Special encounter between masterfully improvising musicians
from Budapest and Amsterdam, with a cross between jazz, Balkan, African
and much more. In the series Bimhuis 40 Years City Links.
These
master musicians connect various musical worlds in their evocative
melodies and improvisations. Ernst Reijseger is famous for his singular
approach to the cello. For years he has been playing with the Senegalese
born singer and percussionist Mola Sylla, who sings in his mother
tongue Wolof. With pianist and composer Harmen Fraanje they have created
richly varied film music for Werner Herzog. Now they will collaborate
with two heavyweights of Hungarian jazz.
Ferenc Kovács excels on
violin and trumpet and he has a great singing voice as well: a unique
combination. He plays an important part in folk as well as jazz in
Hungary and he has collaborated with among others Archie Shepp and David
Murray. Since 1994 he’s a member of the Gipsy Cimbalom Band led by
Kálmán Balogh. This cimbalom virtuoso is a descendant of a famous
lineage of Roma musicians. Like no other he’s able to combine his
heritage with jazz and classical and he has collaborated with a great
variety of musicians and orchestras.
Last June 20 these musicians
already performed together at the Opus Jazz Club in Budapest, also as
part of BIMHUIS CITY LINKS. This concert series was set up especially
for the 40th anniversary of the Bimhuis in 2014-2015. During the last 40
years the Bimhuis has initiated many fruitful exchanges between cities
where improvised music is developing as intensely as it is in Amsterdam.
After Chicago, Berlin, Ghent, Oslo and London the focus is now on
Budapest, with more dynamic cities and singular musicians to follow.
‘They’re
wild, wonderful and bring in the authentic vibe of Gipsy Jazz… but a
lot lot more… expect a show full of warmth and humor, and just allow
yourself to be captivated!’ (Songlines on Kálmán Balogh’s Gipsy Cimbalom
Band featuring Ferenc Kovács).
‘Reijseger is beyond virtuosity,
not only has he fully mastered his instrument, it almost becomes a toy
in his hands’ (het Parool).
The Bimhuis restaurant is open prior to the concert from 6.30 till 8.30PM (reservations via 020-7882158). After the concert, the Bimhuis Café is open (free entrance).
Mola Sylla zang, Harmen Fraanje piano, Ernst Reijseger cello, Ferenc Kovács trompet/viool/zang, Kálmán Balogh cimbalom