Archie Shepp heads up memorable Jazzfest Berlin

Its first edition in 1964 was opened by Dr Martin Luther King and this was recalled now by Elliott Sharp (pictured bottom) through music, visuals and the words of Dr King. Sharp’s searing slide guitar intertwined with the voices and poetry of Eric Mingus and Tracie Morris in a powerful statement that set an agenda for the next four days. Already lauded as an important young drummer on the German scene, Eva Klesse (pictured below) revealed her exceptional writing skills in a series of six compelling pieces with her quartet. Like changing weather patterns, she can follow a delicate bass/piano duet with a steaming “out” alto sax solo or a powerful drum solo, but never undermining the overall narrative.

Their Bristolian charm and wit of Get the Blessing quickly won theheartsof theBerlin audience and ensured its rapt attention for their unique blend of free jazz, hip-hop, electronica, looping and soul-section trumpet/tenor interplay. For all their casual, downbeat demeanour, this tight, well-rehearsed unit has crafted their ideas with great care and their music carried a real punch. Soweto Kinch was the next Brit to woo the Berlin audience and this he did with his virtuosic rap skills (who else can articulate words with such clarity at such speed?) and his freestyle rap B-e-r-l-i-n. Ably assisted by Nick Jurd (bass) and the award-winning Moses Boyd (drums), Soweto also reminded the audience that he is a highly original saxophone improviser.

Making his 18th appearance at the Jazzfest Berlin, veteran Swiss drummer Daniel Humair’s quartet featured not only the extraordinary interplay between alto saxophonist Emile Parisien and accordionist Vincent Perirani, but the superb compositions of Humair himself. But perhaps the most memorable event of the festival was the duet of Archie Shepp (pictured top) and Jasper Van’t Hof playing to 1,000 people in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on the Saturday afternoon. Their music spoke for everyone.

– Charles Alexander

– Photos Copyright © Matthias Creutziger (middle and bottom photos)