40 years of gamsbART

Mega party at the Orpheum with old and new friends

As a jazz organizer, Gerhard Kosel and his gamsbART association have been providing exciting concerts with local and international stars since 1984. His milestone birthday will be celebrated on April 11 with a mega party at the Orpheum in Graz.

"One thing I've learned over the years," says Gerhard Kosel, "always look forwards, never backwards". This was also the premise behind the gamsbART's 40th anniversary party, which will feature numerous stars from the scene as well as many young musicians.

I have learned to look forwards, never backwards

Gerhard Kosel

A great example is the "handover of the baton" celebrated by the Meinhart family - Günter, son Raphael and grandson Moritz (proudly 3 years old). Or the performance of the young soul high-flyer Zelda Weber with her Rosettes.

An evening of surprises
"It's going to be an evening full of surprises," promises Kosel, who also has a star guest up his sleeve whose name he wants to keep secret. Anna Anderluh, Klemens Bittmann, Patrick Dunst, Georg Gratzer, Herms Fritz, Ewald Oberleitner, Alf Poier, Karlheinz Miklin Jr, Raphael Wressnig, Maja Jaku and many, many more are confirmed to perform.

Betty O. and Lukas Meissl lead the program and the whole house is used, often with surprising combinations. And in addition to the musical events, there will also be culinary delights. 

Great prizes to be won
But that's not all: raffle tickets will be sold throughout the evening, with the main prize being a trip to New York to check out the jazz clubs with Luis Bonilla, a trip to London's jazz destinations and a trip to Vienna's Porgy & Bess. "Every ticket wins," promises Kosel, "and the net proceeds go to the hospice association."

As far as the future of gamsbART is concerned, Gerhard Kosel is still offering a packed program this autumn with greats such as Herms Fritz, Johannes Silberschneider, Markus Schirmer, Wolfram Berger and others. In 2025, however, it plans to gradually wind down its activities. Kosel is already working on new ideas that will reach far beyond the Styrian borders.

But first there will be a proper celebration! All information can be found here, tickets are available at the Orpheum.