Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
In Memoriam: Cassandra Wilson, 1955–2026
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
Saxophonist Phillip Gropper is an integral part of WhyPlayJazz’s musical roster.
(Photo: Dovile Sermokas)Berlin is one of Europe’s most creatively potent melting pots, an artistic magnet that brings dynamic figures from around the globe. Still, despite its richly cosmopolitan makeup, there’s loads of homegrown talent, and for decades the local jazz scene has been one of the strongest anywhere in the world.
Yet those natives are often overlooked if they’re not active on the international touring circuit—a shame for curious listeners who might not know how to access the exciting work happening in the city.
In recent years one of the best outlets to discover cutting-edge jazz from Berlin has been WhyPlayJazz Records, which was founded by a software designer who lives two hours from the city, in Greifswald. In fact, Roland Schulz was dismissive of jazz—preferring electronic music of the 1980s like Vangelis, Kraftwerk, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Art of Noise, alternative rock, and hip-hop—until an old girlfriend dragged him to a concert in his hometown in 2004.
The group he heard was Sonne, a short-lived quartet featuring some of Berlin’s most dynamic players, back when they were still figuring things out: drummer Christian Lillinger, saxophonist Philipp Gropper, bassist Johannes Fink and keyboardist Carsten Daerr.
“The label was born out of the situation where I wanted to buy a CD from this band, but they had no recordings,” said Schulz. “I found the idea of being able to work with such great musicians—and to produce [the kinds of recordings] I would like to have for myself—very tempting. Working in a creative and inspiring environment, and creating something beautiful—I could not say no.”
Luckily, the musicians also agreed. The label dropped Sonne’s eponymous debut the following year, and it was a couple of years before a second title surfaced, a recording by the Danish quartet Quartz, whose members spend significant time in Berlin.
Meanwhile, back in Greifswald, Schulz expanded his activities to begin presenting a monthly jazz series, inspired by the music he was discovering in Berlin. By 2010, however, the label began ratcheting up its production, and WhyPlayJazz now boasts a catalog with more than 30 titles. Schulz expects to release between 5-8 titles annually from now on.
The music Schulz loves pivots around post-bop and free-jazz. In general recordings are built from pithy compositions, and the loose and limber improvisational style draws upon a wide swath of influences from Europe and the U.S., stretching back to the ’60s. But certain records push beyond those parameters, whether the post-Third Stream experiments of vibraphonist Simon Kanzler on his album Double Identity or the jacked-up energy of the guitar-driven trio Zur Schönen Aussicht.
Schulz notes that the label has grown, and now invests money in press to reach a larger base, but it’s still an uphill battle. “With cross-financing it wouldn’t work, and it probably never will,” he said.
A number of musicians are clearly integral figures in the label’s development, such as saxophonist Gropper (a founding member of the dynamic trio Hyperactive Kid, which now goes by Gropper/Graupe/Lillinger), the reedist Benjamin Weidekamp, and the Danish cornetist Mads la Cour.
“My first contacts came from Berlin,” explained Schulz. “Berlin is a high-rise for the kind of jazz I love so much, but I am also currently working with musicians from the Dresden/Leipzig area. I say yes to a release when I like the music and the chemistry is right. The music and the dealings with the players must give me pleasure.”
The musicians finance the studio costs, with Schulz covering design, manufacturing, and distribution, but he notes that he doesn’t interfere whatsoever with the music itself: “It’s important that they should feel comfortable.”
For more information, visit whyplayjazz.de. DB
Wilson’s ability to connect to audiences helped her to win two Grammy awards and multiple other accolades. She was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2022.
Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
“The love from the jazz and music community restored my faith in humanity,” Walia wrote in an online post upon his release from detention at an ICE facility.
Aug 18, 2026 2:15 PM
Indian jazz guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia has been released after being unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken…
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez was among the artists scheduled to perform at the now-canceled inaugural LA Jazz Festival.
Aug 11, 2026 12:53 PM
The inaugural LA Jazz Festival, originally scheduled to run Aug. 7–23 with dozens of events across Los Angeles’…
Bertoncini was a specialist and advocate for the nylon-string acoustic guitar, turning down high-profile opportunities that were unsuited to the sound and techniques that he used with that instrument.
Sep 1, 2026 11:06 AM
Gene Bertoncini, an esteemed jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and educator, died Aug. 29 at the Lillian Booth Actors…
A solo concert by saxophonist Joshua Redman will close the first night of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Sept. 26.
Sep 22, 2026 12:26 PM
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival will take place for the 20th time on the final weekend of September 2026. Beginning half…
