Thursday Oct 2nd

Opening Party @  LOVELITE

Haasestr. 1, 10235 Berlin

19:00 - 20:00 Taster
20:00 - 22:00 Live Music feat.

  Marcos Coll & Remi Bankyln

22:00 - 2:00 DJ’d Music by:

  Fluff-Izzy-Brenda-Nadja

… tell your friends and come back tomorrow

Friday Oct 3rd

Happy Hour Party @  Nou Tango

Chausseestrasse 102,  10115 Berlin

14:00 - 15:00 Tasters

15:00 - 17:00 live music feat. Stef Rosen

… take a nap and have a nice dinner, see you soon

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Evening Party @  STUDIOBÜHNE ALTE FEUERWACHE

Marchlewskistr. 6, 10234 Berlin

20:00 - 21:00 Taster

21:00 - 23:00 Live Music feat. Will Jacobs Band
23:00 - 1:00 DJ’d Music by:

Thierry-Nadja

… have a lay in and a lovely brunch, 

    then join us for practice and happy hour party.

Saturday Oct 4

Happy Hour Party @  Nou Tango

Chausseestrasse 102,  10115 Berlin

13:00 - 14:00 Tasters

14:00 - 15:00 Tasters

15:00 - 17:00 Live music feat. Remi Bankyln

... get some dinner and come back!

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Evening Party @  Nou Tango

Chausseestrasse 102,  10115 Berlin

20:00 - 21:00 Tasters

21:00 - 00:00 Live Music feat. Stef Rosen

00:00 - 2:00 Fusion & Blues DJs in 2 Rooms

Malcolm-Weronika-Fluff-Greg-Brenda

... get some sleep now

Sunday Oct 5

Gospel Brunch Party @  Nou Tango

Chausseestrasse 102,  10115 Berlin

11:00 - 12:00 Taster

12:00 - 14:00 live music feat.

Lars Vegas, Ben 'King' Perkoff, McKinley Moore and Ernie Schmiedel

…  enjoy your free afternoon and join us for the evening party

.-----------

Closing Party @ SALÖÖN

Holzmarktstr. 25, 10234 Berlin

19:00 - 20:00 Taster

20:00 - 23:00 Live Music feat. Marcos Coll &

  Remy Bankyln, Jamsession

23:00 - 2:00 DJ'd Music by:

Fluff-Thierry-Weronika

… Thank You!! And until Next Year!!

Will Jacobs Band

Known for his powerful, live performances, Ruf Records recording artist WILL JACOBS is a modern Blues/Soul/R&B artist from Chicago, Illinois USA. At 30 years old, he's no stranger to performance stages having honed his chops the old-fashioned way – experience. 

His early teens were spent gigging in Chicago clubs backing many of the city's finest blues men and women (while at the same time playing in a Grammy-winning, high school jazz band.)

In 2009, he attracts local and international attention with his first band (Dirty Deal), performing at the International Blues Showcase in Memphis, Tennessee after having won Chicago’s Windy City Blues Challenge (Youth Division). His band leaves their mark due to Will’s mature improvisational skills and vocal talents, coupled with its deep, blues-infused sound. These experiences lead to studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, more gigging, composing and session work in Chicago, a musical residency in Sri Lanka, as well as touring with renown, Zydeco artist C.J. Chenier.

Making the jump across the pond to Europe in mid-2016, Will begins performing and sharing his dynamic blues sound in Berlin, Germany and throughout Europe. Tours with his own band, collaborations with Hohner-endorsee Marcos Coll (with whom he releases “Takin’ Our Time” ©2019) and gigging with other well-respected EU artists such as Lionel Haas, David “Fingers” Haynes, Breezy Rodio, Martin Stumpf, Stef Rosen, and Gary Wiggins.

Within a few short years, Will has logged performances at festivals and clubs in Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the US. 

In 2022, the well-respected Ruf Records label adds Will to their artist roster and immediately inserts him into their Blues Caravan Spring tour alongside Ghalia Volt and Whitney Shea. Ruf Records releases his “Goldfish Blues” album (©Nov2022) which receives strong reviews and garners him new fans online and across the EU and USA. 2023 brings another busy year with his own band plus 16 weeks touring with Rufs Blues Caravan (this time with Ally Venable and Ashley Sherlock.)

Whether playing clubs or festivals, working solo or collaborating other world-class musicians, Will strives to bring his energy, creativity and passion to every stage.

