Mustermann Jazzing1 is a saxophonist whose playing moves between lyricism, texture and sharp rhythmic instinct. In this conversation, we spoke about sound, practice, Frankfurt’s jazz scene and the strange balance between control and surrender in improvised music.
JazzingFfm: When you think about your own sound, what do you listen for first?
Mustermann Jazzing1: I listen for the center of the sound. Not just whether the note is correct, but whether it has weight, air and intention. The sound has to feel alive before the phrase can say anything.
JazzingFfm: How much of improvisation is freedom, and how much is structure?
Mustermann Jazzing1: For me, freedom only becomes interesting when there is something pushing against it. Harmony, rhythm, form, even the room itself — these things give the music resistance. Without resistance, freedom can become vague.
JazzingFfm: What makes Frankfurt interesting as a place for jazz?
Mustermann Jazzing1: It is not too big and not too small. You can meet people, hear what they are working on, and build something slowly. There are musicians coming from different backgrounds, and that creates a lot of possible sounds.