Berlin's Cassette Head Sessions safeguard the traditional art of tape-recording music
In the heart of Berlin, the Cassette Head Sessions have become a beacon for the city's burgeoning jazz scene, attracting attention from cities like London. This unique musical venture started as weekly jam sessions in the basement of Filmkunstbar Fitzcarraldo in Kreuzberg, before finding its current home at 90mil, Holzmarktstr. 19-23, Friedrichshain.
The band members, who met through their shared love of music and were all playing in different bands before the Sessions began, have created one of the finest in-house bands in the city. The Cassette Head Sessions have grown to become one of the most popular nights in Berlin, featuring improvisation with contemporary soul, jazz, and funk.
The venue at 90mil offers a unique experience for audience members, allowing them to stand next to the instruments, creating a sense of intimacy and connection between the performers and the crowd. This community-run venue is not corporate, adding to the authenticity of the Sessions.
The sound of the Berlin jazz scene has evolved, becoming broader and more spiritual. Many musicians in the city are experimenting with playing traditional electronic music with live instruments, reflecting the innovative spirit of the scene. There is a vibrant young community of rappers, singers, and musicians in Berlin, and the Cassette Head Sessions have become a platform for local talents to guide the musical journey.
The open-flowing exchange at the Cassette Head Sessions allows anyone to play with or sing with the band without a barrier. The name Cassette Head Sessions comes from the band's practice of recording the artists that came down and played with them onto cassette tapes.
The Cassette Head Sessions have hosted notable musicians such as RC & The Gritz and Moses Sumney, showcasing the high calibre of performers attracted to the Sessions. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sessions held a block party at Tempelhof with around 400 people, demonstrating their resilience and adaptability in challenging times.
The core crew of the Cassette Head Sessions is Hal Strewe, Tim Granbacka, and Nir Sabag, who continue to drive the creative energy and passion that started the Sessions all those years ago. Their commitment to nurturing and promoting the vibrant music scene in Berlin is evident in every note played at the Cassette Head Sessions.
- The band's collaboration at the Cassette Head Sessions has resulted in an extraordinary fusion of contemporary soul, jazz, and funk, transforming it into one of the city's most celebrated entertainment offerings.
- Every weekend at the Cassette Head Sessions, music enthusiasts gather not just to listen, but to be a part of the innovative exploration of traditional electronic music combined with live instruments, making it a hotbed for inventive musical experimentation.
