Introducing Soultime: an exceptional duo that brings a unique twist to classic soul music. Inspired by the intangible energy of the Motown-era the two musicians put their own spin on the timeless compositions of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations or Michael Jackson as well as their own favorites from Reggae to Brazilian and Cuban music. Grooving their way through the decades of Soul music, the two inventive musicians add their own twist and flavor to the mix. Get ready for an evening of soul-filled music, joy and surprises!

Daniel 'El Congo' Allen has shared the stage with legendary artists such as Lauren Hill, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tony Allen and many more..Jonatan Morgenstern is a versatile pianist that is at ease in various styles of music, such as his debut album 'Aguazul'.

Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin were two of the great composers to whom we owe a number of beautiful melodies from musicals and films. Both born in the 1880s, they lived through the heyday of Broadway in the 1920s and 1930s. Irving Berlin wrote well-known songs like "Cheek to Cheek", "How deep is the ocean?" or "White Christmas". Jerome Kern contributed songs such as "All the things you are" and "I'm old fashioned" to the Great American Songbook. Kern co-wrote many songs with lyricist Oscar Hammerstein, while Berlin was one of the few to write music and lyrics himself. The latter has also managed to reach the proud 101 years old. This evening is dedicated to the pieces by two composers, which have touched and fascinated me again and again for many years.

Bud Powell, Billy Strayhorn and Harold Arlen are three of the most renowned artistic personalities in the fields of improvisation, arrangements and composition, as well as songwriting. Nevertheless, all three were rather overshadowed by more well-known musicians: Bud Powell in the shadow of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Strayhorn in that of Duke Ellington and Harold Arlen in that of George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin.

Tonight Wolfgang Köhler will reinterpret some of the most beautiful and intriguing pieces from the pens of these three heroes of jazz and the American Popular Songbook, including classics such as: Bouncing with Bud, So sorry please, Isfahan, Johnny come lately, Come rain or come shine, Out of this world and Over the rainbow.

Mike Russell's Funky Soul Kitchen is one of the best funk/soul bands in Europe. The band consists of international musicians, and plays original songs by singer/guitarist Mike Russell from Washington, D.C. (USA). Members of this "All Star Band" -Lionel Haas (keyboard), Sir Charles Williamson (bass) und DiCarlo, (drums)- have played with The Michael Jackson Immortal Band, The Weather Girls, John Lee Hooker Jr, Eddie Harris, TM Stevens, Oneida James, and Joachim Germany. The latest CD from Mike Russell ´s Funky Soul Kitchen "The Quasimodo Sessions" is available on iTunes, Amazon and many others.

Carly Quiroz and Topo Gioia invite you to travel southwards on a musical journey with melodies and rhythms from the land of gauchos. The South American region, which includes Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, offers a wide variety of musical expressions that will captivate listeners.

This evening at Orania.Berlin drum groove master Dirk Erchinger meets renowned guitarist Robert Keßler. Long-time companions, the two sons of preacher men have now joined forces & inimitably combine contemporary, grooving jazz with blues, rock & funk. They'll play songs from current studio albums & entirely new compositions. Special feature is Keßler's hybrid instrument, which combines bass & guitar. An evening full of energy, groove, soul, jazz & explosive joy of playing.

Born in 1984, Keßler released "Little People" in 2022, his 5th studio album. As a sideman he tours with various jazz - & pop artists. Since 2017 he has been professor for guitar and ensemble at the SRH University Berlin. Dirk Erchinger (*1969) was drummer of the Jazzkantine for 16 years & has played for the AcidJazz act Count Basic for almost 30 years. He can be heard on dozens of productions with well-known artists. In 2022/23 he toured with superstar Apache 207. Dirk is founder of Drumtrainer Berlin & lecturer at SRH University Berlin.

In this unique Orania.Berlin solo piano evening, ECM artist Benedikt Jahnel celebrates the art of one of his greatest musical heros: legendary pianist and composer Keith Jarrett. Jarrett’s musical career spans over 50 years with such influential solo performances as The Köln Concert, La Fenice or The Melody At Night With You. The cornerstones of Jarrett’s legacy are extended piano improvisations, partially based on original works but also often free “from silence to silence”, and interpretations of masterpieces from the Great American Songbook.

