Saxophone
There are not many jazz musicians who master their instrument as virtuosically as Jakob Manz, and whose playing sounds so unpretentious, clear, song-oriented and soulful at the same time: ‘Jazz in ecstasy, an exceptional talent,’ was the recent verdict of ZDF heute journal.
Accepted as a junior student at the Stuttgart University of Music at the age of 15, Manz received numerous awards while still a teenager. At 19, he released his debut album ‘Natural Energy’ on the renowned jazz label ACT with his band The Jakob Manz Project. This was followed by euphoric reactions from the media and audience, the Jazz Prize of the State of Baden-Württemberg, and sold-out concerts. In the 2025/2026 season, Manz will be the youngest artist in residence ever at the Alte Oper Frankfurt.
Jakob Manz is an exceptional talent in many ways: on his main instrument, the saxophone, he captivates audiences with his breathtaking virtuosity. Much of the appeal of Manz's playing comes from his inexhaustible melodic richness, which continues seamlessly from the composed themes into his ecstatic improvisations. And then there is that sound: clear and present in tone, yet rich in nuance and warmth. A great art, especially on the alto saxophone. Added to this is Jakob Manz's extraordinary skill on the flute. There are videos showing Manz at the age of nine performing breakneck improvisations on this instrument, which is not exactly typical for jazz. And to this day, it is especially the flute passages that regularly cause pure amazement at his concerts.
All this leads to Jakob Manz, who is barely in his mid-20s, alread being one of the most sought-after jazz musicians in Germany. He plays with heroes such as Randy Brecker, Nils Landgren and Thomas Quasthoff, the big bands of WDR and SWR, and can regularly be seen on the country's biggest stages as a special guest in Sarah Connor's band.
Following the release of the rhythmically gripping album Groove Connection in 2023 with international genre greats such as Roberto Di Gioia, Per Lindvall, Tim Lefebvre and several others, The Answer (ACT) followed in 2024 with his regular line-up, The Jakob Manz Project.
‘It's important to me to play my instrument in such a way that it fills the room and at the same time reaches each individual listener directly and immediately,’ says Manz.
The fact that he succeeds in doing so is due, on the one hand, to his talent and the determination with which he works on his musical expression. And on the other hand, to his desire to inspire and move the audience with his music.
Jakob Manz's mission is to win people over to jazz: music for the audience, inspiring and moving. Concert experiences that make you want to get off your sofa at home and go to the concert hall.
jazz contemporary groove instrumental soul modern jazz
