Annual Reviews

Jazz 2022
 Increasingly vibrant, diverse, young, female & precarious

The German jazz scene is alive and well. Even after two years of Covid, it’s extremely diverse and innovative. On the other hand, despite various state “support packages”, hardly anyone in the scene made it through this dry spell unscathed. Clubs were shuttered, festivals, tours and concerts cancelled. Many highly qualified professionals in the event sector, especially technical and catering staff, have ended up working in other industries and only a few came back after the lockdown.

Jazz 2021
 German jazz emerges from Covid-induced state of shock

What is our music worth? The 2021 pandemic year called for a strategic mix of productive collaboration, political solidarity, solid networking and innovative individual approaches to jazz.

Jazz 2020
 On Distance and Self-placement

What happens when musicians and their audience have to keep their distance? Jazz festivals came up with various strategies to cope with that situation in the year of the coronavirus crisis. But even more auspicious are some ideas musicians themselves have come up with – for their own sake and for the future of improvised music. They deserve a hearing because their livelihoods really are at stake now.

Jazz 2019
 2010-2019: A decade that rang in the changes, festivals and collectives

What went down in German jazz last year? Tina Heine looks back on major anniversaries, the German Jazz Union's achievements and standout releases this past year – as well as jazz festivals over the past decade.

Jazz 2018
 Calm before or after the storm?

Although jazz is constantly renewing itself and expanding its horizons, it seems to have taken a breather in Germany last year. To consolidate for a while after all the high-octane developments in recent years? So as to really pull out all the stops soon?

Jazz 2017
 Taking a stand

The more recognition federal and state policymakers show for the creative output of the German jazz scene, the more jazz musicians engage in public discourse about issues of wider social import. Public recognition breeds confidence within the scene: German jazz musicians not only weighed in on a number of public issues in 2017, they even took a combative stand that got some of those debates going in the first place.

Jazz 2016
 Women play the lead!

The “Jazzstudie” Report published this spring confirmed what we all suspected, namely that jazz musicians earn very little. But the jazz scene is alive and well, thanks also to increased support from cultural and political institutions. 2016 saw a just barely rescued festival, an unexpected windfall, a renewed interest in jazz-rock, and the struggle for women’s rights – a look back at the year in jazz. 

Jazz 2015
 Creative troublemakers

Big band music made a resounding comeback, and the diversity of the German jazz scene exploded in 2015.

JAZZ 2014
 Thriving traditions and a fresh start

2014 was a jubilee year for German jazz. The Berlin Jazztage celebrated its 50th anniversary, whilst young up-and-coming jazz talents from all over the country took centre stage 25 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Meanwhile, new festival concepts wowed audiences from all walks of life.

Jazz 2013
 Stars and structural change

German jazz is in movement. Musicians are organizing and presenting themselves. The next generation is queuing up at institutions of higher education, clubs and festivals are looking at a young audience.

Jazz 2012
 A Spectre is Haunting Europe – The Spectre of the Unionised Jazz Musician!

There is a prevailing feeling of dissatisfaction among Germany’s jazz musicians – bur no sign of resignation. Arndt Weidler reports on recent developments in the German jazz scene.

Jazz 2011
 A “mega-express” to put more blue notes across

Jazz needs communicators and authors to show the same passion and proficiency its musical practitioners are already displaying.

Scene take-off

Seldom if ever before has German jazz been in such fine fettle as it was in 2010. Berlin garnered international regard as the hub of European jazz, and up-and-coming German jazzmen proved more adventurous and exuberant than ever.