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in the bimhuis productions series reflex we invite musicians to reflect on the world and society. the curator of this edition is alto saxophonist mo van der does. his vision will be shaped by his seven-piece motet, through which he is displaying influences from the likes of charles mingus, maurice ravel en heroes of contemporary jazz. motet is the seven-piece formation led by mo van der does, who has earned acclaim for his tone, his lyricism and his improvisational skills. his band features major talents from dutch scene and beyond. the group can be as flexible as a small ensemble and as powerful as a big band, while exploring composition, orchestration and improvisation. through long lasting friendships and musical connections these musicians have built up a mutual trust that allows them to go all the way on stage. their sonic world is characterized by lyrical melodies and strong grooves, while interchanging intimate, melancholic parts with orchestral eruptions.

wnbl, formerly known as wanubalé, is a dynamic collective of nine young musicians based in berlin and potsdam, blending electronic music, jazz, and hip-hop with unmatched energy. their ever-evolving sound creates a blissful harmony of virtuoso musicianship that instantly gets everyone on their feet. for the first time, the band has incorporated vocal features, collaborating with rapper mike nasa and soulful singer/producer evîn. with roots in jazz, wnbl embraces electronic influences, delivering genre-defying tracks like "still not in space" and "who is she." their live performances are characterized by powerful horns, tight rhythms, and exciting improvisations, with a four-piece brass section and two drummers ensuring infectious playfulness and ecstatic beats.

all ellington builds on the rich tradition of duke ellington. ellington said, “the music of my race is something more than the american idiom.” improvisation and individuality were the pillars of his music, and that is also at the core of all ellington. with a warm ensemble sound and adventurous solos, they present new compositions and arrangements. the emphasis is on the question: “what else can we do with this music?” all ellington combines the detail of ensemble playing with high-level individual contributions. the group consists of young, well-trained musicians and seasoned improvisers. they know what a melody is all about.

catharsis can be defined as the process of releasing strong or repressed emotions. it is also the name of the new band of rising star guitar player and composer michiel stekelenburg. the eponymous album reflects his inner struggles, the search for balance between vulnerability and strength. ‘it is a journey through my soul, a quest for balance between my inner world and the expectations of the external world,’ says michiel, who formed a band featuring seven top players who draw from jazz, rock and contemporary composed music. catharsis provides a fresh take on the conventional septet line-up. the modernly arranged three-part harmonies of the horn section are essential to the overall sound. expect fiery improvised solos, ethereal textures and dynamic compositions. catharsis is michiel stekelenburg’s fourth album. his previous album onoda earned him the second place in the poll for best jazz guitarist in the benelux of the magazine gitarist. as a sideman he collaborated with celebrated artists such as marcus miller, damien erskine and eric vloeimans.