Jazz Girl's Day

Out of the ivory tower

Herbert Pirker has toured the world as a drummer. Now he is a professor at the Bruckner University with lots of ideas.(Bild: Rainer Maria Jilg)

"Jazz is still a male domain," says Herbert Pirker, drummer and professor at the Bruckner University in Linz. He wants to counteract this with the first Jazz Girl's Day on March 15. Young female musicians can already register for the event. Pirker also wants to break down the university walls with his Jazz Institute.

Jazz is not everyone's cup of tea, but it is also one of the most popular genres of music. Herbert Pirker is a permanent fixture on the scene; the Styrian drummer has played with Wolfgang Puschnig, Kurt Ostbahn and the Max Nagl Trio, among others.

He has been teaching at the Bruckner University in Linz since 2008 and has now been promoted to professor. He wants to make a big splash and take his jazz institute "out of the ivory tower".

Getting involved in the theater
As a first step, students have already played drums live in the play "Tempo" at the Phönix in Linz - the "Krone" reported. As a second initiative, collaborations with the Brucknerhaus, Posthof, Kapu, AEC and Lentos are now to follow.

Not only that: "For the first time, there will be a Jazz Girl's Day at the Bruckner University," says Pirker. Around 80% of all jazz musicians are men, only 20% women. "We want to change that," says Pirker confidently. That's why Jazz Girls Day on March 15, 2025 is tailored to girls between the ages of 11 and 18.

It's not about ability
If you like singing or playing an instrument, you can take part in bands, there are workshops and a concert at the end. The level of playing is not important: "Jazz Girl's Day is all about daring to make music and having fun!" emphasizes Pirker. 

Information and registration at bruckneruni.ac.at and [e-mail]