A new festival, spread over three evenings of triple bills, has just been announced. It will take place in Theater Regensburg, also known as the Theater am Bismarckplatz, and has a significant UK presence. It also brings the public premiere of a new septet project from Julia Hulsmann.

Festival Director is Anastasia Wolkenstein, whom we profiled on Internatioal Womens Day in 2022 (link below). She sums up the ethos as follows:

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“Sparks & Visions will present a diverse programme over three days in the aesthetically pleasing setting of a 170-year-old theatre. Nine bands, consisting of top-class and groundbreaking musicians from a total of 12 countries, will present a wealth of sound colours and styles, sparking a frenzy of impressions and emotions.”

FULL PROGRAMME for SPARKS AND VISIONS

Friday 27 January

19:00: Julia Hülsmann’s “Heaven Steps To Seven”
Julia Hülsmann — piano
Lisa Bassenge — vocal
Aline Frazao — vocal
Mia Knop Jacobsen — vocal
Stephan Braun — cello
Marc Muellbauer — bass
Eva Klesse — drums

20:30 : Linda Fredriksson
Linda Fredriksson — saxophones
Tuomo Prättälä — keys
Mikael Saastamoinen — bass
Olavi Louhivuori — drums

22:00 : Enemy
Kit Downes — piano, hammond B3
Frans Petter Eldh — bass
James Maddren — drums

Saturday 28 January :

19:00 Elina Duni & Rob Luft feat. Corrie Dick
Elina Duni – vocal
Rob Luft – Guitar
Corrie Dick – drums

20:30 : Santa Diver
Luca Kézdy — violin
David Szesztay — bass
David Szegő — drums

22:00 : Kamaal Williams
Henry Williams — vocal, keys
Samuel Laviso — drums
Marquinn Mason — saxophone

Sunday 29 January

18:00 Veronika Harcsa’s “Debussy Now!”
Veronika Harcsa — vocal
Márton Fenyvesi — guitar, electronics
Anastasia Razvaljaeva — harp

19:30: Benjamin Lackner Quartet
Benjamin Lackner — piano
Mathias Eick — trumpet
Jerôme Regard — bass
Manu Katché — drums

21:00: A Novel Of Anomaly
Andreas Schaerer — vocal
Luciano Biondini — accordeon
Kalle Kalima — guitar
Lucas Niggli – drums

LINKS: Sparks and Visions website

IWD interview with Anastasia Wolkenstein