Jazzfest Berlin 2025

Where Will You Run When the World’s on Fire?With the world in turmoil, the legendary guitarist Marc Ribot asks on his new album, “Map of a Blue City”: Where will you run when the world’s on fire? And as if responding musically, trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith and pianist Vijay Iyer pay tribute to rebellion on their album “Defiant Life”, its songs a meditative balm for a world full of suffering and despair. In light of global crises and turbulent times, this year’s Jazzfest Berlin is welcoming 120 international musicians from more than 20 countries to Berlin, spanning an artistically diverse range, from free improvisation to hip-hop and noise, from lyrical and melancholic tones to distorted guitar sounds and stuttering beats, and from introverted solo sets to thundering large ensembles. Across four days, 27 acts featuring exceptional artists who have shaped the style of jazz history will share the stage with up-and-coming voices to celebrate the international music community at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, A-Trane, Quasimodo and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Where will you run when the world’s on fire? Into dreams of blue corals (Patricia Brennan), to the Tannhauser Gate (Niescier/ Reid/ Salem) or into the deliverance of abstraction (James Brandon Lewis) – these are the sounds emanating from the counterworlds of the 62nd edition of Jazzfest Berlin. Acting as a bridge between different worlds, Jazzfest Berlin focuses on bringing together people from very different backgrounds and walks of life. In an age of declining social trust, the festival is more committed than ever to promoting a global understanding of solidarity, acceptance and diversity – values that have been enshrined in its mission since its founding in 1964. Now for the third year, the festival is continuing its participatory research and outreach activities in collaboration with a steadily growing community from the city’s civil society. Jazz musicians and artists meet Berliners of all ages to develop projects and ideas through dialogue, addressing pressing issues of our time – such as the shaping of a pluralistic society, origin and belonging. Join us in celebrating the 62nd edition of the festival!