Sebastian writes: 

Next week I’m off for the second year running to the Kesselhaus Kulturbrauerei (above) in Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin for the Jazzdor Strasbourg-Berlin Festival. The programming team based in Strasbourg and led by Philippe Ochem have put together another programme of varied triple-bills, in which (mainly) French and German musicians are combined, juxtaposed, where existing bands appear but also where new collaborations are instigated.

You get the sense of a European crossroads, an openness to influences from all over the place. A place to get a bit of distance from UKIPish isolationism, Farage and his ubiquitous pint.

Yup, I’ll enjoy this festival from the very first gig, having listened to – and recently raved about – accordionist Vincent Peirani‘s album Thrill Box. It will be fascinating to hear Maggie Nicols in the company of two Frenchmen; and the trio of young Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser, French guitarist Marc Ducret and the Danish drummer (from Django Bates’ trio) Peter Bruun on its second-ever outing is going to produce unfettered energy.

Programme:

Weds 5th June:

Michel Portal and Vincent Peirani, 20:00 – 21:00
Samuel Blaser/Marc Ducret/Peter Brunn, 21:00 – 22:00
Denis Badault H3B, 22:00 – 23:00

Thurs 6th June:
Actuum, 20:00 – 21:00
Denis Charolles/Maggie Nicols/David Chevallier, 21:00 – 22:00
Heinz Sauer/Daniel Erdmann/Johannes Fink/Christophe Marguet “Special Relativity” 22:00 – 23:00

Fri 7th June:
Wu Wei and Pascal Content, 20:00 – 21:00
Gueorgui Kornazov Horizons Quintet, 21:00 – 22:00
European Saxophone Ensemble, 22:00 – 23:00

Sat 8th June:
Joëlle Léandre and Vincent Courtois, 20:00 – 21:00
J.A.S.S., 21:00 – 22:00
Antoine Berjeaut Wasteland feat. Mike Ladd, 22:00 – 23:00

Festival Jazzdor Strasbourg-Berlin