Kenya is set for a taste of old-school swing when German jazz ensemble The Swingin’ Hermlins arrive in the country for a live performance in March 2027.
The group will perform in Kenya in collaboration with Brand Experience, an event management company, bringing their signature recreation of American swing music from the 1920s and 1930s to local audiences.
The concert will be part of the band's ongoing “The Music Goes Round And Around” programme, an experience built around the sounds, style and atmosphere of the golden age of swing.
From pandemic livestreams to the world stage
The Swingin’ Hermlins gained an international following during the COVID-19 pandemic after beginning regular social media performances on March 15, 2020.
Almost every evening, the group performed around 30 minutes of authentic 1930s swing music online, often in changing small line-ups and alongside friends and musicians who shared their love for legends such as Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Glenn Miller and Jimmie Lunceford.
Thousands of people across America, Asia, Africa and Europe followed the performances on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
The community that grew around the broadcasts became known as “Hermlinville.”
What started as an online musical escape during a difficult period has since grown into a live concert experience.
Bringing the 1920s and 1930s back to life
With “The Music Goes Round And Around,” The Swingin’ Hermlins aim to recreate the sound and atmosphere of American swing as authentically as possible.
The performances are live, spontaneous and energetic, with the band playing — apart from the vocals — without amplification, as was customary during the era.
Even the visual details are part of the experience.
The band's wardrobe, music stands, microphones and instruments are either originals or carefully made replicas designed to recreate the period.
The repertoire includes well-known classics such as “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen” and “A Tisket, A Tasket,” alongside lesser-known songs that the group believes deserve to be rediscovered.
More than just a band
The Swingin’ Hermlins have expanded their work beyond live performances.
The group has released several albums, published a book and performed in venues around the world, while their cultural project has also attracted attention from international media.
Among the media outlets that have reported on their work are The New York Times, The Guardian, ZDF heute journal, Deutsche Welle, Forbes Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.
Since January 2021, the Hermlinville Times, a cultural newspaper published by photographer Uwe Hauth and Andrej Hermlin, has also formed part of the group's wider cultural project.
From camera lenses to live audiences
The band says returning to public concerts has brought a different kind of energy after years of performing primarily through screens.
“Instead of looking at camera lenses, we’re looking at people’s faces again. What a great feeling!”
The group has also expressed gratitude to the audience that followed them throughout their online performances.
“We want to thank our listeners. And we give something back to them: Our love for swing music, a nice solo, a great song - and a smile...”
The Swingin’ Hermlins' journey began as a way of keeping music alive during the pandemic but has since developed into a global community and live performance project.
Now, in March 2027, Kenyan audiences will get the opportunity to experience that sound in person.
For fans of jazz, vintage music and live performances, the group's arrival promises a journey back to an era when swing filled dance halls and big bands ruled the music scene.
The Music Goes Round And Around — and in March 2027, it will make its way to Kenya.
