Karlheinz Drechsel dies shortly before his 90th birthday

We have received the sad news that Karlheinz Drechsel passed away in Berlin today, October 5, 2020, at the age of 89. He was a co-founder and long-time chief host of our INTERNATIONAL DIXIELAND FESTIVAL.

Karlheinz Drechsel shaped our festival like almost no one else over nearly five decades. Engaging, captivating, and drawing on seemingly inexhaustible knowledge, he was able to incorporate virtually everything related to old-time jazz worldwide into his “vocation” as an announcer and author. Born in Dresden and educated in cultural and theatre studies, he was a musician himself, became the drummer of the Elb Meadow Ramblers in 1956, and was among the founders of Dresden’s “Jazz Interest Group,” which was banned in 1957. In 1959 he launched his first weekly program, “Jazz Panorama,” followed by “Die Jazznacht” on Berliner Rundfunk. Later, he became a much sought-after co-founder, creative contributor, and host in the field of jazz, and in January 2004 he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on ribbon for his services to jazz, as well as, in the same year, the first-ever honorary medal of the state capital Dresden.

He will remain unforgettable to the Dresden festival audience—unforgettable for his boundless knowledge, his anecdotes, his warmth, and above all his close rapport with the audience.

Wir verneigen uns vor einem wichtigen Erbauer des INTERNATIONALEN DIXIELAND FESTIVALS und langjährigen Chefmoderator Karlheinz Drechsel. Wir wünschen seiner Frau, seinen Söhnen und Angehörigen in diesen schweren Stunden viel Kraft und bekunden unser tiefstes Mitgefühl.

On behalf of the organizer
and the Dresden festival audience
our heartfelt condolences.

The Board
of the Saxon Festival Association (registered association)