Header Logo

Moka Efti Orchestra

Moka Efti Orchestra

Image from Wikipedia

Moka Efti Orchestra: The Golden Twenties as a Stunning Live Experience

An ensemble between television phenomenon, jazz band, and modern retro avant-garde

The Moka Efti Orchestra is much more than just a band from a successful television series: The 14-member ensemble was formed in 2018 in connection with Babylon Berlin and quickly developed into an independent live act with international appeal. At the center are the composers Nikko Weidemann and Mario Kamien, along with saxophonist, arranger, and bandleader Sebastian Borkowski; the defining voice is Severija Janušauskaitė with the title song Zu Asche, zu Staub. The name refers to the legendary Berlin café and dance house Moka Efti of the 1920s and 1930s, making a clear cultural statement right in the title. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_Efti_Orchestra))

The Origin: Music for a Series That Became an Independent Career

The Moka Efti Orchestra was originally founded for the German television series Babylon Berlin to credibly and timelessly enrich its musical world. For the production, Weidemann and Kamien composed and arranged a large part of the music; the series required a stylistically broad spectrum ranging from blues, piano ragtime, and chansons to opulent big band numbers. What began as a commissioned work grew into an independent project through audience resonance, which emancipated itself live, on recordings, and on tour. ([gastspielreisen.com](https://gastspielreisen.com/artists/detail/moka-efti-orchestra))

The first steps on stage made it clear that this was no mere nostalgia act. The first concert appearance took place in May 2018 at the XJAZZ Festival in Berlin, followed by performances at the Reeperbahn Festival, the Komische Oper, and Ballhaus Berlin. In 2019, the ensemble went on a concert tour across Germany, performing in cities like Jena and Munich, highlighting its transition from a television phenomenon to an established live band. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_Efti_Orchestra))

The Sound: 1920s Aesthetics with Dramatic Impact

Musically, the Moka Efti Orchestra operates in the tension field of swing, hot jazz, ragtime, blues, chanson, Charleston, and klezmer. The band employs a historical surface without tipping into museal reconstruction: The emotional impact is key, not a meticulous copy of the era. It is precisely this attitude that makes it captivating, as the arrangements translate the spirit of the 1920s into a contemporary, immediate stage language. ([sixdegreesrecords.com](https://www.sixdegreesrecords.com/moka-efti-orchestra/))

DW described the approach as a return to the "Golden Twenties" and emphasized that the music captures the vibrant urban character of Berlin. Other portraits also highlight the ensemble's stylistic breadth and the blend of cultivated big band tradition, glamorous nightclub atmosphere, and a touch of subcultural sophistication. In this way, the Moka Efti Orchestra aligns itself with contemporary retro projects, but stands out due to its TV origin and consistent stage presentation. ([dw.com](https://www.dw.com/en/back-to-the-1920s-with-babylon-berlins-moka-efti-orchestra/a-52377676))

The Central Voice: Severija Janušauskaitė and the Breakthrough with “Zu Asche, zu Staub”

A significant part of the project's popularity is attributed to Severija Janušauskaitė, who appears as a singer in the series universe and interprets the iconic title song Zu Asche, zu Staub. The song reached number 22 on the German singles chart and became a hallmark of the entire project. Its blend of melancholy, raw expressiveness, and catchy melody made the track a favorite among audiences, extending the visual and musical concept of the series beyond the screen. ([dw.com](https://www.dw.com/en/back-to-the-1920s-with-babylon-berlins-moka-efti-orchestra/a-52377676))

On the debut album Erstausgabe, the title is represented in a new version, along with other songs that build on the soundtrack material or have been reimagined. Six Degrees Records describes the album as a 13-track release featuring new versions of familiar pieces and additional compositions. This gives the material the necessary independence from the series context and functions as a standalone jazz and pop production with a distinct dramatic signature. ([sixdegreesrecords.com](https://www.sixdegreesrecords.com/moka-efti-orchestra/))

Discography and Chart Success: From Debut to Second Album Phase

The discography of the Moka Efti Orchestra so far includes the studio albums Erstausgabe from 2020 and Telegramm from 2022. Erstausgabe reached number 23 on the German album charts, marking the project's initial visible commercial success in the recording market. Subsequently, Telegramm confirmed that the ensemble is more than a one-off television companion product, but a continuing artistic formation with its own repertoire. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_Efti_Orchestra))

The reception of the releases also notes the strengths of the project in live performance. Reviews praised the musical seriousness with which retro elements, art song nuances, indie colors, pop, blues, and avant-garde intertwine. Observations frequently highlight that the orchestra does not rely solely on nostalgia, but pursues a stylistically open, cinematic fusion vision. ([gaesteliste.de](https://gaesteliste.de/2020/02/14/review/moka-efti-orchestra-erstausgabe/?utm_source=openai))

Current Projects: Stage, Reading, and New Concert Formats

Recently, the Moka Efti Orchestra has remained active, touring with new formats throughout the German-speaking region. Documented performances for 2025 include appearances with Benno Fürmann; in this project, music, readings, and visual elements are combined into a scenographic live experience. Event announcements describe this production as thematically strongly linked to the atmosphere of 1920s Berlin and as an innovative musical stage between concert and storytelling theater. ([visitberlin.de](https://www.visitberlin.de/en/event/moka-efti-orchestra-benno-furmann?utm_source=openai))

A January 2025 announcement from Elbphilharmonie indicates that the ensemble continues to perform in prestigious venues, transforming the concert stage into a dance hall of the interwar period. Another source even cites a sold-out tour concept for 2025 with Benno Fürmann and Le Pustra, encompassing several major venues. This suggests that the Moka Efti Orchestra has firmly established its status as a sought-after live act. ([elbphilharmonie.de](https://www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/whats-on/moka-efti-orchestra/21953?utm_source=openai))

Cultural Influence: Between “Babylon Berlin,” Big Band, and Berlin Myth

The cultural value of the Moka Efti Orchestra lies in its ability to connect a historical Berlin myth with contemporary culture. The band recalls the Moka Efti as a place of entertainment, glamour, and urban transition; at the same time, it transports this cosmos into the present of series culture, festivals, and concert halls. This results in a project that is not only musically effective but also iconographically resonant. ([sixdegreesrecords.com](https://www.sixdegreesrecords.com/moka-efti-orchestra/))

From a music history perspective, the blend of big band arrangement, popular storytelling, and a clear stage concept, reminiscent almost of musical theater, is also significant. The members came from diverse musical backgrounds, were cast for the series, and only later formed a touring entity. This origin explains the high precision in arrangement and the strong stage presence that secures the ensemble's distinct place between jazz, soundtrack, and pop culture. ([sixdegreesrecords.com](https://www.sixdegreesrecords.com/moka-efti-orchestra/))

Conclusion: An Orchestra with Style, Pull, and Recognizability

The Moka Efti Orchestra captivates because it condenses historical sonic colors, modern production aesthetics, and strong live presence into a coherent overall experience. From a television project, it has become an independent ensemble with chart-worthy discography, renowned performances, and a clear artistic identity. Those who experience the group live do not receive just a mere revue, but a stylish journey through time with musical substance and remarkable stage energy. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_Efti_Orchestra))

It is precisely here that the tension of this orchestra lies: It tells of Berlin, of nightlife, of change and seduction, without falling into clichés. The Moka Efti Orchestra shows how powerful a band can sound when arrangement, dramaturgy, and cultural awareness come together. Anyone who has the chance should experience this ensemble live. ([gastspielreisen.com](https://gastspielreisen.com/artists/detail/moka-efti-orchestra))

Official Channels of Moka Efti Orchestra:

Sources: