KUU!

In the organizer's words:

ISLAND
KUU!
INSEL Jazz
Sunday / June 14, 2026 / 6 pm
Admission: 18/8 (VVK incl. fees) and 20/10 (B.O.)

Free admission for visitors under the age of 21. Please send us a short message to post@insel.news if you are interested.

Jelena Kuljić - vocals
Kalle Kalima - guitar, bass
Frank Möbus - guitar
Christian Lillinger - drums

Jelena Kuljić met the Finnish guitarist Kalle Kalima during rehearsals for a theater production. During the breaks, the two began experimenting with everything from new music to rock and jazz - and realized that the proverbial chemistry between them was right. This accidental duo, which soon became known as KUU!, soon took on a broader scope: Kuljić and Kalima brought in aesthetically suitable partners in guitarist Frank Möbus and drummer Christian Lillinger, who were able to spontaneously cover a broad stylistic spectrum with them. KUU! became a collectively organized and stylistically eclectic band that unabashedly addressed controversial political issues in its lyrics. Jelena Kuljić sings with a voice of steel and dark chocolate. This music is its own theater, hectic modern noir.

Jelena Kuljić, born in Serbia in 1976, completed her studies in jazz singing at the Berlin Jazz Institute in 2008. In addition to her band "Yelena K & The Love Trio" (Double Moon Records, 2010), she initiated other projects such as "Y Move" (Minor Music, 2006), "Fasil" (ECM, 2009), "KUU!" (shoebill music, 2014) and "Z-Country Paradise" (Z-Paradise Records, 2015). As a musician and actress, she works at the most renowned theaters in Europe, including the Volksbühne Berlin, the Schaubühne Berlin, the Burgtheater Vienna, etc. Jelena Kuljić has been a permanent ensemble member of the Münchner Kammerspiele since the 2015/16 season.

Kalle Kalima has released albums with his group Klima Kalima and with the group Johnny La Marama. He has collaborated with many musicians, including trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, saxophonist Anthony Braxton, bassists Sirone and Greg Cohen, guitarist Marc Ducret, composer Simon Stockhausen, drummer Tony Allen and singer Linda Sharrock. He also plays with Jimi Tenor, the Finnish underground pop star.

Frank Möbus leads the group Der Rote Bereich (ACT, Intakt) and is a member of Carlos Bica Azul (Enja, Clean Feed), Erdmann/Rohrer 4tett (Intakt), Raw Vision (Unit Records) and Wiesendanger/Möbus/Hemingway. He has worked with Ray Anderson, Kenny Wheeler, Louis Sclavis, Mark Helias, Chris Speed, Han Bennink, John Davis, Kevin Coyne and others. He has been working as a producer for various artists since 2006.

Christian Lillinger plays in the trio Hyperactive Kid. He leads the group GRUND, which has released two albums on the Clean Feed label. In 2013 he received the composition scholarship of the city of Berlin. He has worked with Joachim Kühn, Beat Furrer, Zeitkratzer, John Tchicai, David Liebmann, Joe Lovano, Miroslav Vitous, Tony Malaby and others.

An INSEL event. With the kind support of the Friedrich and Hildegard Nettelbeck Foundation.

Price information:

Admission: 18/8 (VVK incl. fees) and 20/10 (B.O.) Free admission for visitors under the age of 21. If you are interested, please send us a short message to post@insel.news.