Romanian-born pianist Lucian Ban and American viola player Mat Maneri present another contemporary variation on the opera Oedipe, the 20th century masterpiece by Romanian classical composer George Enescu. Ten years ago they celebrated success with their instrumental version and now they’ve added two revolutionary jazz vocalists: Jen Shyu, whose voice contains strong Southeast Asian influences, and Theo Bleckmann, recognized by Downbeat as one of the most influential male jazz singers of today, alongside Kurt Elling and Gregory Porter. The band consists of prominent avant-jazz musicians from New York, familiar names for visitors of the BIMHUIS. A star role is reserved for French jazz hero Louis Sclavis on (bass) clarinet.
The first set of this double concert will be performed by DUMItRIO, the Amsterdam-based trio founded by George Dumitriu. As a classical violinist he won over 15 international awards, after which he broadened his horizon towards jazz guitar, electronics and free improvisation. Viola became his main focus in recent years. His compositions on his recent album Proverbe were strongly influenced by Romanian folk music as well as traditional proverbs as spoken by his grandmother. DUMItRIO features Mattia Magatelli, one of the most important Italian bassists of this moment, and drummer/cellist Kristijan Krajnčan.
This double concert is organized by the BIMHUIS in collaboration with the international festival EUROPALIA, promoting an open and peaceful dialogue between cultures since 1969.
DUMItRIO – Proverbe
George Dumitriu violin / viola / guitar / electronics, Mattia Magatelli double bass / bass guitar, Kristijan Krajnčan cello / drums
Lucian Ban + Mat Maneri: “Oedipe Redux”
Mat Maneri viola / orchestrations, Lucian Ban piano / orchestrations Louis Sclavis clarinet / bass clarinet, Theo Bleckmann vocals, Jen Shyu vocals, Ralph Alessi trumpet, John Hebert bass, Tom Rainey drums
