07:00 pm
Nils Kugelmann Bass
Erik Konertz Trombone
Karthik Mani Percussion, ghatam, konnakol
Bhumika L. Madhusudan Vocals, konnakol
S. Janardhan Indian violin
In this concert, three up-and-coming jazz virtuosos from Germany collaborate with three Indian musicians, presenting a rich blend of India’s classical and folk traditions. At the same time, the project is intended as a tribute to the collaboration between the singer and composer R.A. Ramamani – Karthik Mani’s mother – and the alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano in the 1980s. Their musical exchange is taken up by a new generation, which carries it forward with fresh inspiration.
In the first half, the different musical perspectives are presented individually: With atmospheric ragas expressed through song, fascinating rhythmic patterns, expressive South Indian violin and lively folk music, the Karthik Mani India Ensemble combines dynamic percussion and the rousing language of konnakol to create an energetic performance. In the German trio led by the young, exceptional alto saxophonist Jakob Manz, the improvisations reveal an inexhaustible wealth of melodies, nuanced and warm sounds, as well as groovy passages with free elements. In the second half of the concert, the six musicians come together and blend these diverse musical influences into a single concert.
Accepted as a junior student at the Stuttgart University of Music at the age of 15, Jakob Manz received numerous awards while still a teenager. At 19, he released his debut album Natural Energy on the renowned jazz label ACT with his band The Jakob Manz Project. This was followed by euphoric reactions from the media and audience, the Jazz Prize of the State of Baden-Württemberg, and sold-out concerts. In the 2025/2026 season, Manz is the youngest artist-in-residence ever at the Alte Oper Frankfurt. Jakob Manz is an exceptional talent in many ways: on his main instrument, the saxophone, he captivates audiences with his breathtaking virtuosity. Much of the appeal of Manz' playing comes from his inexhaustible melodic richness, which continues seamlessly from the composed themes into his ecstatic improvisations, clear and present in tone, yet rich in nuance and warmth. All this leads to Jakob Manz, who is barely in his mid-20s, already being one of the most sought-after jazz musicians in Germany. He plays with luminaries such as Randy Brecker, Nils Landgren and Thomas Quasthoff, the big bands of WDR and SWR, and can regularly be heard on the country's leading stages as a special guest in Sarah Connor's band.
Nils Kugelmann (b. 1996 in Munich) discovered music early, starting on recorder before moving to piano, clarinet, and bass. He wrote his first clarinet piece at 11, a big band composition at 15, and orchestral works and two musicals by 18 – premiered under his baton at venues including Munich’s Herkulessaal, Nymphenburg Palace and Gasteig. After graduating, he studied jazz double bass at the Munich Academy of Music and Theatre with Henning Sieverts, completing his master’s degree in 2022. Already active as a sideman, he performed with the Benny Golson Quartet, Trio Elf, the Jazzrausch Bigband, Johannes Enders, and others. Since 2022, he has focused on his own project, the Nils Kugelmann Trio, performing widely across Germany and abroad. Their debut album Stormy Beauty was nominated for the German Record Critics’ Award. He also plays contralto clarinet in the duo Shuteen Erdenebaatar & Nils Kugelmann and piano in Wolfgruber Kugelmann.
Erik Konertz studied jazz trombone in Bremen and Hamburg and was, at that time, a member and soloist with the Bundesjazzorchester. Even in his early years, he played with jazz greats such as Randy Brecker, John Clayton, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Nils Wogram and many others. On a national level, Erik Konertz can regularly be heard as a permanent member or guest musician in countless big bands, such as the NDR Big Band, the Jazzkombinat Hamburg, the Samuel Restle Big Band and the Pascal Klewer Big Band. His solo project has attracted considerable attention, as has his work in smaller ensembles such as the Olesch:Konertz Duo, whose debut album New Places, released in September 2025 on nwog records, received accolades from specialist magazines, online media and radio stations. For many years, Erik Konertz has been an integral part of the North German musical and theatre scene, performing regularly at venues such as the Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg and the Freilichtspiele Tecklenburg. Erik Konertz is also a lecturer in jazz trombone, big band and ensemble at the University of Music, Drama and Media in Hanover, as well as a lecturer in jazz trombone at the Lübeck Music Academy.
Kartik Mani (b. 1980) is the son of T.A.S. Mani, the legendary mridangam player and founder and director of the famous Karnataka College of Percussion, and the singer, composer and teacher R.A. Ramamani. Karthik Mani himself was trained in classical Indian music. As a musician and artist, he is active mainly in the realm of instrumental and vocal percussion konnakol of Southern India, world percussion and drumming. An internationally renowned and sought-after musician, he has performed with many renowned artists, including Mory Kanté and the Grammy winners Shankar Mahadevan, Steward Copeland and Ricky Kej. Karthik Mani plays at the world’s leading jazz festivals, works regularly with various international bands and leads several percussion ensembles. He is a versatile musician and artist who is at home not only in the field of Carnatic music, jazz, rock and fusion, but also works with classical symphony orchestras and in the area of film, theatre and dance.
Bhumika L. Madhusudan (b. 2000 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India) has built an impressive career by the age of 25. Trained in classical Indian singing, she has performed in over 800 concerts, appearing on renowned stages in India and abroad, including in the USA. But it is not only on stage that Madhusudan has made a name for herself; she also gained recognition on Indian national television with her victory in the first series of the singing reality show Gaana Chandana. Furthermore, she regularly records songs for feature films and sings in more than ten languages. Among other honours, she was awarded the Prize for Outstanding Achievements by the Government of the Indian state of Karnataka in 2017.
S. Janardhan is a dedicated Carnatic classical violinist with 17 years of experience. He began
his violin training at the age of six and has since evolved into an accomplished performer, accompanist, and educator. Janardhan received his initial training from Vidushi Anuthama
Murali and currently continues his advanced studies under the esteemed Padma Shri A. Kanyakumari. An "A" graded artist at All India Radio and Doordarshan, Janardhan has performed at prestigious venues across India, USA, Singapore, Dubai and Malaysia. He regularly collaborates with eminent musicians as an accompanist and also performs solo violin concertos.