Singer Uschi Brüning receives jazz award for her life's work

Jazz and pop singer Uschi Brüning has been awarded the German Jazz Prize for her life's work. The 78-year-old is a great and fascinating musician whose work has shaped generations over the decades, the jury explained the decision. For more than five decades, she has been a versatile singer with a unique blend of jazz, soul and chanson.

Brüning, born in Leipzig, is considered a jazz icon. She became famous through her decades-long collaboration with Manfred Krug, among others. In the GDR, she was sometimes referred to as the "Ella Fitzgerald of the East". Her husband Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky, who died in 2023, was also one of the most influential personalities on the jazz scene in the GDR and beyond.

The German Jazz Award has been honoring outstanding achievements in the national and international jazz scene since 2021. The big award gala will take place this year on June 13 - once again in Cologne. Last year, pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach was awarded in the Lifetime Achievement category.

Brüning was honored by the recognition. "This award means a lot to me - not only as recognition for many years of artistic work, but also as a sign that jazz in all its facets continues to live, grow and connect," she explained.