jazz

Hungarian-born, Berlin-based producer and musician Àbáse is part of a new wave redefining the city’s live music scene blending Afrobeat, Brazilian rhythms, and electronic textures into something entirely his own. Anna Grubauer caught up with him ahead of his XJAZZ! performance to talk collaboration, evolution, and the ever-shifting notion of jazz.

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.

It's been less than two years since we last spoke to Enkhjargal Erkhembayar, known as Enji, about her career-defining album "Ulaan". Now, the artist released her fourth album, "Sonor", a beautiful tale of existing between two worlds. Anna Grubauer caught up with Enji to discuss the new record, concepts of home, and living in and embracing the in-between.

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.

OFFKEY editor Felicia Aghaye spoke to London's own Greentea Peng about her newest project "Tell Dem It's Sunny". Embarking on a journey to the self, the new record sees the singer turning inward, moving away from the outward reflections her debut "Man Made" featured, and instead, explores the cycles of growth, identity, and acceptance.

The Ukrainian singer and composer Ganna Gryniva retells stories from Ukrainian folklore. Based in Berlin, she elaborates on tradition with jazz and electronic elements like loops and synthesisers. In conversation with Sophie Romy, she speaks about her songwriting process and her ways of incorporating tradition into music.

On his latest EP "Tränen", Berliner rapper and multi-instrumentalist BRKN ventures further into the deep waters of self-reflection, encountering new sounds and epiphanies on his way. With Felicia Aghaye, he spoke about new music, growth and the shedding of inhibitions.

The Londoner Ezra Collective take their new record "Dance, No One's Watching" on tour. After a concert filled to the brim with rhythm, funk, groove and joy, NBHAP editor Felicia reports from the festivities in Berlin.