Further Events
No further dates are currently scheduled
The F.I.M. and Its Formats
The Forum for Improvised Music is an initiative dedicated to promoting free improvisation in Frankfurt and has developed the following formats:
Open Stage for Free Improvisation
Following the performance by the “opener group,” interested musicians can improvise and interact in various ensembles during the second part of the evening.
Formations+
Renowned musicians commissioned by F.I.M. improvise together in rotating ensembles (5 formations). The formations are complemented (+) by invited guest musicians.
Formations+ with F.I.M. Frankfurt Meets…
In the spirit of networking, F.I.M. invites a national or international initiative for improvised music each year to participate in a musical exchange.
Formations+ Dance
Freely improvising musicians interact with leading figures from the dance scene, joined by guest musicians and dancers.
„Raumbespielungen“
Free musical interaction and improvisation in public spaces throughout Frankfurt. Improvisation by 11 musicians at 11 locations, culminating in a joint group improvisation.
Female Duo
In an intimate concert setting, two leading figures from the national improvisation scene improvise as a duo.
Improv³_
Three musicians playing the same instruments present a solo improvisation as well as a joint “tutti” performance in a single evening.
Solo_instant composing
Solo_instant composing
Solo improvisations are presented at various venues as part of a small concert series. Each concert series is dedicated to a specific theme.
NÄCHSTE VERANSTALTUNG
F.I.M. Festival ´26
International Festival of Improvised Music
Oct. 1–4, 2026
In this year’s 4-day international festival, the Forum for Improvised Music presents musicians from the national and international improvisation scene. The festival program showcases various forms of improvised and experimental music. Workshops, film, and collaborations with dance expand the scope of the festival program. The featured instrument of this year’s festival is the “trumpet,” presented in various solo improvisations. Internationally established luminaries will interact with young rising stars of the genre; electronic meets acoustic, ranging from noise to new improvisational music, presented on established concert stages as well as in church spaces.
With the support of our sponsors and partners, we are delighted to present this experimental music format to a broad audience in Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region.
Festival Day 1 – Thu, Oct. 1, 2026
Gallus Theater Frankfurt
Ticket reservtion at www.gallustheater.de
19:00 h: Solo
1 – Els Vandeweyer/BEL – Vibraphone
2 – Max Clouth/D – Guitar
3 – Tizia Zimmermann/SUI – Accordion
4 – Carl Ludwig Hübsch/D – Tuba
5 – Chris Corsano/US – Drums
The evening begins with top-notch solo improvisations spanning a wide range of musical styles. In the second part of the evening, the musicians will interact in ad hoc formations with students from the Dance Department of the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts (HfMDK).
8:30 p.m.: F.I.M. Formations + Dance
Improvisations in interaction with dance in 4 formations
Max Clouth/D – Guitar
Chris Corsano/US – Drums
Carl Ludwig Hübsch/D – Tuba
Martin Lejeune/D – Guitar
Els Vandeweyer/BEL – Vibraphone
Tizia Zimmermann/SUI – Accordion
Dancers from the HfMDK:
Alicia Bonell
Franz Xaver Duntze
Marie Houssin
Malina Luisa Stieghorst
+ guest musicians
Festival Day 2 – Fri, Oct. 2, 2026
Alte Nikolaikirche
Admission is free; donations are welcome
11:30 a.m.: Solo Trumpet 1 – Dennis Sekretarev
Frankfurt-based trumpeter Dennis Sekretarev, who is also at home in traditional jazz, kicked off the “Trumpet” solo improvisation series.
HfMDK – Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Künste
Free admission; see details for registration
11:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Workshop and Lecture
Practical Improvisation with Elliott Sharp and Hamid Drake
Elliott Sharp/US – Guitar
Hamid Drake/US – Drums
Two international giants of improvised music share their many years of experience and musical concepts with interested students and musicians. Elliott Sharp/US – Guitar
Hamid Drake/US – Drums
Two international giants of improvised music will share their many years of experience and musical concepts with interested students and musicians.
