The end of an era: Bertrand Gröger leaves Jazzchor Freiburg

Bertrand Gröger, founder and artistic director of Jazzchor Freiburg for over 35 years, will be leaving the choir next year.

His successor has already been chosen: Julian Knörzer, former choir singer, beatboxer, and choir director of the Senior Jazz Chor, will take over as choir director in September 2025 and as artistic director in June 2026.  In Julian we are very fortunate to have found such a competent successor, who is very aware of the responsibility that comes with this legacy.

The Jazzchor Freiburg will therefore continue on its path and remain true to its musical style – even if it is currently difficult to imagine a Jazzchor without Bertrand.

Bertrand will continue to support the choir as an advisor for several years and will also enrich and shape the repertoire of the Choir with his unique arrangements.

This decision was anything but easy for Bertrand. Since 1990, he has invested a great deal of heart and soul, unparalleled commitment, and countless hours of work in the Jazzchor. But now it is time to make more room for his own projects, for which there was hardly any time due to his heavy workload. We can already look forward to his own CD “Heimliche Lieder”, which will be released by Jazzhaus Records in Autumn of 2025. He will pass on his  immense knowledge of jazz music and choir work in workshops, for which he is now available for booking. And will write new arrangements that “no choir has ever sung before” (quote from Bertrand on the concert program INFUSION).

On Sunday, June 7, 2026, with a farewell concert we will celebrate with Bertrand Gröger and the Jazzchor Freiburg in the Konzerthaus Freiburg.

Before that, from March-May 2026, there will be a series of concerts at venues that are particularly dear to Bertrand's heart. The dates and locations will be announced soon on the Jazz Choir website. So there will be many opportunities to say goodbye to Bertrand. Many of us will certainly remain closely connected to him even after his time as artistic director. But even now, we owe him our deepest gratitude and respect for all he has done for the Jazzchor Freiburg.