On the evening of May 3^rd, 2022, AmerikaHaus NRW, together with the Sister-City Committee (“Freundeskreis”) Cologne-Indianapolis, presented the 10^th anniversary Indiana Jazz Exchange concert. This year’s theme was “House of the Singing Winds”, and the concert again took place before a live audience at Altes Pfandhaus in Cologne. In addition, the event was streamed to a worldwide live audience. Coming all the way from Indiana, German-born pianist and composer Monika Herzig again brought together musicians from Germany and America and presented an exceptional anniversary concert.

We were honored to have opening remarks from Cologne’s Deputy Mayor Dr. Ralf Heinen and US Consul General Pauline A. Kao – the latter of who commented on the quintessentially American nature of jazz, its free-flowing style, diversity, and deep expression. The music was inspired by the works of the American impressionist painter T.C. Steele. Steele was an Indiana resident who spent many years studying in Germany before returning to Indiana and living at his home, which he called “House of the Singing Winds.” Each artwork was displayed behind the performers as they played. The works spanned the Atlantic, from a river view just outside Munich to a garden in Nashville, Indiana. Monika Herzig led on piano with Jamie Baum on flute, Peter Lehel on saxophone, Peter Kienle on guitar, André Nendza on double bass, and Mareike Wiening on drums.

The excitement in the air was palpable from the beginning of the concert through to the end. The concert was rounded out with not one but two encores, encouraged by multiple standing ovations. Herzig finished the evening with a solo performance of the tune “Back Home Again in Indiana.”

We would like to thank the musicians, our partners at Freundeskreis Indianapolis-Köln e.V., and the Altes Pfandhaus for delivering a more-than-worthy 10^th anniversary of the Indiana Jazz Exchange!

A recording of the concert can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/hiqSbr93gks