Castle Jazz takes place July 21, 22 in Landstuhl

by Willi Ningelgen
Unnerhaus Culture Club

The European “Burg Jazz” Music Festival Landstuhl will again fascinate with high quality world musicians performing big band jazz, rock, blues, Dixieland and pop music July 21 and 22. The Unnerhaus Culture Club will present its 20th anniversary jazz festival inside the atmospheric courtyard of Nanstein Castle. The club expects visitors from the KMC, Germany and Europe to find their way to Nanstein Castle.
The festival will kick-off at 7 p.m. July 21. The first top act will be friends from France, the New Orleans Preachers presenting classic New Orleans and Dixieland jazz and walking in their famous New Orleans Marching Parade.

The Swingin’ Fireballs will be the second top act on July 21 during Castle Jazz at Nanstein Castle in Landstuhl. — courtesy photo

They will be followed by the second top act of the evening, The Swingin’ Fireballs. This small big band will play different jazz, Latin and boogie sets. They successfully tour through Europe since 1999 and established a big fan community. Billy May, the music director of Frank Sinatra listened to them during their European tour already in 2003 and said, “You were able to get a rich, full ensemble sound out of your group, it sounds great, keep on grooving.”

During Castle Jazz in Landstuhl, the New Orleans Preachers present New Orleans and Dixieland jazz at 7 p.m. July 21. — courtesy photo

The first festival day will come to a close around midnight with The New Orleans Preachers jamming in the Castle Battery Tower.
On July 22, Castle Jazz will start at 7 p.m. The first top act will be the local Unnerhaus Jazzband, one of the most famous traditional jazz bands in Germany. They are not only the keepers of the jazz tradition in this region, they succeed in reflecting nearly 100 years of classic jazz history with focus on Dixieland and New Orleans Jazz. Their repertoire includes the masterpieces of “black” jazz from the 1920s to the 1950s, featuring Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, including their own, modern compositions with local slang and fun songs.

Les Haricots, one of the most famous jazz ensembles in France, perform at 9 p.m. July 22 during Castle Jazz in Landstuhl. — courtesy photo

They will be followed by the second top act of Saturday evening, the group Les Haricots, one the most famous jazz ensembles from France, that is combining jazz, comedy and acrobatics, since the 1940s. Their music show is an adventure for ears and eyes and they celebrated their talent as starting band for the Louis Armstrong Orchestra, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
The second day will come to a close with an aftershow party presented by Smitty, Corinna and Friends in the Castle Battery Tower around midnight playing a variety of blues, rock and soul music.

Castle Jazz ends with an after-show party where Smitty, Corinna & Friends will perform at midnight July 22. — courtesy photo

Tickets will be available at the entrance to the Nanstein Castle in Landstuhl. However, cheaper advance tickets will be available at the bookstore Boehm at the Landstuhl train station, at 06371-2742 or through www.unnerhaus-kulturclub.de/burgjazz. Advance tickets cost €20, tickets at the door are €24. Children under 12 years have free entrance. The Unnerhaus Culture Club is a non-profit organization and proceeds are only used for cultural events.
Car parking is in easy walking distance to the castle. Drinks and food will be provided at reasonable prices.