With Hazel Miller, Cymin Samawatie and Alexander Hawkins Moderation: Nadin Deventer

Jazzfest Berlin

Jazzfest Berlin 2015

Künstlergespräch Samawatie Hawkins

Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Kassenhalle

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Jazzfest Berlin 2026

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Berliner Festspiele 75

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Jazzfest Berlin is one of Europe's oldest and most renowned festivals of its kind. It aims to provide a platform for up-and-coming artists and to convey the continuing vitality of jazz as an art form.

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Jazzfest Berlin 2025

Today’s Events

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The programme will be published in September.

Concerts, Community &amp; Outreach, Workshops, Films, Jam Sessions, Discourse

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Playlist Jazzfest 2026

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The 63rd edition of Jazzfest Berlin runs from 29&nbsp;October to 1&nbsp;November 2026 at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele and in its neighbouring venues A-Trane, Quasimodo and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The concert programme features 24&nbsp;acts, including four world premieres, two European premieres and five German premieres. In total, over 130&nbsp;artists from more than 25&nbsp;countries, including international voices from the Berlin scene, are coming together to celebrate the global jazz community.The focus on community is also reflected in the cross-generational programme. The award-winning short film <a href="https://www.berlinerfestspiele.de/en/jazzfest-berlin/programm/2025/community-week/jazzfest-community-film-lab#film" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DREAM BABY DREAM</a> – shot as part of last year’s <a href="https://www.berlinerfestspiele.de/en/jazzfest-berlin/programm/2025/community-week" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jazzfest Community Week</a> with 60 children, teenagers and adults – premiered in Washington D.C. in late April and is screening at numerous music and film festivals both in Germany and abroad as well as at the opening of Jazzfest Berlin 2026 at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele.&nbsp;Once again the line-up welcomes audiences to make new discoveries and features outstanding representatives from a variety of scenes, spanning a highly diverse cultural and musical landscape. At the same time, it celebrates two pioneering voices – Anthony Braxton and Alexander von Schlippenbach – who have shaped the global scene for decades including a regular presence at Jazzfest Berlin.And so 50 years after his <a href="https://archive.berlinerfestspiele.de/en/jazzfest/events/bfs-mediathek/Jazzfest-Berlin/1964-2003/1976/Anthony-Braxton-Quartet?bpid=2936017151&amp;nlid=3201513448&amp;mid=2680770860&amp;chk=211mm2AAmx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jazzfest Berlin debut</a> and seven years after his impressive <a href="https://www.berlinerfestspiele.de/en/jazzfest-berlin/programm/2019/anthony-braxtons-sonic-genome" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sonic Genome</a> at Gropius Bau, Braxton is back at the festival: in addition to the opening concert at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele with the Anthony Braxton Septet – formed especially for this occasion – he will also be leading a workshop over the course of several days for students at the Jazz Institute Berlin (JIB). Under the guidance of this style-defining composer and multi-instrumentalist, the students will come together to form the Creative Music Orchestra, and their concert in the Georg-Neumann-Saal at the JIB will be a highlight of this year’s Jazzfest Community Week.&nbsp;Alexander von Schlippenbach, who <a href="https://archive.berlinerfestspiele.de/en/jazzfest/events/bfs-mediathek/Jazzfest-Berlin/1964-2003/1966/Alexander-von-Schlippenbach---Globe-Unity-" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">founded the groundbreaking Globe Unity Orchestra in 1966</a> following a commission to compose for what was then called Berliner Jazztage, will bring the festival to a splendid close on Sunday at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele with an anniversary concert 60 years later – in the old formation, but with a new line-up of musicians including George Lewis, Aki Takase and Evan Parker.<h3>With</h3><a href="https://alexanderhawkinsintakt.bandcamp.com/music" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alexander Hawkins Willow Music</a> (European premiere) <a href="https://amirelsaffartworivers.bandcamp.com/album/new-quartet-live-at-pierre-boulez-saal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Amir ElSaffar New Quartet&nbsp;</a> <a href="https://tricentricfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anthony Braxton Septet</a> (World premiere) <a href="https://www.camilanebbia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Camila Nebbia Large Ensemble</a>: the darkness, overwhelming and imposing, compelled me to light my own fires (World premiere) <a href="https://chessmith.bandcamp.com/album/clone-row" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ches Smith: Clone Row</a> <a href="https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/hyperglyph" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CHICAGO UNDERGROUND Duo</a> <a href="https://plaist.bandcamp.com/album/open-form-for-society-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christian