Established in 1993 within the northern German city of Braunschweig, Jazzkantine formed as a popular jazz-rap collective through the efforts of Christian Eitner, Matthias Lanzer, and Ole Sander. Featuring a fluid roster of contributors whose membership shifts across projects in the manner of Gang Starr rapper Guru's Jazzmatazz series, the group issued its self-titled debut Jazzkantine in 1994; the recording achieved strong sales and continues to rank among fan favorites. Recognition followed in 1995, highlighted by an ECHO award for Best Jazz Production. Later full-length efforts encompass Heiß & Fettig (1995), Frisch Gepresst & Live (1996), Geheimrezept (1998), In Formation (2000), Futter für die Seele (2002), and Unbegrenzt Haltbar! (2003). Marking a decade since inception, the collective issued Best of Jazzkantine in 2004. Alongside these albums, Jazzkantine maintained consistent output of maxi-singles containing multiple remixes while drawing substantial live audiences, including 116 performances across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland during 1996 and an appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1998. Affiliated endeavors comprise Tanzzkantine (Die Jazzkantine Tanzzt!, 2001; Space, 2002), the film Braunschweich, Braunschweich! (issued in tandem with the CD Braunschweich, Braunschweich!, 2004), and Ölper Zwölf Pöints.
