Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

A combination of jazz, pop and soul with a spiritual touch and a hint of drama, that’s Dez Mona in a nutshell. The band was born at Recyclart 2003, where one-off duo Nicolas Rombouts (double bass) and Gregory Frateur (vocals) decided to continue working together.

Both of them started writing their own songs. Luckily for them, this proved successful. They were the first band ever to perform at the AB concert hall in Brussels three times without even having a record out. For their first album, Pursued Sinners, which was recorded in a church, they were joined by accordionist Roel Van Camp from DAAU.

By the time they recorded their second album, Dejection or Despondency, which was released early in 2007 and received rave reviews everywhere, Dez Mona became a quintet. Roel Van Camp became a fixed member of the band, and was joined by jazz musicians Steven Cassiers (drums) and Bram Weijters (piano).

The gripping mix of darkness, theatricality and strings works because it is remarkable. That and the fact that singer Gregory Frateur sounds like a tormented, overage Diva, makes this band so incredibly intriguing. (translated from www.goddeau.com)

Kris Dane, who commutes between Brussels and Brooklyn, just released the first part of his musical trilogy. He describes the record, Songs of Crime and Passion, as heaven and hell, angels, home, passion and crime. Sounds like a fascinating mix!