From left: Lionel Haas, Torsten Zwingenberger, Emil Wahlgren, Alexey Wagner, Martin Lillich © Christa Zwingenberger
BERLIN 21 STREETWORKERS – Urban soul, funk, and groove jazz are passionately blended live into a danceable cocktail of the highest quality. A party atmosphere is guaranteed.
From the creative energy of the Berlin district of Moabit-Tiergarten, formerly the postal code Berlin 21, a group emerged that infuses urban jazz with a rousing touch of funk and soul: BERLIN 21 STREETWORKERS. What once began as a spontaneous musical reaction to the performance bans during the Corona pandemic with street concerts is now a musical powerhouse of the highest caliber – energetic, audience-friendly, and danceable.
With a repertoire of classics by Stevie Wonder, Sting, Bob Marley, the Crusaders, the Beatles, and the Yellowjackets, combined with selected original compositions by the band, the ensemble hits the musical nerve of generations who grew up with groove and emotion – while appealing to a curious, open-minded audience.
Since 2024, the band has been enriched by an extraordinary voice: Emil Wahlgren (born 1999) captivates with his distinctive, versatile vocals, shifting effortlessly between soul, pop, and jazz. Inspired by greats such as Al Jarreau, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Nat King Cole, and Billy Joel, Wahlgren brings a new vocal dimension to the ensemble. His improvisations and scat interludes are virtuosic, full of expressiveness and charm.
Lineup: Emil Wahlgren (vocals), Lionel Haas (piano/keys), Alexey Wagner (guitar), Martin Lillich (bass), Torsten Zwingenberger (drums/percussion)
