jazz

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.

Is it Jazz? Is it Hip Hop? Soul, RnB, Reggae or House? We Out Here festival 2024 unites voices from across the jazz spectrum including artists like André 3000, Yaya Bey, Sampha, and aja monet. A dense lineup, yet the festival leaves enough space to dance. Anna Grubauer shares her experiences at We Out Here.

This year, the Berliner XJAZZ! Festival premiered their first album. "Entangled Grounds" is a collaborative effort, much in the spirit of the event. Each song features a different artist from the local jazz scene and their (re)interpretations of the genre. Anna Grubauer experienced the festival and spoke to artists and organisers about the recording process.