Photo by Marcos Reinoso

Remi Bankyln

London based blues vocalist and guitar player shares the love for the golden era of early fifties blues made popular by bluesman such as Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Little Walter, Elmore James, B.B King among others. Music that would shape and sharpen what was to come and serve as the foundation of western music becoming a truly timeless genre.

Remi has had the pleasure to play and share stage with UK legend Big Joe Louis, one of the most  respected blues artists in the UK. Also opened for names such a Cedric Burnside (grandson of R.L Burnside) & Mud Morganfield (eldest son of Muddy Waters).

Stef Rosen

Born and raised in a small village in the north Italian mountains, musically grown between Chicago and Berlin, Stef Rosen is considered one of the most innovative and genuine blues players that have emerged in Europe in the recent decades.

His music is soulful, inspired by the sounds and voices of the early 70s, from Bobby Blue Bland to Albert King.

Awarded artist and sound engineer (nominated for Album of the Year next to legends as John Mayall, Joe Bonamassa, and more), he spent the last 10 years touring and playing his music around the World..from New York to Beijing, Moscow to Seoul.

..his voice is a sweet treat for your soul.

Photo by Marko Jovanovic

Marcos Coll

Marcos Coll was born Madrid (Spain) in 1976 but soon moved with his family to Santiago de Compostela, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia. He started playing the harmonica at the age of 13, influenced by his musician uncle and by Spanish blues harp legend Ñaco Goñi. After playing with different amateur bands, such as the Red Bues Band, he formed his first professional band called Bluerags. In 1999 Coll moved back to Madrid to join the most famous Spanish blues band at that time, Tonky Blues Band. With this band, at the age of 21 he had the opportunity of touring and recording with rock and blues legends like Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones ) or Buddy Miles (Jimmy Hendrix Band of Gypsys) and even did a blues gig with Tom Jones(!).

After those years of great experiences, Coll was ready to form his own band, Los Reyes del KO, along with his soul brother, Adrian Costa.  Los Reyes del KO (literally, The Knockout Kings) soon became one of the top blues bands in Spain and Europe, earning awards and recognition, sharing bills around the world with such all-time greats as Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Chuck Berry, John Mayall, Solomon Burke, the Animals, Robert Cray and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and even appearing in high school music textbooks in Galicia

In 2004 Marcos Coll moved to Berlin, where through well-known German blues musicians like Chris Rannenberg and Micha Maass he soon became part of the blues scene in the German capital.

As a studio musician he has recorded with nationally famous Spanish bands such as Siniestro Total, and has recorded music for TV and silent movies.  While Coll is not prolific songwriter, some of his songs have been used in TV series and movies, such as Mexico’s blockbuster "Suave Patria,” or the song that is one of the anthems of the Spanish first division basketball team Obradoiro CAB, where the young Marcos Coll played on the junior team.  He has also worked as a harmonica teacher in music schools in Spain and today does workshops and gives master-classes all over the world in Spanish, English and German.

As an endorser of the world famous German musical instrument manufacturer Hohner, in 2009 and 2013 Coll performed, conducted a workshop, and was part of the jury at the most prestigious harmonica festival, the World Harmonica Festival, held every four years in Trossingen, Germany.

Nowadays, besides performing as Marcos Coll Blues Jarana, he also works often with the legendary bluesman Guitar Crusher, as well as with his Mexican Latino music band Los Mighty Calacas, which has toured all over the world and has released a CD featuring such top guest musicians as Charlie Musselwhite.

Photo by Manulo Blues

Ben "King" Perkoff

The saxophonist Ben "King" Perkoff was born in 1953 in Santa Monica, California -what he does with his exceptional feeling for tradition and music makes him

THE "Honker and Shouter" of Berlin.

Either with his own band or other bands: He plays artistically in a very personal manner with distinctive signs of emotion and melancholy, inspired by his strongest influences King Curtis, JR. Walker, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane.

The "King" has played with Boz Scaggs, Paul Butterfield, Robert Cray, Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, Albert Collins, Maria Muldaur, Nick Gravenites, John Cipollina, Nicky Hopkins, Huey Lewis, Mary Wells, Elvin Bishop, Mike Bloomfield, Luther Tucker, Little Johnny Taylor etc.; on the King's CD "Sax Serenade" he recorded a dazzling blues, "Mister J", dedicated to John Coltrane, with the late, great, "all-world" saxophonist Joe Henderson as guest. He has played in Berlin with Roger & the Evolution, Eb Davis Band, Blue Bayou Band, Nick Katzman, Guitar Crusher, Rudy Stevenson, Steve “Big Man” Clayton, Boogie Radio, Professor Washboard etc. 

