“It Must Schwing!” and More at JazzFest Berlin ’09….
This years jazzfest takes place from November 4th to 8th, and is organized around the theme: “
Blue Note: 70 years.” The founders of the renowned jazz label,
Alfred Lion (“It Must Schwing!”) and
Francis Wolff, were both Berlin natives, and they emigrated to the United States in the 1930s.
Alongside this musical main course,
Nils Landgren
- the Artistic Director of JazzFest Berlin – has included some
additional hors d’oeuvres in the festival menu in keeping to his
time-tested motto: “show good music.” Among these is a colorful
“smorgasbord” of the Scandinavian bands that have featured so
prominently since the beginning of Landgren’s tenure, including the
Tingvall Trio, the
Ensemble Denada, Mathias Eick, and Arild Andersen.
The jazz of northern Europe finds its counterpart in South Africa’s
post-Apartheid generation of musicians: presented at Thursday evening’s
concert will be percussionist and famed instructor Dizu Plaatjies and
Afro Soul singer Lira.
New Orleans has been a source of constant inspiration For Nils
Landgren, and remains close to his heart. Featured besides the
above-mentioned opening event featuring Terence Blanchard is John
Scofield’s Piety Street Band at the festival’s close, who follow up the
Berlin “Schwing” of the preceding days by giving us a taste of their
“I’ll fly away” swing.
Take a look at this year´s
programm. You can order your tickets
ONLINE.
Legendary jazz label Blue Note Records was founded 1939 in
New York by Jewish emigrants Alfred Lion und Francis Wolff. Both had
grown up in Berlin, both had been passionate jazz fans since their
early ages and both were proud owners of substantial record
collections. Jazz to them was not just music but an entire lifestyle –
according to Alfred Lion’s creed: “It must schwing”.
The exhibition shows photographs by Francis Wolff who used to
document the recordings, creating a unique photo galery of famous jazz
musician’s portraits. Amongst them portraits of John Coltrane, Art
Blakey, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk,
Bud Powell, Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver and Jimmy Smith.
Additionally, the newer history of Blue Note is documented through photographs of Jimmy Katz, the label’s photographer since 1993.
A special exhibition of the Jewish Museum Berlin!!!
Still looking for a nice and cosy hostel to sleep during your Berlin-city-trip? Check out the EastSeven
Berlin Hostel, we have some nice video´s on
youtube, that might give you a good impression of the hostel. For more cool events in Berlin check out our
staff recommendations online, Hope to see you soon in Berlin!