“This is real deep – took me on a journey” Tina Edwards (Worldwide FM)
“Sonic Interventions is BIG !!!” Michael Ruetten (Jazz Thing / Radio X)
“Some very nice tracks on there!” Maxime L. (Cashmere Radio / JAW Family)
“Love them and would love to feature them on the show” Moe (Refuge Worldwide)
Sonic Interventions, the diaspora-futurist, spiritual jazz collective born from the thriving, international Berlin Jazz scene, is set to release their debut album ‘Do You Remember?’ on November 22, 2024.
With members from five continents, the album weaves together spiritual jazz, poetry, groove and their distinct improvisational approach into a genre bending journey that encapsulates the band’s ethos of creativity, community, and resilience in the face of a world turned upside down.
The roots of Do You Remember? took hold in the summer of 2020 while the world was grappling with the seismic effects of solitude and lockdown. Cultural life in Berlin had halted, leaving artists, especially the international community, stranded far from home with little opportunity for creative release. In response, a group of like-minded musicians and artists found each other to create something new — a series of open-air jams that would grow into a weekly ritual of community and creativity.
Sonic’s sessions were more than just an escape; they were an active creative response to the chaos of the times, fostering a community that valued participation and collaboration in its many forms. Whether through playing music, dancing, filming, or simply being present, every member contributed to the energy and spirit of the gatherings. This inclusive and interdisciplinary approach would become the heartbeat of the collective, shaping its future sound and legacy.
Sonic Interventions, featuring top-tier artists from South Africa, Mali, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, the Congo, Morocco, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, France, Germany, Hungary, Australia and the US, chose their name to reflect the collective’s belief in the transformative power and act of creating sound. The constellation of musicians and dancers has performed alongside elders such as the Sun Ra Arkestra, Tony Allen, Susana Baca, Ebo Taylor, Shahzad Ismaily, Angel Bat Dawid, Maryam Saleh and more. For Sonic, music is much more than entertainment; it is a means of intervening in a crisis-ridden present to engage and connect with something deeper, whether it be the memory of ancestors, the struggles of the current times, or the hopes for a better future.
As Berlin’s cultural scene continues to evolve, Sonic Interventions stands as a testament to the power of grassroots creativity and the human need for connection. Do You Remember? is an album — call to action, a reminder of the transformative power of art, and an invitation to join a journey of collective inquiry and remembrance.