What is the shape of jazz in 2026? If Xjazz! (18-31.05.2026) is any indication, it’s international, groovy and infused with electronics. The cross-genre jazz gathering is back with a weekend of concerts and club events after funding cuts forced the cancellation of this year’s full-scale festival. Despite the pared-back program, there’s plenty to train your ears on, starting with a duo performance next Thursday by Mercury Prize-nominated British pianist Kit Downes and French flautist Delphine Joussein at the Emmauskirche on Lausitzer Platz (28.05). On Friday, the line-up leans into electronic music culture even more with a takeover by Neukölln station Refuge Worldwide featuring DJ Maryisonacid (29.05).
Onto Saturday and one of the program highlights: the groove-heavy jazz/soul/hip-hop from brilliant Berlin-based threesome Moses Yoofee Trio who are headlining Festsaal Kreuzberg (30.05). After the concert you can drift across the bridge to Marmor Bar where club collective Shush is hosting the afterparty (from 23h). On Sunday the weekend winds down with yoga at Adidas Sports Base – then builds back up for a final bop with DJs at CDV’s event space Sonnenraum(times tba). If all that sounds like a lot of jamming for a jazz festival, you’d be right: this event is post-genre and definitely not afraid of the dancefloor…
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Akim Karpach, Kostiantyn Borovsky
Xjazz! Weekender (28.–31.05.2026) – tickets are available on the website.
@xjazzberlin
