For two decades, Session Work Records has stood for contemporary jazz from Austria that looks beyond stylistic and geographical boundaries with curiosity. The independent label was founded by musician and composer Christoph Pepe Auer—with the aim of providing a platform for distinctive artistic voices and working in partnership with musicians to help them bring their projects to life.

What began with Auer’s “The New York Sessions” has since grown into a diverse catalog: improvised music meets songwriting, chamber music soundscapes meet electronic textures, and subtle nuances meet rhythmic energy. Session Work Records sees itself not only as a platform for releases but also as a network of artists who develop their music with great openness, consistency, and a personal touch.

The 20th anniversary will be celebrated with a two-day festival at Porgy & Bess. The lineup features musicians who showcase the label’s stylistic breadth—including Anna Anderluh, Mahan Mirarab, David Six, and more. Unfortunately, this is only a tiny selection of the artists represented on the nearly 170 albums released to date.

Two evenings filled with contemporary music, surprising collaborations, and a shared history.