Konfrontationen, a small scale festival for improvised music in Nickelsdorf – on the border between Austria and Hungary – is threatened with extinction after twenty-five years of programming due to a lack of funds and lack of support from the Austrian government. The festival is led by Hans Falb, a great lover of free jazz. A glance at the list of names of those artists who have played at Konfrontationen – that include quite a few Dutch musicians – provides a who’s who of the international avant-garde. Musicians and audience alike sing the praises of the festival, not only because everyone sits down to eat at the same table, but because of the legendary afterparties, where Hans Falb hits the decks as DJ. Local musicians in Vienna, Berlin, Cologne and Amsterdam are organising benefit concerts to raise money and international attention for the festival’s threatened bankruptcy. Tonight the Bimhuis cafe-restaurant will be serving a buffet menu instead of its usual a-la-carte menu (euro 15, from 19 hours). Reservations recommended: 020-7882158.

CONFRONTATIONS – BENEFIT CONCERT JAZZGALERIE NICKELSDORF

DUO HAN BENNINK/OSCAR JAN HOOGLAND
Han Bennink-drums, Oscar-Jan Hoogland-piano
AVAILABLE JELLY
Michael Moore-alto sax, clarinets, Wolter Wierbos-trombone, Eric Boeren-cornet, Ernst Glerum-contrabass, Michael Vatcher-drums
TRIO BRAAM/DEJOODE/VATCHER & PETER VAN BERGEN
Michiel Braam-piano, Wilbert de Joode-bass, Michael Vatcher-drums, Peter van Bergen-tenor sax, clarinets
TRIOLEX
Tristan Honsinger-cello, Serigne Gueye-djembe, Luc Ex-bass
AFTERPARTY: DJ HANS FALB