AB embraces adventurous jazz in the coming concert season. Weâre glad about that. Colin Stetson, Mulatu Astatke, Portico Quartet and the duo Brad Mehldau/Mark Guiliana will be providing the exciting and entrancing jazz music highlights.
Tenor saxophonist Colin Stetson is no stranger to AB. He provided the unruly sounds for the much lauded Bon Iver in â11, as a member of their backing band. But Colin Stetson was already brilliant solo in the AB Club too in â11. Stetson is a master in circular breathing and the manner in which he plays tenor sax reminds one of grandmasters like Evan Parker, Anthony Braxton and Peter Brötzmann.
âș Colin Stetson will be performing on Wednesday 14 November in AB.
We welcome the so-called father of Ethiopian jazz for the first time, Mulatu Astatke. On the eve of his 70th birthday too. Mulatu Astatkeâs musical terrain is not strictly defined as jazz. Rather, call it a unique blend of modern jazz, traditional Ethiopian music, Latin rhythms, Caribbean reggae and Afro-Funk.
âș Mulatu Astatke will be performing on Friday 16 November in AB.
Things are even more adventurous with Englandâs Portico Quartet. Theyâre often labeled as the âRadiohead Of Jazzâ and also as âthe English Jaga Jazzistâ. Jazz is always the point of departure for Portico Quartet but theyâre increasingly inspired by electronica, ambient, classical and dance. Radiohead, Burial, Sigur RĂłs, Flying Lotus and Norwayâs jazz trumpeter Arve Henriksen are often mentioned as points of reference.
âș Portico Quartet will be performing on Wednesday 5 December in AB.
Lastly, we have honoured guest and famous pianist Brad Mehldau who is already passing by AB for the 8th (!) time, even though this time it will be in duo with Mark Guiliana. The idea: Mehldau behind a Fender Rhodes & an arsenal of synthesizers and Mark Guiliana on drums & a series of effects. You can expect âa completely free form performance, with no set compositionsâ. Exciting? We certainly think so.
âș Brad Mehldau/Mark Guiliana duo will be performing on Thursday 7 March 2013 in AB.
