Die Freedom Swingers: Als der Jazz (fast) seine Freiheit verlor

When jazz (almost) lost its freedom is a music history event about the situation of jazz in Germany during National Socialism. The focus is on the restriction of artistic freedom, the political instrumentalization of music and jazz as an expression of resistance and cultural identity. Through the combination of live music and historical audio and visual documents, history is made audible and tangible.

The idea for this evening arose against the backdrop of current social and political developments and was conceived and researched by Josef Ametsbichler together with Axel Högel and Peter Wegele.

The Freedom Swingers play the swing and jazz music of the 20s and 30s. They focus on the pieces that were played under difficult circumstances during the Nazi era. The focus is on the repertoire of the Ghetto Swingers, which were founded in 1943 by trumpeter Erich Vogel.