Lillinger’s Open Form For Society II</a> (World premiere) <a href="https://sailcabinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/elin-forkelid-plays-for-trane" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Elin Forkelid Plays For Trane</a> (German premiere) <a href="https://mariaportugal.bandcamp.com/album/erosa-o-percussion-trio" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EROSÃO PERCUSSION TRIO</a> <a href="https://ganavya.bandcamp.com/album/nilam-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ganavya</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://alexandervonschlippenbach.bandcamp.com/album/globe-unity-50-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Globe Unity Orchestra</a>: Apokalyptische Nabelschau <a href="https://georggraewe.bandcamp.com/album/more-than-anything" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Graewe / Jones / Drake</a> (German premiere) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo2MkmNMyZ8&amp;list=PLEz_mLoNZMeQQ9vuTLvxvdO0cxEJ5Gx2_" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Immanuel Wilkins Quartet</a> <a href="https://ingebrigtflaten.bandcamp.com/album/drops-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (Exit) Knarr</a> (German premiere) <a href="https://karolinewallace.bandcamp.com/album/eon" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Karoline Wallace: Eon</a> (German premiere) <a href="https://laurajurd.bandcamp.com/album/rites-revelations-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Laura Jurd: Rites &amp; Revelations</a> <a href="https://matthiasmuche.bandcamp.com/album/bonecrusher" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Matthias Muche BONECRUSHER</a>: Densities – 12 trombones and percussion Melting Pot with <a href="https://www.harouniqbal.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Haroun Iqbal</a>, <a href="https://www.heidikvelvane.no/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Heidi Kvelvane</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mikikontrabas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mikolaj Nowicki</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/raigaaaaan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Raiga Hayashi</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3NLiA_LcIc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Otomo Yoshihide New Jazz Quintet</a> <a href="https://sheentrio1.bandcamp.com/album/transitory" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sheen Trio: Transitory</a> <a href="https://outofyourheadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dance-skip-hop" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Tomeka Reid Quartet: dance! skip! hop!</a> <a href="https://shiftingparadigmrecords.bandcamp.com/album/twin-talk-live" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twin Talk</a>: Delights (World premiere) <a href="https://wendyeisenberg.bandcamp.com/album/wendy-eisenberg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wendy Eisenberg: Wendy Eisenberg</a> (European premiere) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-YPo4yf-Qs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">i Ya voy !</a>: Miraflores (German premiere)Building on the idea of jazz as a unifying force and a space for exchange, this year’s Jazzfest Community Week, running from 26 October to 1 November, will once again feature numerous free events in the neighbouring Moabit district: two Jazzfest ImproLabs for children, several lunch concerts and neighbourhood sessions, a Creative Music Workshop with Anthony Braxton and students from the Jazz Institute Berlin, and a closing community weekend. The opening of the Jazzfest Community Week will once again take place on 26 October at PAS Berlin (Petersburg Art Space).Partners of the Jazzfest Community Week: <a href="https://www.jazz-institut-berlin.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jazz Institut Berlin</a> | <a href="https://kallasch.berlin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kallasch&amp;</a> | <a href="https://kukumu-berlin.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">KUKUMU</a> | <a href="http://kulturfabrik-moabit.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kulturfabrik Moabit</a> | <a href="https://mullewapp.berlin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mullewapp e. V. &amp; Miriam-Makeba-Grundschule</a> | <a href="https://moabiter-ratschlag.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moabiter Ratschlag e. V.</a> : <a href="https://moabiter-ratschlag.de/orte/otto-spielplatz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OTTO-Spielplatz</a>, <a href="https://moabiter-ratschlag.de/orte/otto-spielplatz-kulturmanege-moabit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kulturmanege Moabit</a> |  <a href="https://pas-berlin.org/pas-eng/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">PAS</a> | <a href="http://www.sos-berlin.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SOS-Kinderdorf Berlin: Familienzentrum / Mehrgenerationenhaus</a> | <a href="https://thgberlin.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Theodor-Heuss-Gemeinschaftsschule</a> and many moreThe Jazzfest Community Week is funded by Berliner Sparkasse.Thanks to the cooperation with the ARD radio network and Deutschlandradio, this year it will once again be possible to experience the festival on air through a series of live concert recordings and the ARD Jazznacht.As of 2.7.2026, programme is subject to change &nbsp;

