Jazz Mediation at Elbphilharmonie

Two Perspectives

Abstract

This practice-based contribution explores two approaches to jazz mediation linked to the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg: the Elbphilharmonie Jazz Academy and the Elbphilharmonie Education Seminar as part of the Dr. Langner Jazz Master programme at the Hamburg University of Music and Drama. Both initiatives connect artistic excellence with social and educational engagement, positioning jazz not merely as a musical genre but as a social practice grounded in improvisation and dialogue. The Jazz Academy creates a temporary collective space where emerging professional jazz musicians work intensively with renowned mentors to develop the participants’ original compositions and perform them in a public concert. In the Education Seminar, jazz students design and implement mediation workshops for diverse target groups, exploring jazz as a communicative and participatory art form. In summary, the text demonstrates how institutional engagement with formats that integrate artistic production and music mediation can support emerging jazz musicians in building sustainable careers.