Jährlich im April findet das jazzahead! Festival parallel zur jazzahead! Fachmesse in Bremen statt. Um den weltgrößten Branchentreff der Jazzszene herum gibt es mit zahlreichen Kooperationspartner:innen ein stadtweites Musik- und Kulturprogramm.
2024 steht mit den Niederlanden ein ganz besonderes Partnerland im Mittelpunkt des Festivals. Vom 11. April bis 13. April dürfen wir uns auf einen modernen und überraschenden Sound freuen!
Line up:
15:15: Sinfonia de Carnaval (AT) European Showcases
Sinfonia de Carnaval features two highly versatile Austrian musicians, Anna Lang (cello/piano) and Alois Eberl (trombone /accordion/ vocals). They live in the Salzkammergut region and make music “inspired by the nature all around us, and by places of fantasy beyond it.” Their programme, Sweeping Dragon whisks the listener away to a world of storytelling and fantasy. Described as “instrumental Art Pop without boundaries,” their music has elements of jazz and pop meeting the sound universe of electronics and the complete spectrum of classical playing techniques.
Line-Up: Anna Lang (clo), Alois Eberl (tb, acc, perc, voc)
16:45: Tineke Postma Aria Group (NL) Dutch Showcases
Saxophonist-composer Tineke Postma is one of the vibrant Dutch scene’s most prolific and respected musicians. She has performed alongside US greats including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Terri Lyne Carrington and Esperanza Spalding and her latest album ‘ARIA’ (Edition) presents adventurous new compositions featuring guitarist Ben Monder. Howard Mandel in Downbeat described the album as “original, inviting and rewarding of repeated listening.” Wayne Shorter declared before he passed away that Postma should take his role in his late career symphonic/operatic compositions (Opera Iphigenia, Gaia, and Orbits). She performed these works for the first time in June 2023.
Line-Up: Tineke Postma (ss, as), David Doružka (g), Robert Landfermann (db), Tristan Renfrow (dr)
18:30: DZ’OB (UA) European Showcases
There is an urgency to the music of DZ’OB, an electro-acoustic band from Dnipro, Ukraine: “Ukrainian culture is what we defend and try to preserve (…) For musicians, artists and all other representatives of the different arts, it is extremely important to go on, to make art and take it further for Ukraine,” says leader Oleksii Badin. DZ’OB not only synthesizes genres like jazz, classics, IDM, techno, dubstep, but also creates unique, eclectic sounds that blur the lines within ages, and traditions. In Ukrainian media, DZ’OB is often called the undisputed leader of the local avant-garde scene. “We musicians can and must use music as a tool and help those who need support.”
Line-Up: Vasyl Starshynov (ob), Oleksii Starshynov (bassoon), Iryna Li (vl), Oleksii Badin (clo, electronics), Andrii Yarovyi (dr)
20:00: Leila Martial & Valentin Ceccaldi „Fil“ (FR) European Showcases
Described by France-Music as a “voice of limitless creativity,” Leïla Martial is one of the world’s leading experimental improvising vocalists. Adding effects to her natural vocal talents, she shares the enchanting world of her imagination, drawing inspiration from theatre, circus, from the voice patterns of pygmies, Inuits and children. The duo FIL, with cellist Valentin Ceccaldi, provides Martial with astonishing freedom to take on a multifaceted identity. Their new album “Le Jardin des Délices” (BMC), offers surprising vistas on a folk song from Réunion or a song by the French chanteuse Barbara, and many more. It is a “disc of great poetry” (Citizen Jazz).
Line-Up: Leïla Martial (voc), Valentin Ceccaldi (clo), Boris Darley (sound)
21:30: Mama Terra (GB) European Showcases
The Acid Jazz label signed Mama Terra after a tip-off from Jazz FM. Co-led by Glaswegian pianist-composer-producer Marco Cafolla and saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski, they present a new and invigorating take on spiritual jazz with a focus on melody and a constantly lively sound. Their debut album, ‘The Summoned’ is a journey through life and the universe from which the first single went straight in at number one on the iTunes Jazz chart. The album title refers to the speed at which the songs came to Marco, as if he was being ‘summoned’. The voice of Rachel Lightbody, first winner of the Critics’ Choice Award at the recent Scottish Jazz Awards, soars ethereally. “Bursts with zeal and vigour” (MOJO).
Line-Up: Marco Cafolla (p, vocoder), Konrad Wiszniewski (ts), Rachel Lightbody (voc), Mikey Owers (tb), Cameron Jay (flh), Doug Hough (dr), Brodie Javier (db)
23:00: Raw Fish (NL) Dutch Showcases
“Insane”, “wow, that was amazing” and “what the hell was that!” are heard often after shows. Danish/Italian trio Raw Fish is punk, indie rock and improvised music mixed together in a spaceship. Teis Semey, Giovanni Iacovella and eclectic singer-songwriter Marta Arpini form the troupe and navigate flawlessly through lands of unknown and sounds unheard. Armed with a MPC beatmaker, guitars, synthesizers, drums and a laptop, get ready to watch them lose themselves smashing buttons, kicks and pedals. You might shed a tear.
Line-Up: Teis Semey (g, MPC, drum machine), Giovanni Iacovella (dr, live electronics), Marta Arpini (voc, synths)
00:30: Alune Wade (SN) Overseas Showcases
Alune Wade, hailed as a „supertalent“ by DLF Kultur, has performed alongside icons like Joe Zawinul and Marcus Miller. A leading figure in African Jazz, he blends African rhythms with Jazz in cosmopolitan compositions. Inspired by Dakar, Paris, and New York, his music boasts infectious basslines, captivating melodies, and funky beats. With versatile bass playing, he rejuvenates African jazz. Notable collaborations include „Havana-Paris-Dakar“ with Lopez-Nussa and Marcus Miller’s „Afrodeezia“. His 2022 album „Sultan“ earned acclaim from Downbeat Magazine. Now, he prepares his sixth album, fusing West African vibrancy with New Orleans soul for Spring 2025.
Line-Up: Alune Wade (voc, b), Harry Ahonlonsou (sax), Camille Passeri (tpt), Carl-Henri Morisset (keys), Cedric Duchemann (keys), Alix Goffic (dr)
