Berlin’s Jewish Museum has acquired a significant artwork featuring the Weintraubs Syncopators, a celebrated jazz ensemble from the Weimar Republic era, whose legacy was nearly erased following the Nazi occupation. The painting, titled “Jazz Band,” was created in 1927 by Austrian artist Max Oppenheimer and will be permanently displayed starting October 21.
The Weintraubs Syncopators, renowned for their exceptional versatility, were once hailed as Berlin’s premier jazz group during the 1920s. Members of the band were proficient in multiple instruments, captivating audiences alongside stars like Marlene Dietrich and Josephine Baker. However, the rise of the Nazis marked a tragic turn for the group, leading to years of exile and imprisonment in Australia, ultimately obscuring their once-vibrant legacy.
Oppenheimer’s artwork encapsulates the dynamic spirit of Berlin’s nightlife between the two World Wars. Originally used as an illustration for a concert brochure, it showcases the band’s ability to blend various musical styles, from symphonic jazz to catchy German pop. Notable songs from their repertoire included “My Love Wants to Take Me Sailing on Sunday” and “My Gorilla Has a Villa in the Zoo.” During their peak, they collaborated with Friedrich Hollaender, one of Berlin’s foremost cabaret composers.
The Syncopators also performed alongside iconic figures like Josephine Baker and contributed to the score of the 1930 film The Blue Angel, which featured Dietrich’s famous song, “Falling in Love Again.” Despite the Nazi regime’s disdain for jazz, labeling it as “degenerate,” the band continued to perform under the adapted name “Die Weintraubs” for several years before their eventual dissolution.
This return of the Weintraubs Syncopators, albeit through art, serves as a poignant reminder of a vibrant cultural era in Berlin’s history, celebrating the resilience of a musical legacy nearly lost to time.
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