Brotfabrik Frankfurt
Tickets at brotfabrik.de
7:00 p.m.: SOG
Lina Allemano/ARG – Trumpet
Uwe Oberg/D – Piano
Matthias Bauer/D – Double Bass
Rudi Fischerlehner/A – Drums
The group SOG, featuring this year’s German Jazz Prize winner Lina Allemano, presents finely balanced improvisational music of the highest caliber.
8:30 p.m.: Sharp – Ismaily – Corsano
Elliott Sharp/US – guitar
Shahzad Ismaily/US – bass
Chris Corsano/US – drums
This is going to be exciting—three American avant-garde musicians coming together.
9:45 p.m.: Brötzmann – Drake
Caspar Brötzmann/Germany – guitar
Hamid Drake/U.S. – drums
An unusual duo—though not the first time they’ve collaborated—promises the highest level of improvisational artistry.
Festival Day 3 – Sat, Oct. 3, 2026
Alte Nikolaikirche
Admission is free; donations are welcome
11:30 a.m.: Solo Trumpet 2 – Lina Allemano
Canadian trumpeter Lina Allemano, this year’s recipient of the German Jazz Prize, captivates audiences with her versatility and creativity on the instrument.
Mal Seh’n Kino
Ticket reservation at malsehnkino.de
2:00 p.m.: Film followed by a discussion: „Tastenarbeiter Alexander von Schlippenbach“
Documentary film about pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach, one of the pioneers of European free jazz, Germany 2023, 106 min., directed by Tilman Urbach, followed by a discussion with Alexander von Schlippenbach and Tilman Urbach.
Camila Nebbia/ARG – Saxophone
Elliot Sharp/US – Guitar
Paal Nilssen-Love/NO – Drums
An interesting lineup: young, up-and-coming Argentine saxophonist Camila Nebbia joins forces with internationally established giants of the genre.
8:30 p.m.: Gropper – Drake – Vicente – Downes – Ismaily
Philipp Gropper/Germany – saxophone
Luís Vicente/Portugal – trumpet
Kit Downes/UK – piano
Shahzad Ismaily/US – bass
Hamid Drake/US – drums
A wild mix of masters who excel at their instruments. Never before have they played together in this lineup—an improvisational fireworks display is about to begin.
22:00 Uhr: Railton – Bang – Aarset
Lucy Railton/GB – cello, electronics
Jan Bang/NO – live sampling, programming
Eivind Aarset/NO – guitar, electronics
Later in the evening, things get electronic. British cellist Lucy Railton, who began with a classical background and has since gradually expanded into improvisation and electronic music, joins forces with the well-established Nordic electronic music duo Jan Bang and Eivind Aarset.
11:30 p.m.: Electronic set – Anushka Chkeidze
Electronic set only on Sat, Oct. 3, 2026: Admission: €10, no advance tickets | Doors open at 10:30 p.m.
Georgian musician Anushka Chkheizde will close out the evening. As one of her country’s greatest musical talents, she combines various electronic textures, minimalist sequences, and complex rhythms into a cohesive musical whole.
Festival Day 4 – Sun, Oct. 4, 2026
Alte Nikolaikirche
Free admission; donations welcome
11:30 a.m.: Trumpet Solo 3 – Luís Vicente
In high demand and as active on the European improv scene as almost anyone else, Portuguese trumpeter Luis Vicente is wrapping up the “Trumpet” solo series.
Nebbiensches Gartenhaus
Free admission; donations welcome
3:00 p.m.: Solo Gaita Gallega – Carme López
A truly special performance: drawing on the Galician musical tradition, Carme Lopez presents her traditional instrument, the bagpipes, in a contemporary style.
KunstKulturKirche Allerheiligen
Free admission; donations welcome
5:00 p.m. Chkeidze – Downes – Railton
Anushla Chkeidze/GE Electronics
Kit Downes/GB – Organ
Lucy Railton/GB – Cello/Electronics
Kit Downes, a recipient of the British Jazz Award, the BBC Jazz Award, and the German Jazz Prize, engages in a musical dialogue with the young musicians Lucy Railton and Anushka Chkheidze. Electroacoustic sounds meet the diversity of contemporary organ sounds.
