As noted in my previous post, the 40th edition of Rotterdam's North Sea Jazz Festival (Friday July 10 - Sunday July 12) bulks with world-class acts in jazz and affliated genres. Last week's post highlighted some modern jazz and vocal jazz acts as well as the living legends of jazz playing at the festival. In this second post, I will highlight a number of local acts, soul and … [Read more...]
Your Guide to the North Sea Jazz Festival (Friday July 10 – Sunday July 12) – Part I
In a few weeks, the 40th edition of the three-day North Sea Jazz Festival (Friday July 10 - Sunday July 12) will kick off. Held in the Ahoy halls in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, North Sea Jazz Festival is one of the biggest and internationally most renowned jazz festivals on the European continent. In this first post of two on the festival, I will highlight a number of … [Read more...]
Marzio Scholten’s IDENTIKIT – ‘Here Comes A Riot’ EP
With Here Comes A Riot, the IDENTIKIT formation around guitarist Marzio Scholten presents a powerful follow-up to Garage Moi. In fact, quite literally, as the opening track "Here Comes A Riot" blends Scholten's forceful chords with snappy sax lines accompanied by thumping drums. With the EP, the band manages to convey a sound that is both easy to digest and imaginative at … [Read more...]
Gideon van Gelder – “Victory Joy Dance” (Stream)
"Victory Joy Dance" is the first track of Lighthouse, the second album by Amsterdam-based pianist Gideon van Gelder. As the title of the song suggests, the playful interaction between the rhythm of Van Gelder's hyperactive Wurlitzer, Rick Rosato's bass lines and Jamire Williams' drums gives the song a great optimistic feel. Perfect to get you going on a Sunday afternoon or any … [Read more...]
Ben Williams Celebrates His ‘Coming of Age’ in Berlin
Known for his work in the Pat Metheny Unity Band, and the Next Collective, Ben Williams is one of those artists who represent the fresh wind that has been blowing through jazz in recent years. For the promotion of his sophomore album as a leader titled Coming of Age, Williams brought his Sound Effect quintet to Europe for an eleven-day tour. I caught the band playing A-Trane … [Read more...]