The “King” recorded another CD, “Let’s Stay Together” at the Saloon in San Francisco featuring his uncle Simon Perkoff on keyboards and his cousin Max Perkoff on trombone. The "King" recorded a third CD, "Blue Fun" with his Berlin band featuring Rudy Stevenson on guitar.

Ben "King" Perkoff plays his own compositions as well as Blues and Jazz standards. His brilliant playing on tenor, alto, baritone and the seldom played sopranino saxophone is complemented by his flute playing.

The ancient Rhythm and Blues ritual "walking the bar" that Ben "King" Perkoff resurrects must be seen as well as heard, and along with the legendary "Texas Tenor Saxophone" sound that he plays it is truly an experience.

You have the possibility to see Ben "King" Perkoff and hear his special sound, the next time he plays. Don't miss it!

LONG LIVE THE KING!

Ernie Schmiedel

Ernie Schmiedel was born in Heidelberg in 1958. After several semesters of music studies, he played in American clubs in southern Germany and moved to Berlin in 1983 as a professional pianist, organist, and keyboardist. Ernie plays with dedication and passion in a wide variety of musical styles, solo or as an accompanist, and in various bands (e.g., with Hanno Bruhn).

His style is most profoundly influenced by Booker T. Jones, Floyd Cramer, Jimmy Smith, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Allen Toussaint. Ernie can be heard as an accompanist on various CDs (e.g., "Ernie's Wednesday Cocktail") and has also released three solo CDs. The list of events he has played at ranges from the Amsterdam Blues Festival to corporate presentations and family celebrations, company parties, hotels, bars, weddings, fashion shows, the jazz festival in Sardinia, and dog sled races in Canada. This man from Baden-Württemberg is a powerhouse: He can do it all – except speak High German...

Photo by Ernie Schmiedel

McKinley Moore

The history of soul singers who cut their teeth in the African American church on gospel music is long and rich. The black church is the backdrop of most practitioners of the blues, rhythm & blues and especially soul music which came out of America's southern stat. McKinley "Moore" Shaw Jr. has followed in that tradition, being the son of the Baptist Minster, Reverend McKinley Shaw Sr., and Mittie Arcola Moore Shaw, his mother, with family roots beginning in rural Tyler, Texas. The singing of gospel music was very much a part of the daily routine in the Shaw household.  During McKinley's formative childhood years he began playing drums in a teen garage band while also being schooled by a local itinerant farm worker from the deep south on the blues harmonica in the southern style. In the seventies McKinley made his way to San Francisco there he met another harmonica virtuoso, the late Alvis Gumm of Tennessee, who taught McKinley his unique style of harp playing and singing his deep-chested soul vocal style. McKinley by then proficient harp player sitting in with the likes of Willie Dixon, Albert Collins, Billy Branch and many other acts during their West Coast tours.  In the eighties, McKinley met and became protégé to Blues Harmonica legend Sam Myers who encouraged McKinley that just being a harmonica player with a different and unique style was not going to cut it! Thus McKinley return to his gospel roots where his heart and soul, were musically, implanted in him from his childhood years. McKinley began performing as a vocalist, in and around San Francisco's music scene and sitting in with the likes of the late Albert Collins, the great Willie Dixon, Johnny Heartsman & Band, Billy Branch - The Boss of the Harmonica, Katie Webster, and Joe Louis Walker to name a few.

McKinley “The Voice” Moore

Over the years McKinley Moore grew to love the Soul music of Otis Redding, who he says reminded him of his mother’s use of words and in her southern inflection. He has since perfected an arresting The Otis Redding Legacy Show, which has received high accolade, with critics commending his voice as having a ‚profound likeness to the king of soul‘.

McKinley’s 8-piece band The Soul Kings regularly performs at festivals, concerts and local gigs in both the US and Europe. The audiences love his renditions of “Dock of the Bay”, “Try a Little Tenderness”, “Respect”, “My Girl”, “Can’t Turn You Loose”, “Knock on Wood”, “Security”, “A Change is Going to Come” and many more. This show truly and tastefully captures the spirit of one of the greatest entertainers of our time – Otis Redding!

Lars Voges

In 2024, singer and guitarist Lars Voges's debut album, "Kein Bedauern," will finally be released.

