MARCUS RATKA – COMPOSER, MUSICIAN,
EDUCATOR AND MUSICOLOGIST
Co-founder and president of JAM MUSIC LAB – Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Vienna.
How Jazz was Incorporated into European Culture
Research Lab with Monika Herzig & John Edward Hasse at JAM MUSIC LAB University. This seminar at JAM MUSIC LAB University explores…
Music and Medicine / Arts for Health: a new research institute at JAM MUSIC LAB University.
On October 1st 2022, a particularly important research initiative started at the JAM MUSIC LAB – Private University for Jazz and Popular…
Spheres of a Genius 2023. Composition Competition honoring Clara Bley
JAM MUSIC LAB – Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Vienna and the Radio Symphony Orchestra are continuing their collaboration in…
„China meets Austria“ Festival in Vienna
I was honored to be invited to the festival “China Meets Austria”. This initiative, which brings Austrian and Chinese musicians together in…
JAM MUSIC LAB becomes cooperation partner of the legendary hotel at Semmering.
The so-called “Südbahn Hotel” at Semmering, about 1 hour south of Vienna, is a magical place. Built in 1882, it was a…
Improvisation Workshop with Chuck Israels
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…
Pianist Alan Bartus wins Ö1 Jazz Scholarship 2022
At the audition for the Ö1 jazz scholarship, Alan Bartus prevailed against strong competition and won a two-year master’s degree at the…
Founding of the world´s first Center for Artistic Research in Jazz and Popular Music Vienna
The focus of the Center for Artistic Research in Jazz and Popular Music Vienna (CAR) is on gaining knowledge in and through…
International Jazz Day 2022, Education Program “Learning Bernstein” by JAM MUSIC LAB Ensemble and Danny Grissett.
Jam Music Lab professor and pianist Danny Grissett’s master ensemble was thrilled to contribute to International Jazz day and the Herbie Hancock…
Christoph Cech wins “Spheres of a Genius – Honoring Leonard Bernstein“
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…
Saxophonist and Singer Madelaine Kaindl wins Ö1 Jazz Scholarship 2021
JAM student Madeleine Kaindl wins Ö1 scholarship for a two-year master study in Jazz at JAM MUSIC LAB Private University. Madeleine Kaindl,…
Jeffrey Levenson on Michael Brecker feat. Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine, Joe Lovano
JAM MUSIC LAB University is honored to dedicate the first episode of this new Oral History series, hosted by Jeff Levenson, to…
“JAM THE VOICE 2020” – JAM Music Lab becomes partner of Austria’s great singing competition
JAM Music Lab University awards a scholarship to the winner of “THE VOICE” singing competition in autumn 2020 in Wiener Neustadt For the…
Expert talk and concert: “A Tribute to Charlie Parker and Michael Brecker” – Porgy & Bess & JAM Music Lab present Robert Unterköfler & Alex Hahn
I thank Östig – Österreichische Interpretengesellschaft and the cultural association “Music in Progress” for their support in realizing this event. With Robert…
German Violinist Constanze Friedel Wins Ö1 Jazz Scholarship 2020
Friedel was able to convince the jury, which was made up of guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel, US producer Jeff Levenson and Ö1 jazz…
DISTANT STUDIES FOR MUSIC at JAM MUSIC LAB University IN VIENNA!
Unique opportunity for working musicians and music teachers. The JAM MUSIC LAB University plans blended learning studies for Bachelor and Master in…
Recording Session with Johannes Vogel at Synchron Stage Vienna
Chinese students visited JAM to achieve one part of their curriculum in pedagogy and choir conducting. Highlight of the course is a…
Research on Michael Brecker feat. Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine, Joe Lovano & Jeff Levenson
Supporting the Michael Brecker Saxophone Competition July 2021 by JAM MUSIC LAB and Jazz Fest Wien. The study of jazz and pop – history, development,…
Backstage Field Trip for JAM MUSIC LAB: Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis at Wiener Konzerthaus
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…
Cooperation between JAM and The Vienna Boys´ Choir
Our chinese master-students are participating in the Masterclass “Choir – Conducting” lead by Prof. Gerald Wirth at the institution of Wiener Sängerknaben.…
1st. International Artistic Jazz Research Symposium (October 6-7, 2019)
The 1st International Artistic Jazz Research Symposium from 6 to 7 October 2019 at JAM Music Lab Private University for Jazz and…
Ö1 Awards Another Jazz Scholarship – Master’s of Arts in Music
For its third year running the Austrian radio station, Ö1, will be awarding a jazz scholarship as part of its talent exchange initiative. read…
John Hasse at JAM MUSIC LAB University
Duke Ellington: Genius Beyond Category A presentation by John Edward Hasse – writer, speaker, and Curator Emeritus of American Music at the…
The first International Michael Brecker Saxophone Competition
It was my big pleasure and honor to be part of this wonderful event in memory of the great Michael Brecker at…
1st International Artistic Jazz Research Symposium at JAM MUSIC LAB University
