Happy Birthday Karsten Jahnke

Karsten Jahnke, one of Germany’s live music legends, turned 80 today, Nov. 22. Pollstar collected a couple of congratulations.

Jahnke is, of course, the founder of Karsten Jahnke Konzertdirektion GmbH, one of the last truly independent promoters in Germany. He co-promoted his first live event, a jazz ball, in 1959, continuing to promote shows on the side until 1969.

PRG Live Entertainment Award 2016 – Karsten Jahnke

He founded his own company in 1972. Today, Jahnke and his team of 25 put on between 700 and 1,000 rock and pop concerts a year, plus festivals such as Elbjazz and Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Jahnke’s birthplace, or Way Back When in Dortmund.

Even though Jahnke’s grandson Ben Mitha was announced as his successor in 2014, the grandmaster is still in the office every day. And as Mitha told Pollstar last year, that “is probably not going to change until the very last day.”

For 20 years, Jahnke was associate president of one of Germany’s promoters associations, the VDKD, which is currently preparing the merger with the country’s other major promoters association bodv.

After he left in 2012, he became an honorary member. VDKD president Pascal Funke said: “Karsten Jahne is one of the most distinctive and dedicated concert promoters, his service to the artist and the audience is exemplary. He is one of the great personalities of our trade, who has conclusively shaped the musical life not only of Hamburg and launched countless musical careers and still accompanies them.

“Aside from his love for music, especially jazz, Karsten Jahnke is tirelessly championing concert and tour promoters’ and agents’ concerns. At the same time, he possesses the calm and virtues of a Hanseatic businessman. We wholeheartedly congratulate Karsten Jahnke on his 80th birthday and wish him much creative enthusiasm going forward.”

Another promoter legend from Germany, Marke Lieberberg, told Pollstar: “Karsten Jahnke has devoted his life to music and artists, always considering quality first. He developed an unparalleled competence in the Hamburg market, where he has been widely accepted by most of the tour organizers as the local promoter per se. With his passion and conviction, he remains a shining example of a man on a cultural mission.”

Continuing with legends, Live Natioin Belgium’s Herman Schueremans said: “Hi Karsten, happy 80th birthday to you. Congrats for bringing high-quality, tasty artists to Germany during your long career. Germany and Europe thank you for this life-time achievement. Keep going and enjoy music and life.”

CAA’s Emma Banks said: “Congratulations Karsten on being 80 years young. You are an inspiration to many!”

Another company that, like Karsten Jahnke’s, has seen a generational change in recent years is Wizard Promotions father Ossy Hoppe and son Oliver Hoppe sent their joint good wishes: “In a world of originals, you’re on of a kind. We’re both proud to be working with and having learnt from you. A jazz-rock fusion that pleases.”