Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson “Winter in America” (Strata East – 1974)

 On Monday, September 29, we gather at Rhinoceros for a truly special moment: a collective listening of Winter in America, the timeless masterpiece by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson.

Their music has played a central role in our journey. In September 2018, we had the honor of welcoming the living legend Brian Jackson live with our JAW Family, and in 2010 we witnessed Gil’s last Berlin show at the legendary Club Maria, which was such a touching moment.

The record captures the disillusionment of post-civil rights America — a nation struggling with broken promises, social injustice, and political decay. Gil’s poetry, paired with Brian’s warm and haunting arrangements, creates a landscape that is deeply personal yet universally resonant.

What makes Winter in America so important is its timelessness. Fifty-one years after its release, the themes of inequality, systemic failure, and resilience still ring true. It’s more than an album — it’s a document of resistance, a piece of living history, and a reminder of the power of art to speak truth to its time and beyond.

✨ The bar opens at 6:30 PM, needle drop at 8:30 PM.
✨ No reservations.
✨ We ask for silent listening during the length of the record.
✨ Come early and stay late for a chat and a drink!

Brian Jackson at Rhinoceros – Berlin 2018 / Sascha Blum

GSH at Maria – Berlin 2010 / Ben De Biel