With "Borrowed an Blue" Lisa Bassenge has recorded a finely crafted album, perfectly suited for the not too distant autumn – it will be released on September 28th. The mood of this album: sombre timbres bedded in gentle and subtle mid tempo grooves. At her side Swedish pianist Jacob Karlzon and Danish bass player Andreas Lang.
Last night Jeff Cascaro has opened the Stimmen Festival in Lörrach. And today the Badische Zeitung, as current as can be, features the jazz & soul singer on their front page. It was a memorable night indeed, during which the singer also presented himself once more as the formidable trumpet player that he is.
Summertime is festival time. The season is in full swing and our artists are right in the midst of it. Lily Dahab will present her new program Bajo un mismo cielo on Thursday July 19th at the Cultoursommer in Halle, 8 p.m. at the Hof des Neuen Theaters. The next day she and her band will be heading to Straubing to open the Rivertone Festival at 6 p.m.. The title of her brand new album translates as “underneath a heaven shared” - and that is precisely the attitude towards life that is transported by her music.
Tickets for these festivals are available here:
As a singer Lily Dahab is more than used to holding a microphone in her hands. One more reason for her and her piano player/arranger Bene Aperdannier to be as comfortable as delighted about being invited for an interview at Radio Eins. Here – close to the microphone and clearly relaxed – she could talk about her new CD Bajo un mismo cielo and explain her musical world. The programme is called Lokalmatador (´local hero´) and is a perfect fit for a musician originally from Argentina, and now at home in Berlin. You may call Lily´s music a skilful mix of all kinds of Latin styles and jazz.
In the western regions of Germany you may come across some awe-inspiring symbols of early industrialism. For me, a child of the more idyllic Black Forest, the sight of the Zeche Zollverein in Essen is quite simply breathtaking. And it is here, at this industrial monument, that the first and very well attended JazzNacht took place – which has proved to be a perfect choice by the organisers.
All these mornings tend to be alike: up with the legs, have a tea. Not just a ritual, rather a necessity. But the thoughts already revolve around music. This morning I took the three sidesteps to the stereo and put on Jeff Cascaro´s latest record “Love and Blues in the City”. No later than the fabulous track “Ain´t No Love in the Heart of the City” and the spirits are wide awake and jumping. An incredibly beautiful piece of music, with a gentle, subtle groove. While listening to this production it occurred to me, that something might have got lost in contemporary jazz.
Berlin and Hamburg quickly are growing together closer this year. The simple explanation being the tight communication between the artist and the label. A constant back and forth of information. And despite the pace, we are keeping connected to our shared vision: providing good listeners with good music. That is not just a matter of marketing, for in the end it is you, the critical listeners, who will decide. And by the end of September you will be equally surprised and excited by the mature brilliance of Lisa Bassenge´s new album Borrowed and Blue.
Summer is here and so is Lily Dahab´s new summer album. What kind of music are we listening to in summer? Vivacious and passionate music, of course! Which is exactly what Lily Dahab has to offer in abundance. The singer, being raised in Argentina and now based in Berlin, has incorporated an ever wider range of Latin sounds and rhythms into her music. Original compositions, as well as interpretations of songs by Djavan, Violeta Parra, or Baden Powell – everything the heart desires.
How truly delightful, if you have the time – and will - to take some time off now and then. That way you may climb up the stage, take a good look around and ponder how the artists may feel. On June the 1st during the Elbjazz at the Schiffbauhalle with a felt temperature of 30° degrees I had the chance to do exactly that. When the Nighthawks were entering the Schiffbauhallen-stage at 22:45 a mighty early summer thunderstorm had just passed. And the warm groovy sound of this great band provided the perfect conclusion for the first festival day in front of a swinging swaying crowd of 2000.
In 2011, at one of the first editions of the Elbjazz, the Nighthawks gave a legendary performance. This is documented on their CD & DVD “Live in Hamburg”. Now the signals are send across the Elbe once again and the band will return to the Blohm & Voss site to present their new album “707”. On June the 1st this award-winning rock-jazz-ensemble will play at the Schiffbauhalle 7. The concert will begin at 22:30 h. If you love moments for eternity – don´t miss it!
