Johanna Summer

The duo of pianist Johanna Summer and saxophonist Jakob Manz represents a rare stroke of luck for contemporary German jazz. Both are standout figures of their generation, blending supreme virtuosity with fearless creativity and unmistakable individuality. Rooted in jazz yet effortlessly blending influences from classical, pop, and beyond, they create music that is as surprising as it is enchanting. Their intimate duo format highlights a remarkable interplay, where bold spontaneity meets profound sensitivity. With each note, they weave a vibrant, deeply emotional dialogue that feels both free and masterfully composed. This album captures their unique chemistry—colorful, alive, and full of magic.

The duo of pianist Johanna Summer and saxophonist Jakob Manz represents a rare stroke of luck for contemporary German jazz. Both are standout figures of their generation, blending supreme virtuosity with fearless creativity and unmistakable individuality. Rooted in jazz yet effortlessly blending influences from classical, pop, and beyond, they create music that is as surprising as it is enchanting. Their intimate duo format highlights a remarkable interplay, where bold spontaneity meets profound sensitivity. With each note, they weave a vibrant, deeply emotional dialogue that feels both free and masterfully composed. This album captures their unique chemistry—colorful, alive, and full of magic.

Pianist Johanna Summer will release her new jazz EP entitled “Upright” on April 18, 2025. This work was created during the recording of Malakoff Kowalski's album “Songs With Words” and comprises a seven-part jazz suite that combines Summer's own compositions with jazz standards and an elegy by Richard Wagner. The first single “Teardrop” has already been released and gives a foretaste of the forthcoming album.

Pianist Johanna Summer will release her new jazz EP entitled “Upright” on April 18, 2025. This work was created during the recording of Malakoff Kowalski's album “Songs With Words” and comprises a seven-part jazz suite that combines Summer's own compositions with jazz standards and an elegy by Richard Wagner. The first single “Teardrop” has already been released and gives a foretaste of the forthcoming album.

The Art in Music – Siggi Loch has had the clear objective to foster creative interaction between jazz and visual art ever since he founded ACT in 1992. As a producer who is also an art collector, he loves to bring not only topflight musicians together around him, but visual artists as well. Works by Philip Taaffe, Gerhard Richter, Martin Noël, Martin Assig and many more don’t just adorn album covers, they are also on display at the ACT Gallery in Berlin.

In early 2020, listeners and the media were delighted, amazed, and taken completely by surprise by pianist Johanna Summer’s debut album “Schumann Kaleidoskop” (Schumann Kaleidoscope). Her improvisational approach to Robert Schumann's “Kinderszenen” also caught the admiration of colleagues from a wide range of musical backgrounds.Star classical pianist Igor Levit’s comments on the album were clear yet heartfelt: “Johanna Summer is an outstanding jazz pianist. She is so centred and at ease with herself, she handles material so confidently and freely…and yet she finds her own right note every time.” Piano poet Malakoff Kowalski found the album simply “scandalously good” and was “enraptured and amazed by an artist who fearlessly follows the music”. And jazz icon Joachim Kühn stated: “Johanna Summer's music is full of fantasy and without category. Coming from European classical music, with a wonderful touch, she creates something perfect and complete. Something her own”.

Auf „Resonanzen“ erweitert und vertieft Johanna Summer ihren ganz eigenen Ansatz des improvisatorischen Weiter-Erzählens der Musik klassischer Komponisten.

Pianist Johanna Summer draws a wide spectrum across seven pieces from Robert Schumann's "Album for the Youth" and "Kinderszenen". With classical playing culture and the freedom of jazz.