Ella Radio has launched on FM in Berlin and Potsdam. And you can listen online. German Minister of State for Culture and the Media Dr Wolfram Weimer says: “A great signal for the cultural diversity of music.” Operating under the motto “Feel the best Jazz, Soul and Blues.”
The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Dr Wolfram Weimer, the Artistic Director of the Jazz Institute Berlin, Prof Paulo Morello, station head Oliver Dunk and jazz singer Martina Barta pressed the red button to launch broadcasting at the Zig Zag Jazz Club in Berlin.
The first song played was the classic ‘Mack the Knife’, performed by jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald at her Berlin concert in 1960.
Ella Radio broadcasts a 24-hour full schedule with news from Berlin, Brandenburg, Germany and the world – every half hour in the mornings and afternoons part of the blend.
Musically, the focus is entirely on jazz, soul and blues. Alongside classics from Sarah Vaughan, Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock, the station also plays current artists such as Samara Joy, Esperanza Spalding and Ezra Collective, as well as German performers such as Till Brönner, Lisa Bassenge and Torsten Goods.
Minister of State for Culture Dr Weimer said quoted by the station: “If the younger target group can also experience the fascination of jazz, soul and blues on Ella, I very much welcome that.”
Ella’s programming the station says includes up-to-date cultural and event information, portraits of regional, German and international jazz musicians, interviews with musicians and concert recordings.
In addition, with over 40 additional music streaming channels, Ella offers jazz, soul and blues fans an exceptionally broad online range under the name “Ella’s World”.
The presenters include well-known voices – in Germany (not known at all beyond) – such as Chris Hädrich and Viktor Worms. Jazz musicians will also be sitting in front of the microphone in future, according to the station.
Station head Oliver Dunk comments: “Ella sees itself as part of the Berlin and Brandenburg jazz scene. We regularly showcase young talents who, for example, are studying at the Jazz Institute Berlin. Artists from the region will also be heard.”
Paulo Morello from the Jazz Institute Berlin adds: “Ella is a mirror of the vibrant jazz scene in the capital region. We think it is fantastic that a radio station is also giving young jazz musicians the chance to be perceived more strongly by a broad public.”
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