LAZARUS is an award-winning film that fuses world music traditions with modern urban culture. Tap dance artist Nikolai Kemeny transforms his dancing into music, creating a captivating soundtrack and offering a space for the fusion of art forms. The music flows from jazz and bebop to intuitive play, visualized by the film collective verflimmert through a blend of documentary-style footage with Tap, Urban, and Afro-contemporary dance performances of international artist.
This project breaks the confines of traditional performing art. It engages with the streets, where culture and identity have their roots. LAZARUS challenges conventional views of contemporary dance and jazz, delivering bold compositions and passionate improvisations that reflect the struggles and aspirations of today’s world. This forward-thinking project celebrates creativity and is dedicated to the spirit of social justice.
Creating the seven audio tracks for LAZARUS was an inspiring process, driven by integrating tap dance as a musical element. The core band features Tom Friedrich on drums, Tobi Fröhlich on bass, and Christopher Kunz on saxophone. Tom composed three key pieces for the album: PAROXYSM, an extension of a project born during the pandemic, ATLAS, and MINOR LOSSES, which includes a guest performance by the great tap dancer Sebastian Weber.
The album also showcases high-profile guest contributions. Andreas Dänel uniquely combines violin and tap in his piece TOTENTANZ, which became a cornerstone of the album. A cosmic collaboration with renowned trumpeter Markus Stockhausen resulted in the improvisational piece SOLAR. Clarinetist Dorit Schäffler brought her piece BOLERO, allowing space for intuitive play and experimentation with form and sound. Another magical recording came from pianist Arturo Rúa, who reimagined an old Celtic folk song, adding a timeless layer to the project.
The 40-minute short film is an urban exploration of life perspectives. It complements the musical experience of the album while pulling viewers into a world of cultural diversity and emotional depth. The film showcases dance performances by international artists, each expressing their unique life experiences and personal attitudes, which adds a profound dimension to the narrative created by director Raphael Hahn.
The film follows Nikolai through his daily routine, from morning rituals to cycling to the recording studio, where a live session with Markus Stockhausen is filmed. These scenes are interwoven with performances from various dancers in distinct settings: Breakdance legend Lil Rock dances on a rooftop against the Frankfurt skyline, the Peruvian Spicy Crew brings Zapateo to the streets of Lima, and Andrea Alvergue performs an Afro-Caribbean dance in a moonlit forest. Together, these scenes create a vivid kaleidoscope of urban culture, all captured in stunning 4K quality.
The short film highlights the authenticity found in urban dance styles and dancers‘ lifestyles. The artists embody a burning passion for artistic expression. With the tap soundtrack, LAZARUS makes a powerful statement on the significance of artistic diversity, winning multiple awards at international film festivals.
LAZARUS offers a hybrid experience, incorporating live concert energy with the powerful visuals of its 40-minute film. Designed to captivate through both music and film, LAZARUS adapts seamlessly to various event formats, making it an ideal choice for multiple audiences.
Its flexibility ensures you can customize the experience to your venue’s needs.
LAZARUS pushes the boundaries of performance art, creating a bold narrative where sound, movement, and visual storytelling converge.
