Sometimes festival life writes its own stories: the Swiss boogie-woogie pianist Ladyva is unfortunately unable to perform at the 54th INTERNATIONAL DIXIELAND FESTIVAL DRESDEN. We are all the more delighted that Dan Popek, an equally outstanding and audience-friendly pianist, is stepping in at short notice and taking over all concerts. He received the 2019 Sponsorship Award of the INTERNATIONAL DIXIELAND FESTIVAL.
Born in 1996, the German pianist belongs to the young elite of boogie and jazz pianists; the Süddeutsche Zeitung hails him as the “Mozart of boogie woogie.” In his solo show, he combines breathtaking boogie runs, jazz improvisation, excursions into classical music, and blues-inflected moods with a generous dose of entertainment. Charming stage talk, humorous anecdotes “from the world of the 88 keys,” and a captivating stage presence make every performance an experience that goes far beyond a “mere” piano concert. So anyone holding a ticket for Ladyva can still look forward to first-class boogie woogie and virtuoso keyboard artistry — just with a different, no less brilliant name on the program.
At this year’s festival, Dan Popek will appear in all formats originally planned for Ladyva:
On Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in the concert “Dan Popek” in the Robert Schumann Hall of the Coselpalais, on Thursday, 14 May 2026, at “Late Night Boogie,” and on Friday, 15 May 2026, at “Hot Jazz in the Fortress.” In these very different settings, he will show how flexibly his playing unfolds from the intimate recital hall to the main festival stage — a worthy replacement that fully fulfills the promise of a top-class piano highlight.
