JAKI

JAKI opened in 2019 at Venloer Str. 40, replacing Studio 672 in Cologne’s Stadtgarten, the European Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Its name honours Jaki Liebezeit, drummer for the Cologne band Can. Studio 672 hosted the Total Confusion party series, which ran for 16 years and had close ties to Kompakt. Initiative Kölner Jazz Haus e.V. has operated Stadtgarten since its founding in 1984.

The venue presents concerts and club nights, with its club programme centred on contemporary electronic music and its wider range spanning jazz, hip-hop, soul and reggae. Promoters at JAKI have included PLAY!, Ehrenfeld XL and NEW DAWN. The opening programme featured the TOM-TOM Club, a recurring Saturday series offering local DJs a platform, alongside Deena Abdelwahed, Zuli, Nadah El Shazly and Mama Snake. Co-founders Søren Siebel and Magnus von Welck booked the club, with Dogan Dolff as manager. JAKI members take part in Klubkomm Cologne’s Safer Nightlife working group.