Alexander von Schlippenbach/Germany – Piano
Rudi Mahall/Germany – Clarinet
Elliott Sharp/USA – Guitar
Paal Nilssen-Love/Norway – Drums
Four masters of their craft, big names and exceptional talent—nothing can really go wrong here.
8:30 p.m.: Warelis – Nebbia – Gropper – Aarset – Bang – Ismaily – Drake
Marta Warelis/PL – Piano; Camila Nebbia/ARG – Saxophone
Philipp Gropper/D – Saxophone
Eivind Aarset/N – Guitar, Electronics
Jan Bang/NO – Live sampling, Programming
Shahzad Ismaily/US – Bass
Hamid Drake/US – Drums
To close out the festival, a large ensemble will once again bring together various musical styles in a final musical “potpourri.”
Tickets
- Gallus Theater
Thu, Oct. 1, 2026 General Admission: €20 | Kulturpass: €1
Ticket reservations: gallustheater.de - Brotfabrik
Festival Pass for all concerts at Brotfabrik, Oct. 2–4, 2026: 65 € + advance booking fee
Evening Ticket, Oct. 2, 2026: 25 € + advance booking fee | At the door: 30 € | Kulturpass: 1 €
Evening ticket, Oct. 3, 26: €30 + advance booking fee | At the door: €35 | Kulturpass: €1
Electronic set only on Sat, Oct. 3, 2026: At the door: 10, no advance sales | Doors open at 10:30 PM
Evening ticket for Oct. 4, 2026: 25, + advance booking fee | At the door: 30, | Kulturpass: 1
Advance tickets available at brotfabrik.de - Alte Nikolaikirche
Free admission; donations welcome KunstKulturKirche Allerheiligen
Free admission; donations welcomeMal Seh’n Kino
malsehnkino.deNebbiensches Gartenhaus
Free admission; donations welcome
Venues
- Gallus Theater
Adlerwerke, Kleyerstraße 15, 60326 Frankfurt-Gallus
Subway S3/S4/S5/S6, Trams 11, 14, 21, Station: Gallus-Warte
gallustheater.de
- Brotfabrik
Bachmannstr. 2-4, 60488 Frankfurt-Hausen
Subway U6/U7, Stations: Industriehof, Fischstein, Große Nelkenstraße, Bus – Nachtbus n1 Alte Nikolaikirche
Römerberg, Altstadt
Subway U4/U5, Station: Dom/Römer, Tram 11, 12, 14, Station: Römer/Paulskirche
St. Paulsgemeinde – evangelisch – lutherisch – Alte NikolaikircheKunstKulturKirche Allerheiligen
Thüringer Straße 35, 60316 Frankfurt-Ostend (near zoo)
Subway U6/U7, Tram 14, Station: Zoo → walking distance about 350m
KunstKulturKircheMal Seh’n Kino
Adlerflychtstraße 6, Hinterhaus, 60318 Frankfurt-Nordend
U-Bahn – U5/ Station Musterschule → walking distance about 150 m, Bus – Linie 36, Station: Adlerflychtplatz
malsehnkino.deNebbiensches Gartenhaus
Bockenheimer Anlage, 60322 Frankfurt, Anlagenring/Wallanlage behind Hilton Hotel;
Subway – U1/U2/U3/U8/U9, Station Eschenheimer Tor, U6/U7, Station: Alte Oper
frankfurter-kuenstlerclub.de
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NEWS
Möchten Sie über anstehende Veranstaltungen informiert werden? Wir nehmen in unseren Mailverteiler auf: Schreiben Sie an: fim-ffm@gmx.net
Musicians of previous Events
