ABOUT THE 2026 EDITION
Unlike all the previous years, the 2026 edition (volume #9) will run without financial support, as we haven't been granted funding by any institution or foundation. Although this is unfortunate, we will still carry on, if in a somewhat reduced format: This year, there will only be two nights instead of the usual three; the line-up consists of local hero*ines exclusively, as we couldn't afford to fly in any national or international talent; we might start off each night with a short artist talk (as usual), or we might skip it; as opposed to using our go-to location, we're running the event in two other smaller (but nonetheless great) venues; lastly, we're doing just a basic audio/video recording, as opposed to the usual high quality full length production.
Credit and respect to goes out to all the musicians supporting the event this time around, despite less than optimum conditions!!
Hoping to be back at our usual standard for our 10th anniversary next year ;-)
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL IN GENERAL
Berlin Solo Impro is a festival dedicated to solo improvisation, curated and organized by Volker Meitz on an annual basis since 2018. Casting a spotlight on the soloist form of improvised performance, it highlights the act of personal and spontaneous artistic self-expression in a unique and tangible way. Arguably, it is one of the very few festivals (if not the only one) of its kind worldwide that has been running for a consecutive number of years.
Drawing on a wide range of improvisatory genres ranging from jazz, echtzeitmusik and contemporary music to electronic and experimental styles, Berlin Solo Impro showcases a wide variety of approaches from traditional playing styles to avantgarde techniques, including self-created instruments or musically applied objects. The fesitval aims to feature occasional solo performers alongside seasoned players in this field, while representing a cross section of different ages and maintaining a gender balance. Over the years, it has been inspiring artists to record solo albums or even engage with the idea of solo performance in the first place.
Each night consists of five consecutive solo performances, leading into a grand finale where all artists get to play together, juxtaposing solo and collective performances, thus highlighting all its differences and commonalities.
A history of all the festival editions (including extensive audio/video documentation) is available in the Archive section.
Unlike all the previous years, the 2026 edition (volume #9) will run without financial support, as we haven't been granted funding by any institution or foundation. Although this is unfortunate, we will still carry on, if in a somewhat reduced format: This year, there will only be two nights instead of the usual three; the line-up consists of local hero*ines exclusively, as we couldn't afford to fly in any national or international talent; we might start off each night with a short artist talk (as usual), or we might skip it; as opposed to using our go-to location, we're running the event in two other smaller (but nonetheless great) venues; lastly, we're doing just a basic audio/video recording, as opposed to the usual high quality full length production.
Credit and respect to goes out to all the musicians supporting the event this time around, despite less than optimum conditions!!
Hoping to be back at our usual standard for our 10th anniversary next year ;-)
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL IN GENERAL
Berlin Solo Impro is a festival dedicated to solo improvisation, curated and organized by Volker Meitz on an annual basis since 2018. Casting a spotlight on the soloist form of improvised performance, it highlights the act of personal and spontaneous artistic self-expression in a unique and tangible way. Arguably, it is one of the very few festivals (if not the only one) of its kind worldwide that has been running for a consecutive number of years.
Drawing on a wide range of improvisatory genres ranging from jazz, echtzeitmusik and contemporary music to electronic and experimental styles, Berlin Solo Impro showcases a wide variety of approaches from traditional playing styles to avantgarde techniques, including self-created instruments or musically applied objects. The fesitval aims to feature occasional solo performers alongside seasoned players in this field, while representing a cross section of different ages and maintaining a gender balance. Over the years, it has been inspiring artists to record solo albums or even engage with the idea of solo performance in the first place.
Each night consists of five consecutive solo performances, leading into a grand finale where all artists get to play together, juxtaposing solo and collective performances, thus highlighting all its differences and commonalities.
A history of all the festival editions (including extensive audio/video documentation) is available in the Archive section.
Curator and organizer Volker Meitz created the festival in 2018, essentially running it as a one-man operation since its inception (including audio production and appearance as the moderator of the nightly artist talks, too). A musician himself, he has been involved in numerous projects from popular to experimental genres as a keyboard player, music producer and audio engineer since the 1990's. Volker continues to leave his musical mark with various undertakings both inside and outside the field of improvised music.
Curator and organizer Volker Meitz created the festival in 2018, essentially running it as a one-man operation since its inception (including audio production and appearnce as the moderator of the nightly artist talks, too). A musician himself, he has been involved in numerous projects from popular to experimental genres as a keyboard player, music producer and audio engineer since the 1990's. Volker continues to leave his musical mark with various undertakings both inside and outside the field of improvised music.
Production collaborators, past & present:
Photography - Cristina Marx, Dieter Duevelmeyer, Detlev Schilke, Eric Pawlitzky
Video production & post - Florian Japp, Nico Uris, A3, Exelius
Audio Engineering - Martin Ruch, Michael Haves, Matthias Erian
Venues - Acker Stadt Palast (Freie Bühne Mitte e.V.), ACUD, West Germany, Kühlspot Social Club
Photography - Cristina Marx, Dieter Duevelmeyer, Detlev Schilke, Eric Pawlitzky
Video production & post - Florian Japp, Nico Uris, A3, Exelius
Audio Engineering - Martin Ruch, Michael Haves, Matthias Erian
Venues - Acker Stadt Palast (Freie Bühne Mitte e.V.), ACUD, West Germany, Kühlspot Social Club