The 23. Hildener Jazztage are taking place between the 29th of May and the 3rd of June, featuring international jazz artists of all styles. On Friday, June 1st, at 21 h, Jeff Cascaro will present his varied and exciting new program in a quartet with Hendrik Soll (piano and keyboards), Jörg Achim Keller (drums) and Christian von Kaphengst (bass). The concert will be recorded by radio station WDR and broadcast on WDR 3.
Location:
QQTec
Forststraße 73, 40723 Hilden
More information and tickets:
www.hildener-jazztage.de
Throughout the years of our active label work we have forged many a close relationship. But the Jazz Rally, this absolutely unique music festival in the old town of Düsseldorf, has become a true friend. Over the years almost all of our artists have let their voices resound or blown their horns here. Be it in the Festival Tent, in the pubs, the state parliament or at the shopping mall – the whole city becomes a cosmopolitan stage. And this time even four of our artists will be represented!
Every year the international jazz scene gets together in Bremen. Only a hop away from Hamburg, but almost half a world from Canada. We just have to load up our yellow van and whiz over to Bremen, full of enthusiasm. You will find us at the joined stand Jazzmoves 6D19. Come to us, we are open and happy to talk, be it business or pleasure. Open-mindedness is the common credo of this fair – a fair that also stands for an open society in general. The damage to the musical culture of Germany that has been done at the Echo Awards, will be at least partly mitigated here.
It is a mind-boggling degree of ignorance the decision-makers of the Echo Awards seem to be blessed with. Giving one of the most prestigious German music awards to Kollegah & Farid Bang, while these deranged pseudo-artists are making fun and business out of mocking the victims of the Holocaust in their lyrics. Some people may want to raise the flag of artistic freedom, while ignoring the context we live in – when victims are vilified by malicious blather, freedom - artistic or not - comes to an end, one way or another.
In late April Jeff Cascaro will go on tour with his new program Love and Blues in the City: April 26th in Cologne, Erzengel Michaelkirche; April 27th Herford, Schiller; April 28th Greven, Kulturschmiede. He will be joined on stage by Christian von Kaphengst (b), Roberto Di Gioia (p) and Jörg Achim Keller (dr). Soul jazz connoisseurs will smack their lips at Cascaro´s congenial interpretations of songs like Ain´t no Love in the Heart of the City, Ode to Billy Joe, Inner City Blues and many more.
A couple of weeks ago, at the end of March, we had a meeting in our office, discussing the means, ends and possibilities of brand development. Routine in big business – a novelty for us. This morning, while shuffling my way to the bakery quite early, with eyes and mind open, taking a gaze to the right and there it was: a disfigured trademark. Quietly smiling to myself I was on my way, for sometimes and in a deeper sense it feels like there is music in everything. Up and down, loud or quiet, high or low. Music is not bad music just because it uses more or less notes.
Lily Dahab has come a long way. She has found a new home in Berlin, where she - together with pianist Bene Aperdannier - is creating her musical visions, reaching an ever broader audience. Now her new album will be released in May. Truly enchanting and mesmerizing music! Lily Dahab has put a vocal intensity into these recordings, that is likely to take your breath away: voices, loud and proud, whispering, breathing. Deeply existential music, equally concerned with the personal and the general.
Who ever did invent vinyl? It almost smells of the times of gunpowder and moonshine whiskey. And still it gets the true listeners all excited and dewy-eyed. You will find them at the record booth – not the CD-shop! - checking out and enthusing over 180gr. discs. And we are in the midst of providing the appreciators with some hot new fodder in the shape of a Nighthawks classic: Rio Bravo. Truly wonderful music, deserving to be remastered for and released as a vinyl LP. You may say it is a bit like the fruit vendors polishing their apples and pears to an even fresher shine.
When the daffodils are only just poking their heads through the snow, the confirmations for the summer festivals are dropping in. The Nighthawks, as well as some of our other bands, will be playing the Jazz-Rally Düsseldorf on May 19th. The Nighthawks will then rally on to the Elbjazz in Hamburg on June 1st. You will have the chance to see Jeff Cascaro on June 1st at the Hildener Jazztage, on the 22th of June in Essen at the Lange Jazznacht and at Lörrach´s Stimmenfestival on July 17th.