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Classical and jazz for cancer research: On November 27, 2026, the Frank Dupree Trio will perform at the NCT Heidelberg’s eleventh “Beats Against Cancer” benefit concert at the Karlstorbahnhof. As is tradition, guests purchase “beats” instead of tickets. The proceeds will benefit innovative projects in applied cancer research at the NCT Heidelberg.

The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), the Heidelberg Medical Faculty of the Heidelberg University and the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg.

Experience music and support cancer research—that’s what visitors can do when the multi-award-winning pianist and conductor Frank Dupree takes the stage at the Karlstorbahnhof on November 27 at 7:30 p.m. for the “Beats Against Cancer” benefit concert, alongside drummer Obi Jenne and double bassist Jakob Krupp. With great energy and enthusiasm, the trio blends classical and jazz.

Their repertoire includes original compositions and their own arrangements. It ranges from Beethoven, Ravel, and Nikolai Kapustin to songs by Kurt Weill, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein, as well as jazz standards by Duke Ellington and Chick Corea. With musical precision, creative freedom, and spontaneous improvisations, the Frank Dupree Trio blurs the boundaries between classical and jazz.

Proceeds from the benefit concert will benefit the “Donations Against Cancer” funding program, which supports innovative projects in applied cancer research at the NCT Heidelberg. Traditionally, guests purchase “measures” instead of tickets. With “Measures Against Cancer,” visitors help turn music into tangible aid with every measure they purchase. One measure costs 35 euros; a minimum of one measure is required for admission. Anyone who purchases more measures than the number of seats needed makes an additional contribution. Measures are available online at www.nct-takte.de.

Dirk Jäger, Executive Director at NCT Heidelberg and Head of the Department of Medical Oncology at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), says: “We thank everyone who comes to the concert and supports our work. Your contribution helps us research and implement better treatment options for our patients.”

Stefan Fröhling, Executive Director at NCT Heidelberg and Head of the Department of Translational Medical Oncology at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), says: “At the eleventh benefit concert, our guests can look forward to an extraordinary program featuring outstanding musicians. At the same time, by attending, they help advance innovative cancer treatment at NCT Heidelberg.”

Information at a Glance

When:
November 27, 2026, 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Where:
Karlstorbahnhof e.V., Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 3, 69126 Heidelberg

Performers:
Frank Dupree Trio:
Frank Dupree (piano, conductor), Obi Jenne (drums), Jakob Krupp (double bass)
https://www.frank-dupree.de/projects

Buy “beats”:
www.nct-takte.de or at the box office

Price:
35.00 euros per “beat”

Use of Proceeds:
Innovative projects in applied cancer research at the NCT Heidelberg
“Donations Against Cancer” funding program https://www.nct-heidelberg.de/das-nct/spenden/wie-ihre-spende-hilft/foerderprogramm-spenden-gegen-krebs.html

Patronage:
Eckart Würzner, Mayor of the City of Heidelberg

Contact:
Fundraising Office at NCT Heidelberg
Regina Hohmann, Tel.: 06221 56-36146
Andreas Klein, Tel.: 06221 425448
Email: fundraising(at)nct-heidelberg.de

An image accompanying this press release is available free of charge at:
https://www.nct-heidelberg.de/fileadmin/media/nct-heidelberg/news/pressemitteilungen/Takte_gegen_Krebs_2026_NCT_Heidelberg.jpeg

Terms of use for images accompanying press releases
Use is free of charge. The NCT Heidelberg permits one-time use in connection with reporting on the topic of the press release. Please cite the copyright “Foto: Marco Borggreve” as the image credit. The image material may only be passed on to third parties after prior consultation with NCT Communications (tel.: +49 6221 42-56311272, email: martin.staiger@nct-heidelberg.de). Use for commercial purposes is prohibited.

Press contact:
Dr. Martin Staiger
National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
Communications and Events
Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Tel.: +49 6221 56-311272
Email: martin.staiger(at)nct-heidelberg.de
www.nct-heidelberg.de
 

The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg

The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the University Hospital Heidelberg (UKHD), the Heidelberg Medical Faculty of the Heidelberg University and the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg. The aim of the NCT Heidelberg is to transfer promising approaches from cancer research into clinical practice as quickly as possible, and thus to benefit patients. This applies to both diagnosis and treatment, in aftercare or prevention. Participation in clinical studies opens up access to innovative therapies. The NCT Heidelberg is thus a leader in transferring new research results from the laboratory to the clinic The NCT Heidelberg, founded in 2004, is part of the NCT with further locations in Berlin, Dresden, SouthWest (Tübingen-Stuttgart/Ulm), WERA (Würzburg, Erlangen, Regensburg, Augsburg) and West (Essen/Cologne).

German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)

With more than 3,500 employees, the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is Germany’s largest biomedical research institute. DKFZ scientists identify cancer risk factors, investigate how cancer progresses and develop new cancer prevention strategies. They are also developing new methods to diagnose tumors more precisely and treat cancer patients more successfully. The DKFZ's Cancer Information Service (KID) provides patients, interested citizens and experts with individual answers to questions relating to cancer.

To transfer promising approaches from cancer research to the clinic and thus improve the prognosis of cancer patients, the DKFZ cooperates with excellent research institutions and university hospitals throughout Germany:

• National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT, 6 sites)  
• German Cancer Consortium (DKTK, 8 sites)
• Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ) Heidelberg
• Helmholtz Institute for Translational Oncology (HI-TRON Mainz) - A Helmholtz Institute of the DKFZ
• DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim
• National Cancer Prevention Center (jointly with German Cancer Aid) 

The DKFZ is 90 percent financed by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and 10 percent by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The DKFZ is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers.