Suche
Mein Konto
Jazzfest Berlin 2025: Where music puts out flames!
Jazzfest Berlin 2025 starts on October 30th with 120 international artists. The focus is on topics such as social challenges.
Jazzfest Berlin 2025: Where music puts out flames!
On October 30, 2025, the Berlin Jazz Festival opens its doors and promises to transform the capital into a musical stronghold. Under the motto “Where do you run, when the world’s on fire” – taken from a song by Marc Ribot – the Berliner Festspiele festival keeps an eye on the social challenges of today. Festival director Nadin Deventer explains that the music offers a space to reflect emotional challenges that are also relevant in our turbulent times. This underlines the importance of jazz, which acts as a boundary between art and society and can provide new impulses in these turbulent times.
The festival, one of the most important events of its kind in the world, begins on Wednesday evening in the Haus der Berliner Festspiele. With over 120 artists from more than 20 countries, the diversity of the acts is another highlight. The focus is on both new discoveries and established players. Legends such as David Murray, Wadada Leo Smith and Barry Guy will perform concerts during the Fire! Orchestra under the direction of Mats Gustafsson is also on the program.
Variety of programs
Nobody misses the opening of the jazz festival: on the first evening, Angelika Niescier (alto saxophone), Tomeka Reid (cello) and Eliza Salem (drums) will perform, followed by Felix Henkelhausen with Deranged Particles and Wadada Leo Smith, who will also hold an artist talk in the Bornemann Bar. Almost all concerts are already sold out, but the festival still has many surprises in store.
On Friday evening, Signe Emmeluth will be on stage with her new septet, followed by the German premiere of the David Murray Quartet. There will be a special treat for the closing ceremonies on Saturday: Patricia Brennan will close the program with the German premiere of her septet and Mary Halvorson will present her Amaryllis Sextet.
Community and exchange
Another important aspect of the Jazz Festival is the community work that continues in Moabit. Music enthusiasts can experience live performances in small shops with free admission, while young people can work on a music film with artists from the neighborhood. The Jazzfest Community Week, which began on Monday with a concert at PAS Berlin, aims to promote cultural participation and make the jazz experience accessible to everyone.
Free artist talks at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele as well as workshops and concerts at the Jazz Institute Berlin and in clubs such as A-Trane and Quasimodo are also planned throughout the festival days. The Albert Mangelsdorff Prize will be awarded to the renowned artist Lauren Newton on November 1st, while the festival will conclude on November 2nd with a concert in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
As Matthias Pees, the director of the Berlin Festival, emphasizes, music not only brings joy, but also promotes emotional reflection - especially at a time when the world often seems to be descending into chaos. The Jazzfest Berlin offers the perfect stage to bring about positive change through sound and rhythm.
The event is an absolute must for jazz lovers and culture enthusiasts, and if you don't have the festival on your schedule yet, you should be quick. Tickets are in high demand! daily news and Berlin Festival follow the events and report daily on the highlights of the festival.