ORF-E
German
1 x 44 min

The band “Shake Stew” is an internationally celebrated example of Austria’s young, vibrant jazz scene. Since 2016, the band has added elements of African traditions, rock, blues and soul to its music, producing a sizzling blend of styles well-suited to both concentrated listening and dancing. This film accompanies the band as it performs in Austria and internationally, exploring the approaches and motivations that drive the individual members and creating a comprehensive picture of both an unusual and captivating band and Austria’s young, hip jazz scene. Bass player, composer and bandleader Lukas Kranzelbinder formed Shake Stew in response to a commissioned composition for a jazz festival in Germany. The project was originally only planned for a year, but attracted so much interest nationally and internationally that he decided to continue. The band “Shake Stew” is an internationally celebrated example of Austria’s young, vibrant jazz scene. Since 2016, the band has added elements of African traditions, rock, blues and soul to its music, producing a sizzling blend of styles well-suited to both concentrated listening and dancing. This film accompanies the band as it performs in Austria and internationally, exploring the approaches and motivations that drive the individual members and creating a comprehensive picture of both an unusual and captivating band and Austria’s young, hip jazz scene. Bass player, composer and bandleader Lukas Kranzelbinder formed Shake Stew in response to a commissioned composition for a jazz festival in Germany. The project was originally only planned for a year, but attracted so much interest nationally and internationally that he decided to continue. Two drum kits, two basses, two saxophones and a trumpet – these instruments form the foundation of Shake Stew’s genre-defying music. Costumes, dance routines and video clips are an integral part of the band’s work, moving it into other spheres of art. The seven-piece group continually defies the widely held notion that jazz is an overly complex, inaccessible form of music. Shake Stew attracts an unexpectedly young audience, something it actively encourages by arranging concerts and sessions specifically for schoolchildren. The line-up within the band changes constantly, making Shake Stew a who’s-who of the Austrian jazz scene and a symbol of the scene’s vitality and diversity. Shake Stew is accessible but never conventional, excitingly new yet deeply rooted in established jazz traditions. Now, this film explores the forces that drive one of the most interesting jazz acts of the modern era. Shake Stew consistently shatters the stereotype that jazz is inaccessible or overly complex. Their innovative approach captivates audiences of all ages, especially younger listeners, whom they actively engage through concerts and workshops for students. With ever-changing lineups featuring rising stars of Austrian jazz, Shake Stew showcases the energy and diversity of a thriving scene. Accessible yet profound, boldly new yet rooted in tradition, Shake Stew’s music is a testament to the limitless possibilities of jazz.