Cologne Festival: Day Two

Tonight at LOFT in Cologne, pianist Simon Nabatov plays music by the jazz pianist and composer Herbie Nichols. Largely neglected during his lifetime, Nichols’ music has since been gaining champions in his native New York and across the world. And while Simon relaxes, Franz Hautzinger (pictured) leads a quartet of old friends through some new and surprising compositions.

So much for the programme. One of the best things about LOFT is the ease with which unusual combinations can be thrown together at the last minute. Behind that beautiful Steinway D, for example, there hides a rather nifty concert Yamaha. Last night saw some stunning Kagel-inspired improvisations from Paolo Alvares and surprise guest Simon Nabatov; a hurriedly arranged rematch is scheduled for tonight.