jembaa groove

OFFKEY reports back from the heart of Kreuzberg, where jazz wasn’t just played—it was lived, stretched, bent, and reimagined at XJAZZ! 2025. Over five days, the festival transformed Berlin into a humming epicenter of improvisation, resistance, and radical joy. From breakout debuts to soul-igniting jam sessions, we witnessed a city vibrating in rhythm with a global community of artists and listeners.

Once again, we have the pleasure of covering one of Berlin’s festival gems: XJAZZ!. This year, the festival returns for a bold new edition, running from May 14 to 18 at Festsaal Kreuzberg and surrounding venues. With a finger always on the pulse of boundary-pushing sound and community-driven energy, XJAZZ! 2025 promises to be a week-long celebration of everything that makes Berlin’s music scene so electrifying — and so globally relevant.