MARCUS RATKA – COMPOSER, MUSICIAN,
EDUCATOR AND MUSICOLOGIST

Revitalizing Austrian Jazz: The Significance of the Austrian Jazz Prize 2024Austria proudly reinstates the “Austrian Jazz Prize” in 2024, a milestone achievement…

The remarkable connection between Vienna’s rich musical heritage and Hollywood’s golden age of film is brought to life in the groundbreaking CD…

Released on ORIGIN Records, the album Bernstein in Vienna: Peter Erskine & the JAM Music Lab All-Stars marks a bold and innovative production by the…

Research Lab with Monika Herzig & John Edward Hasse at JAM MUSIC LAB University. This seminar at JAM MUSIC LAB University explores…

On October 1st 2022, a particularly important research initiative started at the JAM MUSIC LAB – Private University for Jazz and Popular…

JAM MUSIC LAB – Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Vienna and the Radio Symphony Orchestra are continuing their collaboration in…

I was honored to be invited to the festival “China Meets Austria”. This initiative, which brings Austrian and Chinese musicians together in…

The so-called “Südbahn Hotel” at Semmering, about 1 hour south of Vienna, is a magical place. Built in 1882, it was a…

Chuck Israels is one of the living legends in jazz history. Born on August 10, 1936 he is an American jazz composer, arranger, and bassist who is…

At the audition for the Ö1 jazz scholarship, Alan Bartus prevailed against strong competition and won a two-year master’s degree at the…

The focus of the Center for Artistic Research in Jazz and Popular Music Vienna (CAR) is on gaining knowledge in and through…

Jam Music Lab professor and pianist Danny Grissett’s master ensemble was thrilled to contribute to International Jazz day and the Herbie Hancock…

Congratulations to Christoph Cech,Austrian composer and professor for jazz arrangement and composition at the Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität in Linz. Cech won the international composition…

JAM student Madeleine Kaindl wins Ö1 scholarship for a two-year master study in Jazz at JAM MUSIC LAB Private University. Madeleine Kaindl,…

JAM MUSIC LAB University is honored to dedicate the first episode of this new Oral History series, hosted by Jeff Levenson, to…

JAM Music Lab University awards a scholarship to the winner of “THE VOICE” singing competition in autumn 2020 in Wiener Neustadt For the…

I thank Östig – Österreichische Interpretengesellschaft and the cultural association “Music in Progress” for their support in realizing this event. With Robert…

Friedel was able to convince the jury, which was made up of guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel, US producer Jeff Levenson and Ö1 jazz…

Unique opportunity for working musicians and music teachers. The JAM MUSIC LAB University plans blended learning studies for Bachelor and Master in…

Chinese students visited JAM to achieve one part of their curriculum in pedagogy and choir conducting. Highlight of the course is a…

Supporting the Michael Brecker Saxophone Competition July 2021 by JAM MUSIC LAB and Jazz Fest Wien. The study of jazz and pop – history, development,…

JAM MUSIC LAB students are having an exclusive glimpse on the backstage-process of the “Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra” led by the grandmaster himself…

Our chinese master-students are participating in the Masterclass “Choir – Conducting” lead by Prof. Gerald Wirth at the institution of Wiener Sängerknaben.…

The 1st International Artistic Jazz Research Symposium from 6 to 7 October 2019 at JAM Music Lab Private University for Jazz and…

For its third year running the Austrian radio station, Ö1, will be awarding a jazz scholarship as part of its talent exchange initiative.  read…

Duke Ellington: Genius Beyond Category A presentation by John Edward Hasse – writer, speaker, and Curator Emeritus of American Music at the…

It was my big pleasure and honor to be part of this wonderful event in memory of the great Michael Brecker at…

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Artistic research is an emerging branch of research in the arts, which operates in and through artistic practices. Jazz researchers have emphasized the need…

The Hotel Imperial Vienna is one of the most distinguished 5 star Vienna hotels. Built as a town residence for royalty in…

Full article: https://www.jammusiclab.com/de/news/lukas-aichinger-gewinnt-zweites-oe1-jazzstipendium

