ESSENER JAZZ TAGE ’61.

Description

Grugahalle, Essen April 1961 concert poster (A0) (Michel+Kieser)


Large vintage original first printing concert poster advertising  the 1961 Essener Jazz Tage which took place at the Grugahalle in Essen [Germany] on 14th & 15th April, 1961, presented by Ralf Schulte-Bahrenberg. The first day of the two-day festival was headlined by the Thelonious Monk Quartet, at the time featuring tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, bassist John Orr, and drummer Frankie Dunlop. Also performing on the opening day were the Hans Koller Brass Band; Rita Reys with the Pim Jacobs Trio; the Kenny Clarke—Francy Boland Big Band featuring trombonist Jay Jay Johnson; and the Newport Dixieland All Stars featuring Riby Braff, Pee Wee Russell, Vic Dickenson, George Wein, Jimmy Wood, and Buzzy Drooten. Day two featured the Johnny Dankworth Orchestra; the Kenny Clarke Trio; the Bud Powell Trio; the Art Taylor—Jackie McLean Quartet with Jay Jay Johnson; Roland Kirk; and the Buck Clayton All Stars featuring Emmett Berry, Dickie Wells, Earl Warren, Buddy Tate, Sir Charles Thompson, Gene Ramey, Oliver Jackson, and Jimmy Witherspoon. The festival ran for three consecutive years. It was the brainchild of German impresario and art dealer Ralf Schulte-Bahrenberg (1934—2010) and jazz critic Joachim-Ernst Berendt (1922—2000). Centered at the newly opened Grugahalle in Essen, the Jazz Tage was one of the first major German jazz festivals of the post-war period. The festival ended in 1961 due to conflicts with Norman Granz. Instead Schulte-Bahrenberg and Berendt went on to found the Berliner Jazz Tage with George Wein in 1964. The poster features artwork by noted graphic duo Hans Michel and Günther Kieser, with their imprint to the center of the left side border.

The poster measures 83.1 x 118.1 cm and is beautifully printed in red and black inks on thin, uncoated paper stock. Printer’s imprint (P. R. Wilk,  Frankfurt) to the lower left side border. There is a faint vertical crease line running down the middle and a few tiny rips to the upper right side border, else in remarkably near excellent unfolded condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the poster available on request.