A'Jazz Jam #11 - Furtner

The Alexander Wittges Trio, founded in 2025, captivates with soulful and dynamic interpretations of jazz standards as well as original compositions by Alexander Wittges. The band brings together three talented musicians who share their passion for jazz and create a unique musical atmosphere together. With their diverse repertoire and impressive stage presence, they are now taking off. Their performances are characterized by heartfelt playing, creative improvisations, and a deep musical connection. The trio invites the audience to dive into the world of jazz and experience unforgettable musical moments.

Alexander Wittges (Piano)

Feat.

Rafael de Sousa (Bass)

Stefan Noelle (Drums)

"A jazz jam session is an open, collaborative performance by jazz musicians, where they improvise and play spontaneously, often without prior agreement or set arrangements. It is an opportunity for musicians to showcase their skills, try out new ideas, and exchange with other musicians."

The schedule is planned as follows. At 8 PM, the opener band will kick off the evening with some jazz standards and original compositions, creating the first jazz vibes at Furtner. From 8:45 PM, the session leader will collect suggestions for songs & musician groups, which will then perform on stage. Previous stage experience is necessary to participate in this JAM session, as it is not a practice session.

For those who want to prepare on their instrument, here are a few songs that are regularly "called" by the participants:

•⁠ ⁠Blue Bossa

•⁠ ⁠I’ll close my eyes

•⁠ ⁠Almost like being in Love

•⁠ ⁠Misty

•⁠ ⁠Blues in F

•⁠ ⁠...

and similar songs that can be found in the Jazz Real Book. Make it Swing!

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About the musicians

Alexander Wittges, Piano

Alexander Wittges is a young pianist of the Bavarian jazz scene, performing as a soloist, with his Alexander Wittges Trio, and as the host of the A’Jazz JAM at the historic Furtner Bräu in Freising. In 2025, he was awarded two scholarships from IG Jazz Burghausen and won second prize as a soloist (piano) at the “Jugend jazzt Bayern” competition. He continues to refine his musical style through collaborations with leading figures of the Bavarian jazz community — including appearances at the renowned B’Jazz JAM in Burghausen — as well as in masterclasses with Tizian Jost and Emmet Cohen (online).

https://www.instagram.com/alexanderwittges/

Rafael de Sousa, Bass

Rafael De Sousa discovered music at the age of nine through his father and gained initial experience in Catholic church music. Just a year later, he found his instrument with the electric bass – a passion that continues to shape him today. Despite his constant curiosity for the entire musical spectrum, the bass has always remained at the center of his artistic work.

In 2015, he began his studies of electric bass at the music school in Brasília, where he studied with professors Fernando Nantra, Rodrigo Salgado, and Oswaldo Amorim, graduating in 2019. Since 2013, Rafael has been active as a professional musician and has a remarkably versatile stylistic repertoire – ranging from jazz and MPB to pop/rock and gospel, as well as instrumental music and ballroom music.

Throughout his career, he worked with renowned artists such as Branford Marsalis (USA), Seu Jorge, Margareth Menezes, Orlando Morais, Ellen Oléria, Maíra Freitas, Salomão Soares, Janis Steprans (Canada), and many others.

In 2019, Rafael released his debut album Embryo – a tribute to his earliest musical influences: the ballad. The six-part work was created together with Caio Antunes (electric guitar) and Caio Fonseca (drums). His latest release Groovaholic and other singles are available on all major streaming platforms.

In the Alexander Wittges Trio, Rafael brings his deep roots in Brazilian music culture, his jazz expertise, and his distinctive groove.

https://www.rafaeldesousamusic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/stories/rafaeldesousamusic/

Stefan Noelle, Drums

Stefan Noelle from Munich is one of the most versatile musicians in the Munich scene. For decades, he has been performing as a drummer and percussionist in various formations on stages across the country. He is known for collaborations with jazz colleagues such as Mulo Francel or Tom Reinbrecht, for soundtracks to Rosenmüller films, or for crossover projects like the band of Egyptian violinist Ahmed Mounib and the Unterbiberger Hofmusik. With curiosity, he also turned to oriental percussion. Since 2013, he has been the host of the successful neighborhood jazz series "Be My Guest" at the Munich Ackermannbogen. In 2005, he received a nomination for the German Film Award for the film music of "From the Depths of Space," and in 2023, he was awarded the Music Promotion Prize of the City of Munich.

With his excellent performance and infectious enthusiasm, he kicks off Jazz Jam sessions, for example at the Jazz Club Unterfahrt in Munich or at the B’Jazz Jam in Burghausen..

His versatility, his deep swing, and his decades of experience in the Munich jazz scene make him a valuable addition to the trio.

https://www.stefan-noelle.de/

https://www.instagram.com/stefan_noelle/