One of the reasons that I love jazz is also the reason why it’s so hard to (preemptively) write about it — it has no rules. A live jazz concert is improvised, bouncing off the energy of the crowd and never to be played the same way twice. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure to be a part of a live jazz concert, you’re in luck. The Jazzfest Berlin will bring together about 200 musicians from 15 countries to the city for a four-day party. On opening night, legendary pioneer of Chicago’s 60s free jazz scene Anthony Braxton will premier his latest project “Sonic Genome”, an immersive six-hour performance featuring 60 (!) musicians at the Gropius Bau. Other events worth highlighting are the Late Night Labs, where three independent bands will share the stage of the Berliner Festspiele, and a concert with Berlin drummer and composer Christian Lillinger, winner of the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik 3-2019. We can’t tell you exactly what to expect — listen, dance and let the vibe transport you to a different time and place for a while. (Text: Emily Miotke / Photos: Camille Blake, Diane Allford)
31.10–03.11.2019
Various times and locations
