Boi Akih
Guitarist en composer Niels Brouwer and vocalist Monica Akihary are the core of Boi Akih, which began in 1996. The duo has developed a distinctive repertoire for the ensemble, one in which cultural roots - musical traditions from the Moluccas, Sunda and Bali, Dutch (European) jazz and improvised music, classical Indian music and traditional African music - form the basis for composition, free improvisation and text. Boi Akih has grown into an ensemble with a striking sound and its very own unmistakable musical idiom. The search for its ‘own’ roots has led to Boi Akih’s unique sound. Sound exploration, compositional forms, improvisation and performance have been essential facets from the very beginning. The development of Monica Akihary’s and Niels Brouwer’s distinctive vocal and guitar styles have given sounds and elements from various musical traditions a new meaning within the national and international music world. In 1998 the linguistic community hailed Brouwers and Akihary’s texts as a phenomenon. While Boi Akih’s music subtly refers to Moluccan roots, it is above all through language that Akihary honours her heritage. She writes and sings in her father’s native language, regarded as moribund by the scientific world. Since 1998 Brouwer and Akihary have been working with Dutch and Australian linguists who study Haruku. With their help and support, Boi Akih not only keeps the tradition alive, but also employs the language in its most authentic form, poetic self-expression. Since the release of its first CD, Boi Akih has made a big impression nationally and internationally at leading festivals and venues as Berlin Jazz Fest, Jazz Sous Les Pommier, North Sea Jazz, Jazzkaar, Kaunas Jazz Fest, European Jazz Nights Oslo, Awesome Africa Music Fest and many more.
'duo 'Boi Akih' created a magic hour with pure acoustic music based on a fascinating tapestry of folk music, contemporary sounds and improvisation.’ (Jazznytt 09 N)
'this is a trio in total control of its musical environment and its strength lies in the musical empathy between the three musicians.' (All About Jazz 09)
'Boi Akih relentlessly enthralled the crowd of hunderds, creating a colorful, emotionally diverse universe.' (Jakarta Post 09 RI)
'Fabulous singing and masterly guitar playing in their own universe .' (De Volkskrant 07)
BUZZ BROS BAND - Unique and Adventurous
The Buzz Bros Band was founded in 2001 by Marnix Busstra and his brother, pianist Berthil . Guitarist Marnix Busstra is one of the most prominent contemporary jazz guitarists and composers in the Netherlands. Besides being the main composer for Dutch theatre diva Karin Bloemen he leads the Marnix Busstra Trio and the Buzz Bros Band,. Among his many musical highlights are his collaborations with award-winning vibraphonist Mike Manieri, and vocalist Dianne Reeves, who recognized his craftsmanship as a composer.The band has a very different sound and the four musicians are definitely groundbreakers in the Dutch jazz scene. The music they play can best be described as... "Adventurous, freely interpreted electric acoustic funky jazz with an ethnic touch" . Add this to the original creativity of bass player Frans van Geest, and you get an incredibly happening rhythm section with a completely individual, versatile, and swinging acoustic groove. For the past few years the group has travelled extensively participating in many concerts. The quartet’s intense music leaves the audience in awe. The band’s first album ‘Castle in the Air’ received rave reviews.
Line Up:
BUZZ BROS BAND : NEDHERLANDS
MARC SCHENK – DRUMS
FRANCISCUS LAMBERTUS VAN GEEST – DOUBLE BASS
BERTHOLD GERARD BUSSTRA –KEYBOARDS
MARNIX RONALD BUSSTRA – GUITAR
Ha Yong Bu & Dulsori - Heartbeat of the Land
DULSORI is a Korean traditional arts organisation, established in 1984. Its vision is to produce and develop artistic performance and educational and cultural experience programmes, derived from Korean traditional music and arts. Dulsori's dynamic performance has captured the hearts and the imagination of audiences around the world. Dulsori focuses its future on making the world a better place through its music and by touching the hearts of the world with Korean 'Shinmyung', the enthusiastic living energy and inner passion and love for life. Dulsori primarily aims to rekindle the spirit of ancient Korean festivals on the modern stage. "We aim to break the barriers between the players and the audience in staging our performances," says Kap-Hyun Moon, director of Dulsori. Dulsori believes in creating a sense of community and understands the existence and importance of communal values in every culture. Dulsor’s performances and interactive programmes attempt to build friendship and unity between the audience and performers, thereby creating a sense of harmony. Through the mesmerizing rhythms of percussion and drums and enchanting vocals and dynamic choreography, Dulsori's passionate and colourful performances showcases the unique heritage and spirited origins of traditional Korean culture.
Ha Yong Bu
Ha Yong Bu is the Artistic Director of Dulsori and is one of Korea’s National treasures, listed as Korean Intangible Asset Ha Yong Bu’s dance has captured the imagination of virtuoso artists of different traditions. Ha shows his exquisite command over breathing techniques, particularly in the drum dance The life force exhibited in Ha’s breathing and movement resonated with dancers and choreographers the world over. Renowned dancer Pina Bausch, found Ha’s dance deeply moving. Arianne Mnouchkine, Director of Théâtre du Soleil, who invited Ha Yong-bu to France as a guest lecturer and choreographer, stated that Ha’s “movement is like the currents of a river”. Ha Yong Bu’s movement is free and unfettered, like the wind and water, at once fusing and deconstructing time and space. His work is a seamless blend of tradition and modernity, pushing the physical body to its limits to project the immensity of the cosmos in all its lyrical intensity.
“An Extraordinary Feast for Both the Ears and the Eyes” [SUNDAY HERALD]
“Traditionalism and spectacle merged in Dulsori... They set up deep, pounding rhythms derived from outdoor farmers’
“festivals beats that could probably be heard in the next village...” [THE NEW YORK TIMES]
Rain Sultanov TRIO - Irresistible Melodies
Today, only a select few musicians carry the name of Azerbaijani jazz to other countries. Rain Sultanov is one leading saxophone player doing just that. Similarly, not many have gone through such an eventfully rich, and sometimes stormy, period of development. He is certainly a musician’s musician - appreciated by those finely tuned to the highest art. Rain’s music is thoughtful and suffused with significance. Like others of his generation, his childhood and youth were spent in a musical environment learning first the clarinet, and soon attracting the attention of his teachers, before taking up the saxophone. On entering the Asaf Zeynalli Music School, he displayed an amazing ability to pick up and master the most challenging classical works. In 1985, as a laureate in the Republican Concourse competition, he further demonstrated both his gifts and his potential. His talent was quickly noticed and later in 1985 he was invited to join the group ‘Ashuglar’, formed by the well-known musician and composer Polad Bulbuloglu. In 1988, receiving an invitation from the maestro singer Rashid Behbutov, he began work in the State Song Theatre and was accepted as the best jazz musician. In 1992 Sultanov was invited to be a soloist in the Azerbaijan Teleradio Symphony Orchestra. Rain has performed in major festivals and with jazz musicians like Rafig Babayev, Kenny Wheeler, Bobo Stenson, Mike Del Ferro, Christoph Busse, Donato Deliano, Perry Robinson, Marva Wright, Michael Schiefel, Florian Ross, Adam Rogers, Tommy Smith, Matthew Garrison, Barbara Dennerlein, among others.
Line up:
Rain Sultanov – tenor saxophone
Yasef Eyvazov - oud
Ruslan Huseynov – bass, double bass