Jazzfest Berlin 2026: Line-up Preview

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The database comprises all artists and bands from Jazzfest Berlin since 1964.

Artists’ Archive from 1964

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Have a look at all Jazzfest Berlin posters since 1964.

Posters from 1964

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Programm 30.10.2025

Programme 30.10.

Programme Thursday, 30.10.2025

Thursday, 30.10.

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Programm 31.10.2025

Programme 31.10.

Programme Friday, 31.10.2025

Friday, 31.10.

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Programm 1.11.2025

Programme 1.11.

Programme Saturday, 1.11.2025

Saturday, 1.11.

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Programm 2.11.2025

Programme 2.11.

Programme Sunday, 2.11.2025

Sunday, 2.11.

Daily Programme

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As part of its community and outreach programme, Jazzfest Berlin collaborates with local partners and festival musicians. A film project, a community ensemble, children’s workshops, and a diverse programme for emerging artists and scholars invite audiences and neighbours to become part of the festival.&nbsp;

Jazzfest Community Week

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For more than five decades, Gabriele St&ouml;tzer has been grappling with questions of justice, gender and self-determination. Opening at Gropius Bau in June 2026,&nbsp;Dabei sein und nicht schweigen&nbsp;(Showing up and Not Remaining Silent)&nbsp;is the artist’s largest institutional solo exhibition to date.

Gabriele St&ouml;tzer: Dabei sein und nicht schweigen

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The Great Disorder

The third edition of Reflexes &amp; Reflections, curated by Saba Nur Cheema and Meron Mendel, marks the 75th&nbsp;anniversary of the Berliner Festspiele and explores the impact of current geopolitical upheavals on open societies.

Reflexe &amp; Reflexionen

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The Musikfest Berlin brings together leading international orchestras, renowned conductors and outstanding soloists in a diverse concert programme – ranging from opera productions to contemporary works. Advance tickets are available.

Musikfest Berlin

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Through contributions to the programmes of various festivals, as well as a specially developed project unfolding in urban space, the Berliner Festspiele place a particular focus on performative and musical arts from Japan in their anniversary season.

Focus Japan

More Berliner Festspiele

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To mark the 75th anniversary of the Berliner Festspiele, the artist Akira Takayama invites the public to take guided tours on the Berlin Ringbahn that will enable them to encounter ghosts of alternative futures.

What If Berlin

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Jazzfest Berlin 2024 took place from 31&nbsp;October to 3&nbsp;November. To mark its 60th&nbsp;anniversary, the festival reflected on its rich history and plotted ideas for the future.

