How do we deal with divergent, conflicting attitudes and opinions in times of increasing societal polarization? And how do jazz and improvised music relate to this? What contribution does this music make in practice and theory to the discourse on the politicization of art and culture—historically and currently? This event series by the Jazz Institute explores this question, engaging with the theme of jazz and democracy through a series of exhibitions, lectures, lecture performances, musician conversations, and concerts between January and June 2026.

Contrabassist and composer Robert Lucaciu defragments his own (cis-)male self-understanding in his project "Fallen Crooner" and invites musicians Laura Totenhagen, Pascal Klewer, Shannon Barnett, Sofía Salvo, and Marius Wankel to engage in a pleasurable discourse about gender roles. In a montage of Lucaciu's original compositions, well-known songs, and text sequences by various authors. Each musician is free to celebrate their own diversity and savor all the nuances their instrument offers.

Before the concert, Bettina Bohle, director of the Jazz Institute, speaks with the musicians about "democratic" music. Robert Lucaciu is recipient of the Kathrin Prize 2023 and developed the current program of Fallen Crooner with the musicians largely during a residency in Darmstadt in May 2023.