Basketball is Jazz! | The Ernest Butler story

In the organizer's words:

Program accompanying the exhibition "Learning and Leisure in "Little America" | Places of American Education and Leisure in Giesing and Harlaching, 1945-1992"

In his film, filmmaker Etienne Bellay tells the extraordinary life story of Ernest Butler, now 88 years old - a man who impressively combines sport and music.

In 1965, Butler was one of the first African-Americans to win the German basketball championship with MTSV 1846 Giessen, deciding the final with a long throw in the final seconds. He only picked up the saxophone at the age of 33 - and stood on stage for the first time after just seven hours of lessons. He later taught at the Munich American High School, played regularly in Munich jazz clubs and also met musicians from the international scene there. Until the end, he performed at the legendary Mr. B's - Munich's smallest jazz club. Shortly before the club had to close after almost 30 years, Bellay accompanied Butler with his camera and captured the last moments of this special place.

The film shows a man who found his way despite the restrictions of a segregated America - through the energy of basketball and the freedom of jazz. It was only in Germany that Ernest Butler was able to become what he always wanted to be: someone who touches others with humility and great passion. He sums up his motto in a nutshell: "Basketball is Jazz!"

Guest: Ernest Butler

Accompanying program at the Giesinger Bahnhof cultural center

Part of the accompanying program is free of charge, part is subject to a fee. We also ask you to register for the free events so that we can plan ahead.

• Sunday May 03, 2026 | 11.00 a.m.
  Opening | Learning and Leisure in "Little America" | Opening | Places of American Education and Leisure in Giesing and Harlaching | 1945-1992
  with Elvira Auer & Dr. Karin Pohl | Music Christoph Bohning
  Free admission | Donations welcome | Ticket reservation free of charge
• Wednesday, May 06, 2026 | 7.30 pm
  Mel Canady &Friends | Concert
  tickets
• Sunday May 10, 2026 | 11.00 am
  Servus! 75 years of munich campus memories
  Book presentation Dr. Circe Woessner & Dr. Karin Pohl
  Free admission | Donations welcome | Ticket reservation free of charge
• Sunday May 17, 2026 | 6.00 pm
  Basketball is Jazz! | The Ernest Butler story
  Free admission | Donations welcome | Ticket reservation free of charge

Exhibition | Admission to the exhibition free of charge

Monday-Friday: 11:00-16:00 and by appointment

Access via the south pavilion (right part of the building, office of the cultural center). The exhibition is partly located on the 1st floor (without elevator).

Please note that individual rooms may be temporarily occupied due to rentals. If you would like to visit all parts of the exhibition at once, it is best to inform yourself in advance by telephone or via the current information on our website.

The exhibition "Amis in McGraw Kaserne" was conceived in 2025 and organized as part of the "Zero Hour? How we became what we are" at the Munich State Building Authority. The exhibition curated in May 2026 consists of parts of this major exhibition.

Event space: Baggage hall | main entrance | first floor

Current information on our website