Jazzfest Berlin 2024

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Thanks to the cooperation with the ARD radio network and Deutschlandradio, this year it will once again be possible to experience the festival on air through a series of live concert recordings and the long ARD JazzNacht.&nbsp;

Jazzfest Berlin Live&nbsp;On&nbsp;Air

In light of global crises and turbulent times, this year’s Jazzfest Berlin is welcoming 120 international musicians from more than 20 countries to Berlin, spanning an artistically diverse range, from free improvisation to hip-hop and noise, from lyrical and melancholic tones to distorted guitar sounds and stuttering beats, and from introverted solo sets to thundering large ensembles. Across four days, 27 acts featuring exceptional artists who have shaped the style of jazz history will share the stage with up-and-coming voices to celebrate the international music community at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, A-Trane, Quasimodo and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.&nbsp;Where will you run when the world’s on fire? Into dreams of blue corals (Patricia Brennan), to the Tannhauser Gate (Niescier/ Reid/ Salem) or into the deliverance of abstraction (James Brandon Lewis) – these are the sounds emanating from the counterworlds of the 62nd edition of Jazzfest Berlin.&nbsp;Acting as a bridge between different worlds, Jazzfest Berlin focuses on bringing together people from very different backgrounds and walks of life. In an age of declining social trust, the festival is more committed than ever to promoting a global understanding of solidarity, acceptance and diversity – values that have been enshrined in its mission since its founding in 1964.&nbsp;Now for the third year, the festival is continuing its participatory research and outreach activities in collaboration with a steadily growing community from the city’s civil society. Jazz musicians and artists meet Berliners of all ages to develop projects and ideas through dialogue, addressing pressing issues of our time – such as the shaping of a pluralistic society, origin and belonging.&nbsp;Join us in celebrating the 62nd edition of the festival!&nbsp;

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With the world in turmoil, the legendary guitarist Marc Ribot asks on his new album, “Map of a Blue City”: Where will you run when the world’s on fire? And as if responding musically, trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith and pianist Vijay Iyer pay tribute to rebellion on their album “Defiant Life”, its songs a meditative balm for a world full of suffering and despair.&nbsp;

Where Will You Run When the World’s on Fire?

Trailer Jazzfest Berlin 2025, Design: 3pc, Music: MOPCUT – SISMICA

Jazzfest Berlin 2025: Trailer

Trailer Jazzfest Berlin 2025, Design: 3pc

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To mark its 60th anniversary, Jazzfest Berlin was celebrating the cultural diversity of the neighbouring district of Moabit in collaboration with 38&nbsp;official partners and initiatives and with over 350&nbsp;participants of all ages. In June&nbsp;2024, interviews were conducted with 20&nbsp;partners who presented their perspectives, wishes and ideas for the Jazzfest Community Lab Moabit. You can get an impression with this film.

Introducing: Jazzfest Community Lab Moabit

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In two seminars during the summer semester of 2024, students from the Berlin University of the Arts and the University of Hildesheim have explored the festival’s history from various perspectives. In this film, the participants give a first look at how they dealt with their research subject.

Introducing: Jazzfest Research Lab

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For the Jazzfest Research Lab, Dr. Kristin McGee spoke with Terri Lyne Carrington and Kris Davis about their perspectives on the jazz scene and how it developed, as well as the impetus for founding the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.

Interview: Dr. Kristin McGee with Terri Lyne Carrington and Kris Davis

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At the centre of the large-scale Jazzfest Community Lab Moabit were the people of Moabit, their musical and cultural backgrounds, their stories, initiatives, origins and their personal wishes for the future. The film accompanies the protagonists during this extraordinary festival week and brings the cultural diversity of the district of Berlin-Moabit to life.

Exploring: Jazzfest Community Lab Moabit 2024

In the Media Library

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Jazzfest Berlin 2025: Impressionen

Jazzfest Berlin 2025: Impressions

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Impressions

Jazzfest Berlin 2025

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Jazzfest Berlin 2024 is one of four festivals to be nominated for the German Jazz Prize in the Festival of the Year category.

Nominated for the German Jazz Prize 2025

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Upcoming Events

Jazzfest Berlin is one of Europe’s oldest and most renowned festivals of its kind. It aspires to provide a platform for upcoming artists and to convey the enduring vitality of jazz as an art form.