HfK Jazzclub: Oli Poppe Trio - TV therapy
The Bremen-based pianist and composer Oli Poppe has been one of the most distinctive voices on the North German jazz scene for many years. Together with Michael Gudenkauf on double bass and Ralf Jackowski on drums, he has formed a trio renowned for its high level of musical interaction, rhythmic finesse and a distinctly individual approach to melody and harmony.
In September 2026, the Oli Poppe Trio unveiled their new album ‘TV Therapy’, released as a vinyl LP on the Hamburg-based label Blue Pearls Music. The album features a special guest appearance by the actor, singer and voice actor Jens Wawrczeck, who lends his unmistakable voice to one of the tracks. ‘TV Therapy’ builds on Poppe’s earlier exploration of television music and takes the concept a step further: familiar melodies from the world of television are taken out of their original context and transposed into a contemporary jazz setting. This is by no means merely about nostalgia. Poppe takes supposedly familiar melodies seriously and explores them through the medium of jazz: harmonically sophisticated, rhythmically multi-layered and with great compositional freedom. Catchy tunes become starting points for improvisation; familiar motifs give rise to surprising musical landscapes. The music can be humorous and playful, yet always remains precise and musically sophisticated.
This is characteristic of the Oli Poppe Trio: whilst firmly rooted in the jazz piano tradition, their music simultaneously opens up towards classical European music, modern composition and pop. Rather than relying on superficial fusion effects or ostentatious virtuosity, they create an organic, breathing ensemble sound. The three musicians respond to one another instantly, developing the pieces together and allowing solos and ensemble playing to intertwine naturally.
This creates an improvisational flow that grooves and swings, whilst continually surprising the listener with unexpected melodic and rhythmic twists. The musicians’ technical mastery is ever-present, yet never pushes itself to the fore. Instead, the focus is on interaction, sound, emotion and the shared musical narrative.
With ‘TV Therapy’, the Oli Poppe Trio combines the familiar and the unheard-of in a unique way: television memories meet contemporary jazz, nostalgia meets improvisation, and seemingly simple melodies meet astonishing compositional depth. A concert for open ears – and for anyone who wants to experience how familiar sounds can give rise to something completely new.
Oliver Poppe (piano)
Michael Bohn (bass)
Ralf Jackowski (drums)
- - -
The "hfk jazzclub" is the venue for contemporary jazz in Bremen. Concerts and sessions with musicians from the university and local and national musicians take place every Tuesday of the semester at 8 pm in the basement vault of the University of Music. Passionate jamming takes place here, or student tryout programmes are presented. Semester projects by the Rehearsal Band and themed concert programmes are also on offer. In short: a think tank for jazz and a meeting place for Bremen's jazz scene.
Admission
Normal: 5 Euro
HfK students: 2 euros
Tickets are available at the box office from 7 pm
Important information
The HfK is barrier-free to a limited extent at the Dechanatstraße location.
The entire building is fully accessible via two lifts, in the west wing and in the middle wing, from the basement to the 2nd floor. Due to a height offset on the ground floor, the toilet for people with limited mobility can only be reached barrier-free from the entrance via the basement and the 1st floor.
Public disabled parking spaces are designated on the street immediately adjacent to the courtyard entrance. In addition, a disabled parking space can be allocated on the premises by the caretakers and the security service. The colleagues can be reached by telephone at +49 421 9595-1400.