Erosão Percussion Trio // Dream Baby Dream // Anthony Braxton Septet // Alexander Hawkins Willow Music

EROSÃO PERCUSSION TRIO, a stunning new project from Brazilian drummer, singer, and composer Mariá Portugal with fellow percussionists Burkhard Beins and Emilio Gordoa opens this year’s festival with a dynamic mix of melody, texture, and propulsion. Their performance is followed by a screening of DREAM BABY DREAM, the award-winning experimental short film that was realised with 60 Berlin-based participants during the Jazzfest Berlin 2025. The legendary reedist and composer Anthony Braxton then gives the world premiere of his new septet, a beguiling collision of four saxophones and three tubas that adds fascinating new layers to his sui generis musical system. The evening concludes with the European premiere of British pianist Alexander Hawkins’ new Willow Music, his first large ensemble project.