Johanna Summer

About

Peggy's Skylight
Wednesday 2 September 2026 | 8pm - 10pm
Tickets: £12.50

Johanna Summer is a German pianist, maneuvering in the undiscovered worlds between jazz and classical music. "A very fine, virtuosic, classical, player who has made the leap to improvise in a style that sounds distinctly her own." Marlbank (UK)

"Johanna Summer is a very fine, virtuosic, classical, player who has made the leap to improvise in a style that sounds distinctly her own." – Marlbank (UK)

Johanna Summer is a German pianist, maneuvering in the undiscovered worlds between jazz and classical music. She succeeds in creating a space in which both genres meet in such a natural way, without confusing themselves in the intended or in epigonism.

Johanna Summer began classical piano lessons at the age of 7 and was a multiple prizewinner at the national "Jugend musiziert" competition. She completed her jazz piano studies in Dresden and Cologne and was a member of the Bundesjazzorchester (National Youth Jazz Orchestra). In 2020, she released her solo debut album "Schumann Kaleidoskop" on the ACT label, on which she explores Robert Schumann's music through improvisation. This concept of retelling classical piano works is continued on "Resonanzen" (2023). Johanna regularly collaborates with classical artists like Igor Levit and Kit Armstrong as well as ensembles such as the WDR Big Band.

With her solo programme Johanna Summer continues the unique concept that already brought her debut "Schumann Kaleidoskop" enormous recognition from the media, fellow musicians and audience. With profound technique, influenced by classical music as well as jazz and impressive creative power, she improvisatorily plays the music of classical composers. Always new, always different. The result can only be inadequately described with terms like "jazz" or "classical". Rather: An unbelievably varied, personal retelling of the classical originals, marked by deep comprehension
"Johanna Summer re-tells the music of classical and modern composers. Every note is a commitment to the freedom of individual expression." – ZEIT online