About us

Are You Syncopated?! aims for the sweet spot between a swing dance festival and a jazz festival. A big get-together of the Berlin early jazz scene with the addition of international guests to celebrate the legacy of jazz culture with a fresh perspective. It will be fun, daring and very creative!

We welcome the dance community in Berlin and beyond to experience high-profile bands in an environment suitable for dancing (check the venues). This year’s activities also include the Berlin Hot Jazz Camp, talks, 3 dance tracks, daytime activities, a family program… and lots of partying!

The Syncopation Society

We are a music collective which identifies with a new movement focusing on early American music such as swing, hot jazz, and blues with connections in both Europe and the U.S., particularly in New Orleans. The founding bands of the collective spring from the street and squat culture. We have grown alongside the Berlin dance community and include also dancers, teachers, DJs, and political activists.

We primarily promote musicians who share our dedication to early jazz by providing booking, distribution, and label services. We also offer musical education in these specific styles to keep this music alive and relevant. In this regard, we believe that jazz, and all music derived from blues, has its roots in, and is indeed the creation of African-American culture. As musicians, we deeply feel the need to give recognition to the creators of the music we perform, the world they lived in, and the struggles they faced personally and professionally due to systemic racism.

Syncopation website ↗

Another important mission of the Syncopation Society is to support women in their pursuit to play and perform this music. In that regard, we urge you to have a look at the Syncopated Sisters Residency which took place last March.

The Syncopated Sisters residency ↗

Media partners

Festival listed on: 
SWING DANCE FESTIVALS and EXCHANGES WORLDWIDE
SWING PLAN-IT
JAZZ LINK