This may come as a bit of a surprise, as Lars has certainly experienced a great deal in his musical career so far:

He opened for Jeff Beck at the Royal Albert Hall in London

and at the Circus in Stockholm, he followed in the footsteps of Johnny Cash and Jacques Tati.

At the Echo Awards, Robbie Williams wanted to steal his hairstyle,

whereas Green Day gave him gifts at the Vienna race track.

At concerts with Roxette, parts from Per Gessle's guitar were incorporated into Lars's guitar and from Status Quo, he learned that their enormous concert length is only possible with diapers.

At the Caloundra Festival on the beach in Australia, he jammed backstage with Gotye, and at the Cumbre Tajin Festival, he listened to the traditional flute sounds on the Mexican pyramids.

Otto was enthusiastic about his guitar.

Tony Joe White granted him a private audience.

At a wedding, he played with Emiliana Torrini on her "Jungle Drum."

At the Heitere Open Air in Switzerland, he flirted with Joss Stone.

And on Gunter Gabriel's houseboat, he had to sleep on the sofa.

When Lars wasn't touring with his own projects, he produced albums for Warner Music at Sun Studios in Memphis, played as a studio guitarist for Die Fantastischen Vier and Fritz Kalkbrenner.

Or wrote songs for Universal Music and BMG.

He put together the band for the Echo Award-winning band The Baseballs. And, as their musical director, helped them achieve millions of album sales.

By playing both guitar and double bass on numerous hits (e.g., "Umbrella").

Lars also composed music for the films "Kudamm '59 and '63" and "Lotte am Bauhaus" and wrote and produced film scores for "Adam and Evelyn," "Above and Below," and various other films and received, among other awards, the German Documentary Film Music Award.

Photo by Andrea Linns

Brenda Jean Russell

Brenda Jean Russell grew up in a musically diverse home where Blues, R&B, Soul, Funk, Jazz, and Latin rhythms filled the air. For over 20 years she has traveled internationally teaching Blues, Balboa, Swing, Tango, and Fusion—always with a deep respect for the cultural roots of these dances.

Brenda’s teaching bridges past and present: she draws from the original social Blues dances found in bars, homes, and clubs, while also connecting dancers to live musicians and modern grooves. Known for her clarity, warmth, and movement expertise, she makes Blues dance accessible for all levels, helping students find their own voice in the music.

Brenda Jean Russell is a professional dancer, instructor, movement educator, and wellness coach with over two decades of international teaching experience. She grew up in a culturally diverse family where Blues, Jazz, R&B, Soul, Disco, Funk, and Latin rhythms were the soundtrack of daily life. These influences shaped her lifelong passion for music and dance.

Brenda has dedicated her career to preserving and sharing African American cultural dances—especially Blues—while making them accessible to modern audiences. Her strength lies in connecting the spirit of traditional Blues dances, once found in homes and juke joints, to today’s dance floors. She works closely with live musicians, teaching dancers how to feel the groove, and musicians how to play for dancers, helping re-unite the traditions of music and movement.

She has taught and performed across the USA, Canada, Europe, the UK, Asia, Australia, and South America, sharing Blues and partner dance with communities worldwide. Brenda also organizes festivals and retreats in Portland, California, Berlin, and Switzerland. Her teaching emphasizes musicality, body awareness, and personal expression, inviting every student to discover the dancer within themselves.

Brenda believes we are all born with dance in our bodies, and that Blues offers a joyful, soulful path to connection—anytime, anywhere, with anyone

Gabriel Huot

Gabriel has been involved in the blues dance community since 2011. It includes social dancing around Europe, competing, event organizing, DJing, teaching regular classes in France (Paris, Orléans) and outside France in local and international events.

Though he has been dancing many other social dances, he especially loves blues for the richness of the music and associated dance styles, the variety of rhythms, and for the genuine connection in partner dancing.

He believes understanding of body mechanics is a key to get more freedom in dancing, as well as in daily life. 

He has an endless curiosity to explore movement, from handmade bread making, to martial arts and dance. He is passionate to share about movement and guide people through more freedom.

Greg Dyke

Greg loves how dancing brings out the best in all of us. The common theme across his favorite dances (blues, bal folk, lindy hop, tango and balboa) is their emphasis on musical partnered expression and that these dances are deeply rooted in the cultures that created them. His teaching builds on moving comfortably in our own bodies to help people become the dancer they want to be - someone that everybody else loves dancing with.

Photo by Patrick Bafon

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