A L'arme! Festival

Although Berlin is home to numerous musicians in the independent improvisation and contemporary jazz scene, jazz music is not as prevalent in the capital as it should be. What Berlin needs is a type of event which could match the significance of the Berlin Jazzfest. The A L'arme! Festival wanted to fill this niche in 2012. It sees itself continuing the tradition of the Berlin Total Music Meeting (1968 – 2008), the difference being its exclusive focus on contemporary, independent jazz. The artistic director Louis Rastig had developed a multifaceted programme, featuring 50 artists from Europe, the United States and Japan. In addition to major concerts and a solo performance by the New York jazz trumpeter Peter Evans, the festival also offered opportunities for more intimate musical encounters. For example, Radialsystem hosted deliberately spontaneous jam sessions at its studios, beginning with the performance of John Cage’s Water Walk by the Berlin pianist Andrea Neumann. Artistic director: Louis Rastig; Musicians: Peter Brötzmann, Michiyo Yagi (JP), Peter Evans (US), Irene Schweizer (CH), Mats Gustafsson (SE), Andrea Neumann, Ulrich Gumpert and others