One of my obvious takeaways from taking on the role of running the UK’s presence at the jazzahead! trade fair last month is the constant demand for independently-minded UK and UK-connected acts and artists all across Northern Europe.
Evidence to support that impression does not come more clear or convincing than this little list of NINE acts performing at the tenth XJAZZ! FESTIVAL, currently underway in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin – A thank you to the organisers – (both of whom also happen to be called Sebastian…) for pointing this out to us.
SHABAKA
Portico Quartet
Joe Armon-Jones
Nubiyan Twist
ENEMY
Bex Burch
Nightmares On Wax CBS25
Otis Mensah
Nala Sinephro
This is the festival’s tenth edition.
As founder and artistic director, Sebastian Studnitzky says “The idea was to develop a jazz festival format which represents a clear antithesis to the established German jazz culture,”
XJAZZ!’s managing director Sebastian Hecht: “With XJAZZ!, we want to be much more than “just” a festival. We try to provide a platform for the entire scene, which goes far beyond just concerts for us. We try to keep the doors open for dialogues and collaborations well after the festival’s last day.”
We also note that an album presenting the sound of the festival is on its way. The press release states: In celebration of the anniversary, the XJAZZ! team, in collaboration with Brewery Studios, has prepared a special project – an album featuring over 30 Berlin-based artists (including Moses Yoofee Trio, Sera Kalo, Wayne Snow, Zeitgeist Freedom Exchange…) and captures the current jazz sound in 10 new pieces. Entangled Grounds: The Sound of XJAZZ! Berlin offers not only a glimpse into the vibrant jazz landscape of the city but also an opportunity to discover familiar artists in exciting new collaborations.”
Our congratulations and VERY best wishes for a successful festival to the organisers. And thanks for the interest, knowledge and listening which goes into booking so many bands from these islands.
