Rare Birds showcases the astonishing diversity, creativity and transformative power that music brings forth. The music festival presents an exciting line-up at the fabrik Potsdam and the Kunsthaus Minsk. Taking a broad view, the programme boldly bridges the gap between jazz and world music, improvised music and interdisciplinary art.
International, regional, young newcomers and established artists – the Rare Birds festival brings together contrasts and brings the universal message of global music to life!
Fri 4 Dec 2026 | fabrik main stage
Jugend jazzt Big Band: This year’s winning band from the Jugend jazzt competition will open the festival. In cooperation with the Brandenburg State Music Council, this important gathering of up-and-coming jazz musicians is part of the festival for the third time.
Aki Takase and Alexander von Schlippenbach Piano Duo (JP/D): Two true legends of jazz, improvisation and the piano come together for an intimate four-handed concert on a grand piano. The familiarity and playful joy with which these two exceptional artists – winners of all the major national jazz awards – move across the keys together bear witness to a deep and long-standing relationship – both with each other and with the music they create.
Sat 5 Dec 2026 | fabrik main stage
The fabrik’s JugendTanzCompany, Ibrahima Ndiaye (choreographer / SEN), Hogir Göregen (percussion / TUR) and Joel Grip (double bass / SE) are collaborating on a performance inspired by a variety of points of reference: a journey across the boundaries between different cultures and eras, flowing seamlessly between movement, rhythms and sound.
Wolfgang Muthspiel (A/CH), one of Europe’s best-known and most influential musicians, presents his Chamber Trio alongside Colin Vallon (piano / CH) and Mario Rom (trumpet / A) – chamber music that is lyrical, open and melodious. The Chamber Trio’s music is characterised by a rich variety of timbres, moments of serene stillness and rhythmic energy.
Joanna Duda (piano, electronics / PL) and her trio are among the hottest acts on the younger European jazz scene. Together with Michał Bryndal (drums, effects / PL) and Jort Terwijn (bass / NL), she performs high-energy music that is communicative, dense, intense and full of verve. Enhanced by electronic instruments and effects, the quality of this exceptional trio speaks for itself – with an uncompromising, direct yet accessible sound.
Sun 6 Dec 2026 | DAS MINSK Kunsthaus Potsdam
The ÄETHER string quartet (Amalia Umeda, Aleksandra Kryńska, Maëlle Desbrosses, Adèle Viret, PL/FR) uniquely bridges the worlds of jazz and classical music. With its unconventional approach, the quartet turns conventional expectations of such an ensemble on their head. With great enthusiasm and courage, the musicians explore these seemingly incompatible genres. The result is a hybrid and electrifying sound, rich in layers and profound in depth.
