The Jazz Voyager
This week the Jazz Voyager is flying out of Paris and is off to Denmark’s capital city to be part of the audience in the legendary jazz venue, Jazzhus Montmartre. The club gained its status as one of Europe’s preeminent venues during the Sixties when homegrown world class stars such as bassist Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen emerged. Soon Black musicians Coleman Hawkins, Dexter Gordon and Ben Webster, worn down by their treatment at home became Copenhagen residents and were intrigued by the warmth shown to them by Scandi audiences.
There I’ll be witness to a jazz competition between three up and coming jazz groups with their own take on where the music is heading. The jazz competition focuses on the development of young jazz musicians by offering them the opportunity to play live at professional venues, get professional feedback on their music, coaching and the opportunity to be exposed on the radio via P8 Jazz.
Kosmos Trio plays modern jazz in a minimalist and Nordic-sounding sound universe. The trio speaks a simple and understandable language via complex compositional ideas. This field of tension makes them an interesting and wide-ranging group that ensures a present and great concert experience. The trio is Frede Holger: Piano, Harald Hagelskjær: bass, Gustav Hagelskjær: drums.
KÖZ is a burgeoning band with origins in the Roots & Hybrid scene in Aarhus. The band fuses genres and styles from distant lands with modern western tones. The music encourages dancing as well as reflection. Rock, hip-hop, jazz and Afro-grooves are mixed with odd tones and time signatures and melancholic floating universes from the cold north. :The group is Anne Skov Frost Jensen, vocals & trombone, Alma Hjelholt: vocals & trumpet, Aske Høj Krogh: bass, Bjarke Frandsen Andersen: keys & rap, Frederik Lyhne Uhrenholt: guitar, Jacob Tang Maunsbach: guitar, Johanna Mosbech: vocals & trumpet , Mathias Ploug: drums.
Aske Stubkjær plays Nordic-sounding jazz with an experimental approach. The tracks emerge from visual and auditory observations from everyday natural actions. He captures situations in the present, and tries to embrace the moment in his music by using real sound and integrating the moments in the tracks. The duo is Aske Stubkjær: piano, Daniel Skov: guitar & synthesizer.
The club is located at Store Regnegade 19A, 1110 Copenhagen K. For more info the number is 70 20 20 96.
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The Jazz Voyager
From Italy to the Czech Republic to France is a journey that has led this Jazz Voyager to the long-running jazz club Le Duc des Lombards where American pianist Bobby Few opened the venue, then called the Bar de l’Etoile. With an upright piano under the stairs they have been hosting diverse artists for nearly 40 years.
The venue has been the essential club in Paris offering an intimate setting with drinks & nibbles. Decorated by the American designer Elliot Barnes, the club has become the Parisian reference for jazz clubs. Performances are Monday to Saturday and its free entry Jams every Friday and Saturday beginning at 11:30 p.m.
This week I will be in the 10:00pm audience to partake of the talents of drummer and vocalist Roni Kaspi and her trio with Oxy on Keyboards & synthesizer and bassist Noé Berne. Later that night the jam session commences where musicians, young and old come to improvise, explore and learn.
Located at 42, rue des lombards 75001 Paris, more information can be attained by calling 01.42.33.22.88.
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The Jazz Voyager
Leaving Rome but keeping with the tradition of the moving jazz venues for a second time, this Jazz Voyager is heading to Prague to take a first time cruise on the Jazz Boat. I’m told it’s a multidimensional experience where one can savor the beautiful sights and delights of the city, historical and off the beaten path as we cruise down the Vitava River
During the two and a half hour cruise I will be dining on salmon and potato gratin with apple strudel topped with ice and whipped creams for dessert while listening and enjoying three sets of music with bassist Jan Kořinek and his trio.
The Jazz Boat is located at Naplavka Na Františku Gate 18, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia, next to St. Agnes Monestary and The Brewery boat. The cover is 38€ and dinner will run 25€. Boarding begins at 8:00pm, departure at 8:30pm, return at 11:00pm. More information needed, you may call +420 734 141 554.
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The Jazz Voyager
So after a jazz packed holiday weekend in Atlanta, this Jazz Voyager is leaving the gateway to the South and the States for destinations across the pond. It’s time to see how those on the continent and in other parts of the world are doing post pandemic.
It’s off to Italy to hang at one of my favorite spots TramJazz in Rome. It’s 7 days out of 7, a lively sound with carioca nuances alternating with passionate romantic ballads. The evening features Camilla Noci on Vocal & Percussion, Dario Troisi on piano and harmonium, and guitarist Gianluca Figliola.
What I love about this venue is it offers an evening of entertainment combining a jazz concert and an excellent candlelit dinner with a night tour in the center of Rome, all aboard a historic tram from the ATAC collection, restored and rearranged as a traveling restaurant and concert hall.
Tramjazz is located at Artour Sas of Rossella Taverna & C. – Via Giorgio Vasari 14, 00196 Rome – P.I. 16376741001. Tickets range from €75.00 ~ €90.00. You can reach the venue by phone at +39 342 072 0089 and can always get ticket information at https://tramjazz.com.
As the saying goes, When in Rome…
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The Jazz Voyager
They say Atlanta, Georgia is hot and this may be one of the hottest weekends for jazz in the country which is why the Jazz Voyager is heading South for the Memorial Day weekend. My first stop kicking off the weekend on Friday evening at City Winery is to check out Superblue featuring Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter and special guest Scott Mulvahill.
The fifteen time nominated and two-time GRAMMY winner Kurt Elling has secured his place among the world’s foremost jazz vocalists. He has also received three awards from France, two Dutch, two from Germany, 14 year DownBeat Critics and Readers and twelve Jazz Journalists.
City Winery is located at Ponce City Market, 650 North Avenue NE 30308 Tickets range from $35.00~$45.00. You can reach the venue by phone at 404-946-3791 and can always get ticket information at citywinery.com/atlanta.
As if that isn’t enough music, the Atlanta Jazz Festival kicks off on Saturday with three days of free jazz in Piedmont Park. Bringing to the stage this year’s lineup includes Brandee Younger, Javon Jackson, Samara Joy, Wynton Marsalis, Lakecia Benjamin, Tony Hightower, Brenda Nicole Moorer, Stanley Clarke and many others. More information can be found at https://atljazzfest.com/2023-atlanta-jazz-festival-lineup/.
So needless to say this Jazz Voyager will be hanging out in Hotlanta till Tuesday when he’ll be on his way to his next jazz encounter!
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