Jahnel will follow in Jarrett’s footsteps, making references to both these worlds. "Jahnel has a rich classical tone that is intimate and deep. Pastoral beauty." (G. Harris, Jazz Weekly, USA ‘17); "... his playing felt almost hypnotic." (J. Shahid, Dawn Islamabad, PAK ‘19).

One of the top living legends has inspired generations of musicians worldwide and defined high conceptual standards for them. This comes as no surprise - Stevie Wonder's music contains a tremendous treasure of songs with instant recognition potential and it touches the heart of every listener.

Pianist Lionel Haas presents a series of selected Stevie songs and gives them his personal musical touch.

Scott Hildebrand is a singer/songwriter and multi- instrumentalist, whose music pulls from genres such as the Chicago Blues of his hometown, as well as Indie Folk, Americana and Rock & Roll. Throughout his musical journeys, he strives to inspire open-mindedness and ignite the adventurous flame in the hearts of his listeners. His earthy voice is accompanied by his expressive guitar and harmonica playing. As he travels the world making music on what he calls his “Endless World Tour,” he has the ability to find deep connection and share openly with audiences.

Rossano Snel und José Aurélio draw inspiration from the Brazilian instrumental music of the 60s and 70s. The duo plays original songs and classic tunes from João Donato, Tom Jobim and Deodato. The two Brazilian musicians also use their experiences to improvise over danceable vamps, mixing house and disco music with latin flavours.

It's an evening of brazilian and latin music to dance, flirt and indulge.

Pianist and composer Simon Anke invites Berlin’s most outstanding bass players to join him at Orania.Berlin. Together they groove their way through anything from Blues and Soul to Daft Punk and Billie Eilish, sometimes all at the same time. This night is based on great joy of playing and the love to surprise everyone - including the musicians themselves: you‘ll never know what they play next.

As a sought-after sideman on stage and in the studio, Simon Anke accompanies artists such as Jocelyn B. Smith, Keimzeit, Tina Tandler and the Filmorchester Babelsberg. As part of the indie pop duo LÜX he co-writes and produces. Since 2023 he is releasing “Before We Thought About It”, a series of freely improvised solo piano tunes.

Tonight he will be joined by Hannes Hüfken. The Berlin-based bass player has a love for folk, country, hip hop, soul, jazz and middle-of-the-road pop music. Hannes toured the world with Brazilian jazz rock giant Ed Motta, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Katharina Franck (Rainbirds), Nosliw and more.

Bene Aperdannier has felt a close connection to Bill Evans since his university studies. With its harmonious language, its sensitive playing approach, its enormous improvisational repertoire and its openness to colors, especially the shades of the great Iimpressionists like Ravel, Debussy or Stravinsky.

"A tribute to Bill Evans" - on this evening Bene Aperdannier will play Evans originals such as "Waltz for Debby", "We will meet again" or "Peace Piece" as well a selection of songs that are always in the repertoire of great Pianists ("I should care", "Who can I turn to", "You must believe in spring" or "Theme from M*A*S*H"...).

The Berlin formation JCB has been one of the successful bands for event performances in Germany and Europe for a long time. With specially arranged cover versions of well-known pop songs, soul classics and original compositions. This evening the band will perform in an intimate line-up around a varied selection of wonderful singers. These JCB session will have the pleasure to welcome Anthony Thet, Isabel Wilhayn and Ron Spielman amongst others.

Pianist and composer Rolf Zielke’s music is a reflection on Contemporary Jazz, Latin and Brazilian Jazz, and music of the ‘Middle East’. ‘Technically he knows all the tricks...the man from Berlin presents himself as a pianist who is able to surprise the overcrowded genre with a fresh, new sound.’ (Jazz thing) ‘The listener experiences piano-jazz of the highest order.’ (Jazzpodium)

Rolf Zielke will present two different piano-percussion-duos at Orania.Berlin. He will perform with the percussionist Rolo Rodriguez from Uruguay as well as Argentinian percussionist Topo Gioia. On piano and percussion, they create an extraordinary quality of musical unity with a breath-taking drive that transcends the boundaries of jazz rhythm conventions. These three outstanding musicians have been members of the international Jazz Scene for many years.