Biography
Guitarist Jan Zehrfeld fronts the electrified German outfit Panzerballett, whose sound merges jazz with heavy metal in distinctive fashion. Drawing inspiration from sources as varied as Iron Maiden and Meshuggah on one side and Herbie Hancock and Weather Report on the other, the ensemble distinguishes itself through witty genre play and instrumental prowess. Established in 2004, the project owes its existence chiefly to Zehrfeld, a classically schooled jazz performer and instructor who attended both the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz and the Richard Strauss Conservatory Munich. Before assembling Panzerballett he had instructed students, performed with assorted rock and jazz groups, and served as a studio session player.
The self-titled Panzerballett marked their recorded debut in 2005; subsequent live appearances, among them slots at the 15th National Youth Jazz Festival in Leipzig and the Burg Herzberg Festival, helped cultivate an audience. Those shows were documented on the 2007 concert DVD Live at Backstage Munich. The following year yielded the second album, Starke Stücke, which alternated original material with vigorous renditions of “Birdland,” “Pink Panther,” “Smoke on the Water,” and further well-known pieces.
Hart Genossen von ABBA bis Zappa appeared in 2009 and offered a comparable blend of ABBA and Frank Zappa interpretations together with other covers and originals; the release climbed to number 25 on the German jazz charts. Tank Goodness arrived three years later, spotlighting guest spots by trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Mattias “IA” Eklundh, and additional contributors. After issuing a second concert DVD the band returned with Breaking Brain in 2015. Their first holiday-themed collection, X-Mas Death Jazz, followed in 2017.
The self-titled Panzerballett marked their recorded debut in 2005; subsequent live appearances, among them slots at the 15th National Youth Jazz Festival in Leipzig and the Burg Herzberg Festival, helped cultivate an audience. Those shows were documented on the 2007 concert DVD Live at Backstage Munich. The following year yielded the second album, Starke Stücke, which alternated original material with vigorous renditions of “Birdland,” “Pink Panther,” “Smoke on the Water,” and further well-known pieces.
Hart Genossen von ABBA bis Zappa appeared in 2009 and offered a comparable blend of ABBA and Frank Zappa interpretations together with other covers and originals; the release climbed to number 25 on the German jazz charts. Tank Goodness arrived three years later, spotlighting guest spots by trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Mattias “IA” Eklundh, and additional contributors. After issuing a second concert DVD the band returned with Breaking Brain in 2015. Their first holiday-themed collection, X-Mas Death Jazz, followed in 2017.
Albums