Artistic research is an emerging branch of research in the arts, which operates in and through artistic practices. Jazz researchers have emphasized the need…
JAM MUSIC LAB University – fundraising-matinee at the Imperial Vienna
The Hotel Imperial Vienna is one of the most distinguished 5 star Vienna hotels. Built as a town residence for royalty in…
Lukas Aichinger wins the 2nd Ö1 Jazz Scholarship
Full article: https://www.jammusiclab.com/de/news/lukas-aichinger-gewinnt-zweites-oe1-jazzstipendium
Branford Marsalis at JAM MUSIC LAB University
JAM MUSIC LAB Private University is very happy to welcome saxophonist, composer, music educator and three time Grammy Award Winner Brandford Marsalis. Full…
Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen and the delegation for culture and science visited Israel
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 University at the Vienna Science Ball 2019
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…
Jazz Congress 2019 at Lincoln Center
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
Ö1 Awards Another Jazz Scholarship
For its second year running the Austrian radio station, Ö1, will be awarding a jazz scholarship as part of its talent exchange…
Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen on an official visit to the Serbian capital Belgrad
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
Meeting Arvo Pärt in Estonia
Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen is on an official visit to the Estonian capital Tallinn. I am part of the Austrian…
Invitation to the Ö1 Jazz Night
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
Saxophon player Robert Unterköfler – Winner of the 1st Ö1 Jazz Scholarship
Full article: https://www.jammusiclab.com/news/gewinner-des-o1-jazzstipendiums-ist-tenorsaxofonist-robert-unterkofler
John Beasley wins „Spheres of a Genius“, a composition competition by JAM MUSIC LAB and Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna
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
Meeting Herbie Hancock at International Jazz Day in St. Petersburg
Many thanks to Jeffrey Levenson who invited Ulli Sych, head of the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, and myself to this inspiring…
Interview with guitar legend James Burton
Born in 1939, James Burton was shaping the sounds of Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues and Country Music. He played with…
Ö1 and JAM MUSIC LAB University are awarding a Jazz Scholarship
Dr. Andreas Felber, head of the jazz department of the Austrian radio station Ö1 and myself created the idea of this new…
Invitation to the Honorary Commitee of Vienna Ball of Science
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,…
JAM MUSIC LAB Radio Sessions – a new Show at Radio Superfly!
I am very happy to host a monthly radio show from now on. The Jam Music Lab Radio Sessions is broadcasted every…
Monika Herzig- Experiencing Chick Corea at JAM MUSIC LAB University
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
Interview with jazz historian Larry Appelbaum
In May 2017, Larry Appelbaum, American jazz scholar, critic, broadcaster and Senior Music Specialist at the Library of Congress, and myself met…
Lecture and Master Class with Bill Dobbins at JAM MUSIC LAB University
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 at Jazzland Vienna
Chameleon Changes plays two concerts at JAZZLAND in Vienna on January 6th and 7th 2017. The one and only Bertl Mayer playing…
Spheres of a genius. 100 years of Thelonious Monk
A jazz composition competition by JAM MUSIC LABin cooperation with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. I’m very glad to be able to…
Looking forward to playing with Thomas Gansch and Friends on September 10th
Sighardt Donabaum’s winery in Spitz an der Donau is not just a fabulous place for enjoying great wines in one of Austria’s…
15 Years of Quinton Records – Chameleon Changes at Porgy & Bess on Sep 30th
Chameleon Changes’ record company QUINTON celebrates its 15th anniversary. With: Chameleon ChangesWhen: September 30th, 2016Where: Porgy and Bess, ViennaFounded in 2001, the Austrian…
Lectures with Larry Appelbaum
It was an absolute pleasure to host Larry Appelbaum at JAM MUSIC LAB and the Jewish Museum Vienna. At JAM MUSIC LAB…
Chameleon Changes at JAZZ FEST WIEN 2016
Line up: Bertl Mayer (chrom. harp), Herwig Gradischnig (reeds), Daniel Nösig (trp.), Robert Bachner (trb.), Oliver Kent (p.), Hans Strasser (b.), Mario Gonzi…
Chameleon Changes – The Dangerous Lab
THE CHAMELEON’S UNIVERSE ON A NEW CD Just by walking, you’ll find new ways! Take the unknown path and participate in contrasts…
Studies on Artistic Research and Musical Hermeneutics
At the Institute of Musicology, Vienna, I was part of a several year long ongoing research seminar on musical hermeneutics, which was…
Looking forward to hosting Rex Richardson at JAM MUSIC LAB
Tuesday, 31.05.2016Start: 13.00Venue: Spielraum / Gasometer B, Guglgasse 8 Renowned international trumpeter Rex Richardson is a Yamaha Performing Artist and a veteran…
Research on Composition in Jazz
At the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna I’m currently working on a PhD thesis titled “Composition in Jazz“. AbstractComposition in…