26. JAZZ at the LAKE | The Jakob Manz Project

"The Answer" Jakob Manz – sax | Hannes Stollsteimer - piano | Frieder Klein - bass | Paul Albrecht - drums Jakob Manz is considered a prodigy. At just 15 years old, he began studying Jazz & Pop at the Stuttgart University of Music. A year later, he was accepted into the Federal Jazz Orchestra, with which he performed in venues such as the Elbphilharmonie and in various countries. In 2017, the saxophonist founded his band "The Jakob Manz Project," with which he won the 1st prize at the Future Sounds 2018 of the Leverkusen Jazz Days just a year later, at the age of 17. More accolades followed. Today, "The Jakob Manz Project," with their fresh and engaging sound, is one of the most successful bands in young German jazz, performing at major festivals such as Jazz Baltica, Elbjazz, and others. Their debut album "Natural Energy" was released in April 2020 by the renowned label ACT. Concerts at international festivals followed, and another ACT album is set to release in 2024. The band plays a very groovy jazz, balancing tradition and modernity, enriched with numerous influences from funk, soul, pop, film music, hip-hop, rock, and world music. The individuality of the band members is reflected in their diverse original compositions, each contributing their own impulses to the music. Jakob Manz was awarded the Baden-Württemberg State Jazz Prize in 2022 – at the age of 21. In 2023, he performed at JAZZ am SEE for the first time. The audience celebrated him with standing ovations. Those who were there will surely not forget that evening anytime soon. A true prodigy.