Tastenarbeiter – Alexander von Schlippenbach

He is one of the founding fathers of European free jazz: For decades, Alexander von Schlippenbach has gone his own way, playing the piano, composing, leading bands. The new film "Keyboard Workers - Alexander von Schlippenbach" draws a very personal portrait, shows biographical breaks, but also new beginnings. It reconstructs his path into the musicians' collective of the now legendary "Free Music Production" (FMP), for whom free jazz meant dissociation - not only from the musical, but also from the political establishment.

Followed by a discussion with Alexander von Schlippenbach and Tilman Urbach, moderated by Harald Kisiedu.

Free jazz, as the film makes clear, was considered by many to be the musical realization of the '68 movement. A sounding model of democracy in which all voices were equal - a principle that Schlippenbach took to extremes with his Globe Unity Orchestra, even though he always saw himself as a musician and by no means as a political activist. In the film, the pianist meets old companions such as trumpeter Manfred Schoof. In Dresden, Schlippenbach jams with percussionist Günter "Baby" Sommer and talks to him about their joint concerts in the GDR, where free jazz musicians were celebrated like pop stars.

The camera also accompanies Alexander von Schlippenbach home, where he lives an extraordinary life and work partnership with his wife, jazz pianist Aki Takase. An insight that once again shows that free jazz is above all one thing: an unconditional expression of radicalism, individuality and freedom. Out of this spirit, music remains an attitude and statement for Schlippenbach - until today.

A production of Modofilm, isar film in cooperation with Salzgeber