isabelle and Christian Schieblich bring their vision of soulful and authentic jazz to life. The couple share a deep musical connection that enables them to intuitively understand and complement each other’s music. Their shared energy is infectious and creates an unforgettable atmosphere. Isabelle captivates with her vocal interpretations and her stage presence, whilst Christian’s guitar playing is artful yet soulful, and he consistently demonstrates a keen sense of the perfect accompaniment.

The Thuringian saxophonist Robert Fränzel completes the trio this evening. In recent years, he has been a member of the Norwegian band ‘Midnight Choir’ and the ‘Jazzmeile Big Band Thüringen’, where he has performed in joint concerts with Nils Landgren, Pe Werner, Lee Konitz and Kenny Wheeler, amongst others. Numerous television appearances, including on WDR’s ‘Rockpalast’, as well as extensive tours with the cult band ‘Keimzeit’, have cemented his reputation on the international music scene.

Behle delights both jazz enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

With her voice, -> Nele Hartig paints vivid pictures, conveys emotions and moves people.

Her joy in interacting with the audience, the pleasure she takes in making music, and her versatile and dynamic voice captivate her listeners.

She is accompanied by two accomplished musicians: Bernhard Wundrank on the saxophone, who is known as the leader of the Nerly Big Band, and the versatile pianist Christian Rangnick.

Nele Hartig’s moving, richly nuanced interpretations – combined with her open, strong personality and great empathy – are her hallmark.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Open Sky Project is a musical collaboration between → Sammy Lukas (keyboards) and → Marcus Horn (drums).

The focus is on the direct dialogue between the two musicians. Original compositions and reinterpreted standards come together to create an open concert experience that thrives on spontaneity, expressiveness, and subtle interplay. Each performance takes on its own character—open, lively, and fully in the moment.

The GBJA Masterclass Ensemble is the 2026 winner of the “Bundesbegegnung Jugend jazzt” competition. The concert prize is sponsored by Jazzmeile Thüringen.

The Masterclass Ensemble of the Glen Buschmann Jazz Academy in Dortmund brings together selected emerging musicians who demonstrate a high level of musical skill and stylistic openness. Under the artistic direction of saxophonist Evgeny Ring, the ensemble brings together distinct musical voices that engage deeply with the diverse currents of modern jazz.

The ensemble offers its members space for artistic experimentation and the opportunity to develop and realize their own musical ideas. This process gives rise to original arrangements and compositions that are regularly presented in concerts. The ensemble’s members have won awards in numerous competitions at the regional, state, and national levels and have already gained extensive concert and stage experience at a young age. At the same time, they gain valuable insights into pursuing a degree in music and a future professional career. Their work with the ensemble regularly leads to concert performances both in Germany and abroad.

Members of the Masterclass Ensemble are:

• Daria Pereverzeva (22) is a versatile singer who blends jazz, pop, and funk. Her musical training began in Rostov-on-Don and took her through various stages to the Glen Buschmann Jazz Academy in Dortmund. She gained stage experience at an early age and has won awards at numerous competitions, including as a finalist in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and first prizes at the KinderKulturTage. In 2025, she also received the BaJazzo Culture Prize. As a soloist with the GBJA Big Band, she has toured to destinations including Indonesia and the Czech Republic.

• Magdalena Düser (19) is a pianist with the GBJA Masterclass. In 2022, she was awarded first prize at the Jazzband Challenge of the Viersen Jazz Festival. In 2023, she received the BaJazzo Culture Prize and won first place in the domicil Promotion Prize. In 2026, she was awarded the Soloist Prize at the national “Jugend jazzt” festival. In addition to her work with the Masterclass Ensemble, she is a member of the Dortmund-based all-girls band Catfish and the Soest-based group Bebop Brew. She is also involved in curating the FLINTA* Session at domicil Dortmund.

• Johannes Otto (18) is a double bassist and electric bassist. He began taking double bass lessons at the age of five at the Viersen Music School. He has received numerous awards both as a soloist and as an ensemble musician. His most recent achievements include first prize in the 2024 solo competition and the BaJazzo Culture Prize, which he received in 2023 as part of the Glen Buschmann Jazz Academy masterclass.

• Florian Gasse (17) is an up-and-coming drummer from Soest. He received his first drum set at the age of three and began taking lessons at the Soest Music School at age five. Since the age of twelve, he has devoted himself intensively to jazz and has played in numerous big bands and smaller ensembles, including the East West European Jazz Orchestra, the UniJazzity Big Band, the Combo Bebop Brew, and the Bojan Cvetković Trio. Concert engagements have taken him throughout Germany and to other European countries. He has also participated in various jazz and music workshops, including the Heek Jazz Academy, the Summer Jazz Academy Novi Sad, and the JJO Challenger Camp.

Chicago, Texas & avant-garde blues in the vein of Albert Collins, Freddie King, Luther Allison, Buddy Guy and Frank Zappa.

Four seasoned musicians celebrate the blues in all its many facets. Here, the rolling, stomping Chicago sound meets the earthy, rough-and-ready Texas blues. Added to this is the avant-garde influence of Frank Zappa. This wild mix defines Dogma’n’s characteristically fresh sound. The Weimar-Gotha Project, founded by Michael Rötsch – who serves as singer and guitarist – is rounded off by Robert Boddin on bass, Andreas Saul on guitar and blues harp, and the young drummer Marius Baum, who shares this role with Lin Dittmann. The musicians are also involved in other projects such as Bayon, Keimzeit and gothacoustic.