JAZZ in Germany

A-Trane, Berlin

The name A-Trane combines Trane, a nickname given to John Coltrane, and A-Train, after the Billy Strayhorn number 'Take the A-Train'. The A-Trane opened in 1992 in Charlottenburg, in the centre of what was once West Berlin. In 2011 it won the accolade of Germany's best jazz club.

www.a-trane.de

b-Flat, Berlin

The b-Flat club at Hackescher Markt in the former East Berlin opened in 1995 as a counterpart to the A-Trane in the west of Berlin. It offers a cool ambience and a famously long bar, and also hosts occasional concerts in other genres. The popular jam sessions are on Wednesdays.

www.b-flat-berlin.de

Birdland jazz club, Hamburg

Hamburg's top destination for swing and mainstream modern jazz is Birdland, founded in Hoheluft-West in 1985. Countless world stars from Chet Baker to Wynton Marsalis have played here at the invitation of the Hamburg Jazz Federation.

www.jazzclub-birdland.de

Bix, Stuttgart

Bix jazz club in the Gustav-Siegle-Haus in Stuttgart's old quarter is still relatively young. It was named after Bix Beiderbecke (1903-1931), the legendary jazz cornet player of German origin. Bix presents its weekly international highlight on Fridays.

www.bix-stuttgart.de

Domicil, Dortmund

Since its foundation in 1969, Domicil in Dortmund has presented jazz in all its facets – from Dixieland to free jazz. In 2005 the club took up residence in a former cinema in Hansastrasse, on the first floor between the restaurant and the auditorium. Domicil ranks as one of the three best jazz clubs in Germany.

www.domicil-dortmund.de

Jazzclub Hannover

Jazzclub Hannover's home since 1966 has been the cellar of a former youth centre on Lindener Berg hill. The 'orange club' was founded by Michael Gehrke (1943-2004), who was made an honorary citizen of New Orleans in 1978 for his contribution to jazz.

www.jazz-club.de

Jazzkeller, Frankfurt

Frankfurt am Main became the centre of German jazz after the Second World War thanks to the US army clubs in the city. Founded in 1952 by the legendary Carlo Bohländer (1919-2004), the Jazzkeller on Kleine Bockenheimer Strasse is probably the oldest jazz club in Germany that is still in existence.

www.jazzkeller.com