Halym Aabo-Kim, Nana Pi Aabo-Kim, Jonathan Aardestrup, Christine Abdelnour, Julia Alsdorf (Tanz) Bülent Ates, Christoph Aupperle, Thomas Bachmann, Nik Bärtsch, Savas Bayrak, Lucía María Rubio Belda (Tanz), Isabelle Bodenseh, Michael Bossong(†), Big Breeezy, Thomas Breuer, Paul Cannon, Nico Chientaroli, Tony Clark, Max Clouth, Elisabeth Coudoux, Marcel Daemgen, Marlies Debacker, Matthias TC Debus, Bob Degen, Christopher Dell, Erwin Ditzner, Maria Dybbroe, Mia Dyberg, Nigel Edwards, Izabella Effenberg, Peter Feil(†), Jörg Fischer, Fred Frith, Fe Fritschi, Valentin Garvie, Bernhard Gehrke, Gregor Glogowski, Martin Götte, Igor Grabez, Sebastian Gramss, Frank Gratkowski, Devin Gray, Gerhard Gschlößl, Daniel Guggenheim, Fred Guntermann, Fabian Habicht, Katharina Hamp, Peter Hanson, Alfred 23 Harth, Ruben Hausmann, Shay Hazan, Nicola Hein, Frederich Helbing, Christopher Herrmann, Matthias Hoch, Matt Hollenberg, Oscar Jan Hoogland, Carl Ludwig Hübsch, Lutz Jahnke, Jazzmadass, Salim Javaid, Jo Jena, Wilbert de Joode, Willi Kappich, Roger Kintopf, Aki Kitajima, Naoko Kikuchi, Henri Klein (Tanz), Peter Klohmann, Stefan Kohmann, Athina Kontou, Liz Kosack, Burkard Kunkel, Kathrin Lambert, Raphael Languillat, Christof Lauer, Sonia Lautenbacher (Tanz), Lömsch Lehmann, Martin Lejeune, Gunnar Lettow, Christian Lillinger, Abril Lukac (Tanz), Andrea Maria Maeder (Tanz), Rudi Mahall, Dominik Mahnig, Dirk Marwedel, Felix Mayer, Annick Moerman, Michael Moore, Oliver Potratz, Puschan Mousavi Malvani, Frederik Maul, Heiner Metzger, Nikolai Muck, Matthias Muche, Sana Nagano, Ali Neander, Andreas Neubauer, Mani Neumeier, Etienne Nillesen, Uwe Oberg, Richard Oberscheven (Tanz), Eric Plandé, Maria Portugal, Christian Ramond, Emma Rasmussen (Tanz), Ada Rave, Ulrich Raupach, Wolfgang Reimers, Vitold Rek, Michael Riessler, Bertram Ritter, Jan Roder, Guilherme Rodrigues, Isabel Rößler, Chris Rücker, Eric Ruffing, Olaf Rupp, Páula Sánchez, Georgia Sassone (Tanz) Silvia Sauer, Heinz Sauer, Felicitas Schauer, Uli Schiffelholz, Wolfgang Schliemann, Sue Schlotte, Martin „Schmiddi“ Schmidt, Daniel Schmitz, Britta Schönbrunn (Tanz), Matthias Schubert, John Schröder, Ulrike Schwarz, Aleksandra M. Ścibor Infinity (Tanz), Khadim Seck, Danny Sher, Angelika Sheridan, Emilie Škrijelj, Dennis Sekretarev, Aleksandar Skoric, Jasper Stadhouders, Sebastian Sternal, Mieko Suzuki, Peter Stock, Tassos Tataroglu, Ziv Taubenfeld, Christof Thewes, Hasan O Tuna, Jan-Filip Tupa, Birgit Ulher, Harvey Valdes; Matthias Vogt, Luise Volkmann, Marta Warelis, Rainer Weber, Ingo Weiß, Uschi Wentzell, Bastian Weinig, Jürgen Werner, Jonas Westergaard, Katharina Wiedenhofer (Tanz), Philipp Wildenhues, Georg Wolf, Jürgen Wuchner(†), Eva Zöllner, Kathrin Zurborg
Information for artists who wish to apply:
We look forward to receiving applications from musicians and will add them to our applicant list.
We will only contact applicants if we are interested. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for specific tour dates.
Please send applications to fim-ffm@gmx.net
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