SCHMID’s HUHN Reimagine Paul Hindemith on the Bold and Inventive Hindemith Abstractions

SCHMID’s HUHN continue to push the boundaries of contemporary jazz with the release of their fourth album, Hindemith Abstractions. Released on June 19, 2026, the record showcases the ensemble’s remarkable ability to blend composed structure and free improvisation into a sound that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally immediate.

For more than thirteen years, SCHMID’s HUHN have been refining a distinctive musical identity that draws from post-bop, cool jazz, avant-garde jazz, and contemporary improvised music. Throughout Hindemith Abstractions, the quartet demonstrates the depth of that shared artistic vision, creating music that feels adventurous while remaining remarkably cohesive.

The album takes inspiration from the work of celebrated composer Paul Hindemith, particularly his composition Des kleinen Elektromusikers Lieblinge for three Trautoniums. Rather than simply interpreting the original material, SCHMID’s HUHN use it as a starting point for transformation. Melodic ideas, interval structures, harmonic concepts, and formal designs are reshaped and integrated into the group’s own unmistakable musical language.

At the heart of the release is the four-part suite The Little Jazz Musicians’ Favorites, a work that reflects the ensemble’s fascination with Hindemith’s compositional thinking while highlighting their own creative voice. The album then expands further through Reflections on Hindemith, a five-part fully improvised work that explores structure, clarity, and energy through spontaneous collective interaction. The result is music that embraces risk while remaining focused and purposeful.

The lineup features Stefan Karl Schmid on tenor saxophone, Leonhard Huhn on alto saxophone, Stefan Schönegg on bass, and Fabian Arends on drums. Together, they demonstrate a rare balance between individual virtuosity and deep ensemble connection.

Recorded in Cologne and produced by Stefan Karl Schmid, Hindemith Abstractions stands as another significant milestone in the group’s evolution. Conceptually ambitious, musically rich, and driven by fearless creativity, the album confirms SCHMID’s HUHN as one of the most distinctive and compelling voices in contemporary jazz today.