AB embraces adventurous jazz this season too. Lets just call it: jazz that thinks outside the box and deviates from the beaten path. We'll be kicking off with ‘Mehliana’ – the unique collaboration between pianist Brad Mehldau and percussionist Mark Guiliana, that is to be presented in Belgium for the first time. England's Portico Quartet floats further and further afield from jazz and embraces electronica more than ever. They come to support the release of their latest live album. Together with Bozar, AB also puts a shoulder under the one-off collaboration between the nine members of Norway's Jaga Jazzist and the Sinfonia Rotterdam. Lastly, we also present the José James' breakthrough album ‘No Beginning No End’ that is to be released on the famous Blue Note label.
A summary of all the concerts:
► Brad Mehldau/Mark Guiliana – ‘Mehliana’ plays on on Thursday 7 March.
We're honoured to receive famous pianist Brad Mehldau, who drops by the AB for the 8th (!) time, though this time in duo with Mark Guiliana. The idea: Mehldau behind a Fender Rhodes and an arsenal of synthesizers, Mark Guiliana on drums and a handful of effects. Expect ‘a completely free-form performance, with no set compositions.’ Exciting!
► Portico Quartet plays on Thursday 4 April.
Things are even more adventurous with Portico Quartet from England. They're often labelled as the ‘Radiohead Of Jazz’ and also as ‘the English Jaga Jazzist’. Jazz is always the point of departure for Portico Quartet, but they increasingly gain inspiration from electronica, ambient, classical and dance. Radiohead, Burial, Sigur Rós, Flying Lotus and Norwegian jazz-trumpet player Arve Henriksen are often cited as points of reference.
► Jaga Jazzist feat. Sinfonia Rotterdam plays on Saturday 6 April.
Together with Bozar, AB presents a unique collaboration between Norwegian collective Jaga Jazzist and the Sinfonia Rotterdam. Jaga Jazzist is still that 9-member, indefinable collective that expands musical boundaries by combining jazz, electronica and post-rock. Sinfonia Rotterdam is still the chamber orchestra from Rotterdam, with a basic line-up of 27 musicians, that performs music by classic masters but also has a modern repertoire.
Expect new versions of Jaga Jazzist compositions, drawn from their entire oeuvre and reworked with special orchestral arrangements.
► José James – No Beginning No End plays on Sunday 7 April.
We felt it in our bones, ever since his very first visit to AB in ’08: José James is an amazing artist! See now: time did tell, and even sooner than expected. Legendary jazz label Blue Note has meanwhile fallen for his impressive voice. Now his Blue Note debut ‘No Beginning No End’ has been released with collaboration from the likes of Hindi Zahra. AB nods enthusiastically in agreement: this is José James at his best.
The jazz that is to be heard in AB over the coming weeks is certainly of an adventurous nature and knows no boundaries. A summary of all the concerts involved:
► Brad Mehldau/Mark Guiliana – ‘Mehliana’ plays on on Thursday 7 March.
► Portico Quartet plays on Thursday 4 April.
► Jaga Jazzist feat. Sinfonia Rotterdam plays on Saturday 6 April.
► José James – No Beginning No End plays on Sunday 7 April.
