Curators
Joachim Hainzl, programme
Joachim Hainzl (XENOS – Association for the promotion of sociocultural diversity), social education worker and historian. For the last two years he has been concerned with numerous research, documentation and mediation projects, dealing with the diversity and social history of Graz focusing the former suburban fringe of the Mur. Additionally he implemented projects dealing with utilization of public space, human rights, freedom of faith, garbology and the cultural history of smoking. Occasional artistic intervention in public space, running projects: “Uncurated”, “Wo die Götter zu Haus sind” (exhibition about religious diversity in Graz at the Grazmuseum from September 18th 2013).
Franziska Hatz, programme
Raised in the South-East of Styria, next to the Slovenian border, Franziska Hatz was given lessons in classical accordeon as a child. As a singer, leader and accordeonist of the band “Das Grossmütterchen Hatz Salon Orkestar” she has performed at numerous international festivals such as the International Jazz festival Cairo, Jewish-Festival-WARSCHAU POLAND, Nottinghamfestival UK, opening of the Salzburger Festspiele, city festival Vienna, city festival Graz, International Accordeon Festival Vienna and many more. In addition she is touring with teh trio “KARAT” and the programme “Frauengold”. Humorously, curious Hatz is always on the look for new, innovative music!
Robert Kals, production management
For 27 years Robert Kals has been working in the field of project management and exhibition conception while for many years he has worked for the festival “steirischer herbst” and “Diagonale – Austrian film festival”. From 2002 til’ 2004 he was liable for the technical direction of “Graz 2003 cultural capital of Europe”. Together with four soled trades he founded the KOOP Live-Marketing agency in 2000, which now is THE live-marketing agency in Austria with three facilities in Vienna, Graz and Linz.
Otmar Klammer, programme
Born 1957 in Lienz, living in Graz since 1975.
Journalist, lector, promoter, producer. Co-founder / curator of jazz festivals, organiser of the “Austrian Soundcheck” in New York. Founder and carrier of the jazz club “STOCKWERKJAZZ” (since 1994).
Expert for Karl Valentin.
For decades Otmar Klammer has enriched the jazz landscape of Graz with diverse events and promotes the music scene in Graz with his profound expertise.
Gerhard Kosel, programme
Born in Bleiburg, Gerhard Kosel has been the CEO of gamsbART since 1990. From the Austrian Soundcheck to the Jazzkartell Graz, from jazz concerts at the Generalihof to the Murszene: world music at the Mariahilferplatz, Kosel has enabled and organised numerous events. As a coordinator at the cut surface and successful promoter he presents band projects relevant to the scene. Many startups participated by Gerhard Kosel such as Beefolk, Trio De Janeiro or Alf Poier gained success.
Oliver Mally, programme
The autodidact has been influenced by legends such as Albert King, Buddy Guy or John Lee Hooker. He performs mostly his own compositions, but a presentable selection of the history of blues can also be found in his repertoire and give an impression of his stylistic diversity. In 1990 he formed his band “Sir Oliver Mally’s Blues Distillery” and played with artists like Louisiana Red, Steve James and Sugar Blue. The album “A Hard Night’s Day” was awarded “Blues Album of the Year 2007” by the German magazine Blues News Germany. In 2011 he curated the festival “Blues and more …” at the Kasematten on the Schlossberg in Graz.
Günther Meinhart, programme
By the end of the 70ies he founded the internationally renowned Studio Percussion Graz, in 1981 the Orchesterforum. Between 1985 and 87 he was director of the department of music at the Forum Stadtpark and since 1995 he teaches at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. His musical collaborations range from the Austrian Art Ensemble, to the EAV, to Christian and Wolfgang Muthspiel. For the ORF, the Bühnen Graz and the Landestheater Salzburg he has also worked as a composer.
Born in Wolfsberg/Kärnten.
1988 he graduated his studies for classic and jazz trombone as well as instrumental pedagogics. Since 1988 he has been holding lectures at the univeristy for music and performing arts in Graz at the jazz department and since 1996 he has been working at the institute for jazz research. Senior scientist (teaching pratice, instrumental practice jazz trombone, trombone IGP). Head of the Ulrich von Liechtenstein music and art school in Judenburg. Together with Sibylle Rarej he is responsible for the programme of the cultural festival “Judenburger Sommer”.
As a trombonist he played with numerous ensembles and big bands such as the Austrian Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Big Band Graz, City Hall Jazz Band, Big Band Süd, U.N.I. Jazz Band and many more.
Vesna Petkovic, Programme
Serbian-born Petkovic is a vocalist specialised in jazz, contemporary jazz and world music. In 2003 she finished her jazz vocal studies and has been awarded with the “Würdigungspreis für herausragende künstlerische Leistungen” an official medal for exceptional artistic accomplishments by the Austrian secretary of culture. The strength of her compositions is the connection of traditional music with contemporary jazz, to be heard on her debut album “A New One”. Petkovic’ voice is known from the opera in Graz and the Schauspielhaus, the “Sandy Lopicic Orkestar” and “Shantel & Bukovina Club”. She is the face of the Balkans and gypsy jazz scene in Graz.
Sibylle Rarej, programme
Born in Judenburg/Styria. Since 1993 she has been the head of the cultural and event bureau. Additionally she was the head of the event center Judenburg. Together with Wolfgang Messner she has been responsible for the programme of the cultural festival “Judenburger Sommer” since 2005.
Natalie Resch, programme
Resch finished her studies of German language and literature and her masters degree in arts and law at the Karl Franzens University in Graz. During her studies she also spent some time in Zagreb. She runs the department for foreigners and since 2010 she works as a member of jury on international film festivals in the name of the parish Graz Seckau. During the same year Natalie Resch accompanied Michael Maier’s exhibition “Rechtsbilder – Bilder von Recht und Gerechtigkeit” organised by CastYourArt in cooperation with the Karl Franzens University Graz. She also works as a project manager for the Afro-Asian Institute on projects like “Megacities”.
Alexandra Riewe, programme
Riewe is an art historian and ethnologist and coordinates art exhibitions in the Neue Galerie at the Landesmuseum Joanneum and at the festival steirischer herbst. She curated cultural projects and publications in the course of the regionale08 with the label BUERO BUOL RIEWE. Currently she is working on a publication titled “Uncurated – Unbefugte Interventionen im Grazer Stadtraum” together with Joachim Hainzl from Xenos for the department of art in public spaces.
Horst‐Michael Schaffer, programme
After studying classical singing at the conservatory in Graz, he took up studying jazz trumpet at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, where he now gives lectures since 2003. He brought his skills to perfection in London and Los Angeles, where he rose to become one of the most renowned jazz trumpeters. In 2001 he became the director of programming for the concert series “Jazz in der Oper”. In the jazz genre Schaffer works predominantly with the Jazz Big Band Graz, the Vienna Concert Jazz Band, Ostinato, Ed Partyka and Georg Breinschmid. As a producer in the field of pop and club music he works with artists like Nick Cave.
Peter Schlacher, programme coordination, production management
Petere Schlacher studied „professional bass“ at the Musicians Institue in Los Angeles; graduated as „best international student“. For 10 years he has promoted concerts at the Generalmusikdirektion, for 6 years working project orientated for KOOP Live-Marketing.