Enji

Singer Enji is universally recognized as a force to be reckoned with, but at the beginning of her breakthrough album Ulaan she emphasizes where she comes from: Mongolia. This makes her a unique presence in vocal jazz, certainly because she sings in her mother tongue, blending her original language seamlessly with melodic, soulful jazz. Last year she made her mark at the North Sea Jazz festival, with Sun-Mi Hong on drums. Now she will perform in an intimate setting with her compatriots Paul Brändle on guitar and Martin Zenker on double bass.

‘Like Ella Fitzgerald singing in Khalkha’, is how Enji was praised by Mojo Magazine, and BBC DJ Gilles Peterson is a fan as well. The singer was born in Ulaanbaatar and grew up with traditional folk song and dance. Later on she learned the ancient art of throat singing that Mongolian music is known for. She studied jazz in Europe and has released three albums to date. Her oeuvre includes increasingly more influences. For example, on Ulaan she performs with musicians from Brazil.

Enji (Enkhjargal Erkhembayar) vocals, Paul Braendle guitar, River Adomeit double bass