In 1987, at the suggestion of the German Music Council, the Bundesjazzorchester (Bujazzo) was founded by bandleader and composer Peter Herbolzheimer as the national youth jazz orchestra of the Federal Republic of Germany; its first concert took place in January 1988. Over the past nearly four decades, more than 900 musicians – some of whom are now well-known –have passed through this jazz talent incubator, which has served as a career booster. Since this year, it has been led by the artistic duo Theresia Philipp (saxophone) and Jörn-Marcus Wulff (trombone). “Mountains and Melodies” is the name of the program that Bujazzo is presenting for its concert at Cologne Jazzweek. It draws on Armenia’s rich history and diverse culture. The composer and pianist Yessaï Karapetian was born in 1993 in this country in the Middle East. Together with Philipp and the Bujazzo, he aims to build a bridge between the musical traditions of his homeland and those of Germany and Europe through “Mountains and Melodies,” in order to foster openness, mutual inspiration, and a joy in dialogue.