“Fette Hupe” (German for „greasy / energetic / fat horn“)
If there is a jazz ensemble deserving this name, it would be them: The confraternity of Hanover’s most active modern jazz artists under the artistic direction of Jörn Marcussen-Wulff plays those extra fat arrangements, they honk their sublime solos and ooze with all the charm and coruscating humor you would expect from a band with such a name. Without a doubt, Fette Hupe has developed into being “one of the hardest working and most popular jazz groups in Northern Germany” (Sonic Jazz Magazine) since its foundation in June 2009. Peppered with top-notch Northern German jazz improvisers, the band represents innovative cross-genre projects integrating modern dance, theatre, poetry and visual arts, demonstrating again and again the versatile and exciting sound of modern bigband music.
Their fourth album Modern Tradition (BERTHOLD records) manifests the ensemble’s rank as being at the Avantgarde of the German free jazz and orchestral jazz scene. Firmly rooted in Hanovers Jazz Musicians’ Association, Fette Hupe stands for uncompromising, independent and fresh music made in Hanover and Lower Saxony.
The band already has a strong following, having played to considerable acclaim at its home venue Faust Warenannahme, around Germany and on international Jazzfestivals like Jazz Baltica or Jazzfest Delmenhorst. Its strong social commitment plus its exciting and lively repertoire makes this ensemble one to watch out for.
Besides performing music, further key aspects of Fette Hupe’s work include music education, jazz didactics and encouraging young talent in jazz. With a variety of programs such as interactive lecture-performances at schools, double feature concerts with young bands, workshops for amateur bands and also special programs for people usually unaffiliated with music, Fette Hupe actively participates in sustainable cultural development and in the strive for an open-minded and tolerant society.