JAM MUSIC LAB Private University is very happy to welcome saxophonist, composer, music educator and three time Grammy Award Winner Brandford Marsalis.  Full…

It was my big pleasure and honour to be part of the Austrian delegation for culture and science and visited the Albert…

JAM Music Lab was represented by US-partner Jeffrey Levenson, the JAM MUSIC LAB All Star Band with Thomas Gansch, Bertl Mayer and the fabulous students of…

Jeffrey Levenson and myself represented Jam Music Lab at one of the worldwide biggest jazz summits. Full article: https://www.jammusiclab.com/news/jazz-congress-2019-lincoln-center

For its second year running the Austrian radio station, Ö1, will be awarding a jazz scholarship as part of its talent exchange…

Again it was my big pleasure and honor to be part of the delegation for culture and science. Full article: https://www.jammusiclab.com/news/austrian-federal-president-van-der-bellen-official-visit-serbian-capital-belgrad

Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen is on an official visit to the Estonian capital Tallinn. I am part of the Austrian…

It is my big pleasure to be invited to the Ö1 Jazz night and to present my music.  Full article: https://www.jammusiclab.com/news/o1-jazz-night-jam-music-lab-rector-marcus-ratka

Full article: https://www.jammusiclab.com/news/gewinner-des-o1-jazzstipendiums-ist-tenorsaxofonist-robert-unterkofler

The prize-winning work „Simplexity“ will be premiered on June 7th, 2018 in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein.  Full article: https://www.jammusiclab.com/news/john-beasley-wins-spheres-genius-composition-competition-jam-music-lab-and-radio-symphony

Many thanks to Jeffrey Levenson who invited Ulli Sych, head of the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, and myself to this inspiring…

Born in 1939, James Burton was shaping the sounds of Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues and Country Music. He played with…

Dr. Andreas Felber, head of the jazz department of the Austrian radio station Ö1 and myself created the idea of this new…

Science in Vienna is large and diverse: 215.000 students and researchers (= 12.5% of pop.) at 20 public and private universities plus research institutes,…

I am very happy to host a monthly radio show from now on. The Jam Music Lab Radio Sessions is broadcasted every…

Monika Herzig is a German-born jazz pianist, composer and musicologist. She presents and talks about her new book. Full article: https://www.jammusiclab.com/news/monika-herzig-experiencing-chick-corea

In May 2017, Larry Appelbaum, American jazz scholar, critic, broadcaster and Senior Music Specialist at the Library of Congress, and myself met…

Bill Dobbins, professor of jazz studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester will talk about the music of Thelonious Monk. The…

Chameleon Changes plays two concerts at JAZZLAND in Vienna on January 6th and 7th 2017. The one and only Bertl Mayer playing…

A jazz composition competition by JAM MUSIC LABin cooperation with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. I’m very glad to be able to…

Sighardt Donabaum’s winery in Spitz an der Donau is not just a fabulous place for enjoying great wines in one of Austria’s…

Chameleon Changes’ record company QUINTON celebrates its 15th anniversary. With: Chameleon ChangesWhen: September 30th, 2016Where: Porgy and Bess, ViennaFounded in 2001, the Austrian…

It was an absolute pleasure to host Larry Appelbaum at JAM MUSIC LAB and the Jewish Museum Vienna. At JAM MUSIC LAB…

Line up: Bertl Mayer (chrom. harp), Herwig Gradischnig (reeds), Daniel Nösig (trp.), Robert Bachner (trb.), Oliver Kent (p.), Hans Strasser (b.), Mario Gonzi…

THE CHAMELEON’S UNIVERSE ON A NEW CD Just by walking, you’ll find new ways!  Take the unknown path and participate in contrasts…

At the Institute of Musicology, Vienna, I was part of a several year long ongoing research seminar on musical hermeneutics, which was…

Tuesday, 31.05.2016Start: 13.00Venue: Spielraum / Gasometer B, Guglgasse 8 Renowned international trumpeter Rex Richardson is a Yamaha Performing Artist and a veteran…

At the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna I’m currently working on a PhD thesis titled “Composition in Jazz“. AbstractComposition in…