If there were only one word to describe this mind-boggling and sweat-inducing soundscape, it would be: urgent. This music leaves no room for excuses. Its uncompromising nature has something compelling about it, despite all its mystery. It poses questions about the moment, the present, the self, the collective. Ulrich Stock, Die ZEIT

It is virtually impossible to adequately and comprehensively honor urban planning and architecture theorist, composer, and musician Christopher Dell in a short editorial, as his work in all of the fields he has been involved in is too complex. But since LOFT has always seen itself as a research station, and he has therefore been a most welcome guest and inspiring discussion partner with his projects for many years, we would like to briefly highlight this unique musician here.

He has already received numerous awards for his extraordinary work. On October 29, 2025, exactly six weeks after his 60th birthday, he will (finally) be awarded the SWR Jazz Prize—the “oldest” of the German jazz prizes. He will also be presenting the formations DRA and DLW, with which he will be performing his award-winning concert in Ludwigshafen, at the LOFT this year at four-week intervals. We will be able to experience Christopher Dell here in a total of four concerts until the end of the year—in June, he developed revisions XI and XII of his work cycle Das Arbeitende Konzert (The Working Concert) at the LOFT, making him one of the most prominent musicians of the LOFT concerts in 2025.

Of course, he has long been one of the outstanding personalities of the German jazz scene. However, his thinking and actions cannot be pigeonholed, as the results of his musical and scientific work are too multifaceted. And yet, despite all his theoretical foundations, the thoroughbred musician is always present in his work. This is precisely why his concerts are such special experiences; you never leave them feeling indifferent. Equally impressive is the clarity and intelligence of his statements in interviews and articles, whether in Die Zeit, the Süddeutsche Zeitung, or other publications.

This short editorial on his 60th birthday can therefore only invite readers to engage with this exceptional artist—it is worthwhile in every respect.

It is always a great pleasure and inspiration for us to welcome Christopher Dell and his extraordinary and exciting projects.

---

Christopher Dells LOFT concerts coming up in 2025:


Donnerstag, 16. Oktober 2025:
Blumer – Dell – Geisser – Morgenthaler

Dienstag, 28. Oktober 2025:
DRA: Dell Ramond Astor

Mittwoch, 26. & Donnerstag, 27. November 2025: DLW: Dell Lillinger Westergaard