The jazz musician canceled to support 50 remaining hostages in Gaza at the festival: “I am not a politician”

The musician of Berlin Swing, David Hermlin, says that he faces cancellation after being excluded from some of the main jazz festivals in Europe and accused of intimidation during a meeting organized by a pro-Palestinian group.

The 25 -year -old told Fox News Digital that his only actions asked two questions and wore a yellow solidarity pin with hostages still held in Gaza.

“I did not harass or intimidated anyone. I just asked two questions that I thought legitimate,” said Hermlin.

Known on social networks under the name of “Daveetheewave“Hermlin has built a reputation not only for his music, but for his image. He dresses in an authentic way from the 1930s, with smoothed hair, a vintage microphone and an anthracite gray costume that looks torn from a Fred Astaire film.

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April 08, 2025, Berlin: David Hermlin attended the award ceremony “Bz-Kulturpreis”. (Annette Riedl / Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

The look corresponds to the sound. He sings classics like “Let’s Fall in Love” supported by his own big band, The Dance Orchestra Swingwhich recreate the golden era of swing until the last detail. Its yellow ribbon pin, carried perfectly on the reverse of this tailor -made costume, stood out at this year festival and has become a flash point in the controversy.

Hermlin’s experience raises questions about freedom of expression in the world of entertainment. He supervises his case as part of a broader historical model of exclusion.

“What kind of people are it now that before being able to play in a festival, I have to make a political statement? It is a music festival, not a political festival,” he said.

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David Hermlin, center in red jacket, plays the battery surrounded by his Big Band orchestra. (Uwe Hauth)

The Herräng dance camp in Sweden is considered one of the most recognized swing festivals in the world. During this year’s rally, a group called jazz with Palestine held an open meeting. Hermlin performed as a drummer with another set, not his own orchestra.

He later learned that the organizers not only excluded it from the jam sessions of this group, but also clearly indicated that they would not plan to reserve his personal projects, such as the Swing Dance Orchestra.

“I went with the sole intention of listening to their concerns and if possible to have a dialogue,” said Hermlin.

During the jazz meeting with Palestine, Hermlin asked two questions. He wanted to know where the monetary donations would be directed and what the lyrics of the Arab song used for choreography mean. The exchange then aroused complaints concerning its “intimidating presence”.

“The first question was, if I want to give money, where do donations go?” Recalls Hermlin. “The second was, what is the meaning of the Arab song? They said they did not know. I asked, would it not be pleasant to know before filming a choreography?”

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Andrej Hermlin and David Hermlin during the Askania 2023 prize at Berlin Capital Club on February 14, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Tristar Media / Getty images)

He said he was amazed when a member of the board of directors told him that some participants were uncomfortable.

Hermlin also faced criticism for carrying the little yellow reverse pin, which symbolizes solidarity with the 50 hostages always held by Hamas. Festival -goers suggested that pine was an inflammatory or political propaganda. Hermlin rejects this characterization.

“People have pointed out my yellow pin and said people may be aggressive because of your pin. I asked them, do you know what it means? They said no,” he said. “This pin concerns hostages. It is not ASAHAL or government. It is empathy.”

After Herräng, Hermlin said that other festivals have started to drop him from their alignments while keeping his group. “I am the only one to be excluded. Not the group, just me,” he said. “A festival said to me: don’t take it personally, you will get cancellation fees. But how is it not personal?”

October 09, 2021, Berlin: Andrej Hermlin (LR) with his daughter Rachel Hermlin and his brother David Hermlin come at “80 years old Eckart Witzigmann – Berlin says thank you” at KPM Königliche Porzellan -Manufaktur. (Gerald Matzka / Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital contacted Jazz with Palestine to comment but did not receive an answer. On its website and social media, the group describes itself as a jazz movement and swing dancers through Europe that use music, dance and political action to stand with the Palestinian people.

Its mission statement indicates that the group grants conscience and funds and that jazz is rooted in the “fight against racial and colonial oppression”. The group recently promoted fundraising efforts for humanitarian groups in Gaza and has announced plans for social dance events and educational forums.

Hermlin says that the treatment reminds him of both the McCarthy era and the history of his own family in Berlin in the 1930s. He also underlines the history of exclusion from the Swing world.

“It reminds me of the McCarthy era, when artists were in a hurry to declare if they were communists. If you said yes, you were boycotted,” he said. “They did it in front of photos of Norma Miller, Frankie Manning and Nicholas brothers, artists excluded in the 1930s. How ironic?”

He also quotes Benny Goodman, the Jewish clarinetist who became the “king of swing” and challenged segregation by hiring black musicians such as Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton and Charlie Christian. “As Benny Goodman showed in the 1930s, Swing is a question of inclusion. This is his very soul,” said Hermlin.

Despite the fallout, Hermlin promises to continue playing. “I had no choice but to speak. Music should unite and not divide,” he said.

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“I never wanted to be trained in politics. I am a swing musician, not a politician – my instrument is the battery, not a political declaration.”

“My way of retaliation is to continue to swing. This is what I will do. I always end my concerts by saying, don’t forget, keep swinging. And I think.”