Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

MÂÄK & ALBERT ANANGOKO ENSEMBLE - KOJO

Mâäk often draws inspiration from remote parts of the world, as illustrated by their collaborations with Moroccan, South-African and Malian musicians. Fascinated by Vodun music – transcendental music with therapeutic effects – the band travelled to Benin in West Africa. Together with percussion legend Albert Anangoko and several local musicians, Mâäk developed the Vodun project, which brings together tradition and improvisation. Mâäk will be performing with a special lineup: the band will consist of horns only. Apart from French revelation Guillaume Orti and “Flemish Coltrane” Jeroen Van Herzeele on the sax, you’ll also hear Michel Massot (Rêve d’éléphant, Trio Grande, Tuur Florizoone) on the tuba and Laurent Blondiau – frontman of Mâäk – on the trumpet. The audience will also be shown a short documentary on Mâäk’s journey to Benin and their encounters with local musicians.

NEIL COWLEY TRIO

Neil Cowley’s music is often described as “Jazz for Radiohead fans” in the press, but Cowley himself describes it as music “for the hands and feet”. The trio is all the rage in their home country England. They won the 2007 BBC Jazz Award for Best Album, their album was listed in the top 50 albums of 2008 by MOJO, who called it “one of the most refreshing and heart-warming albums of the year. It transcends all genres. A modern classic.” Their new album, ‘Radio Silence’, up for release in 2010, strikes the perfect balance between elegant poetry, vibrant riffs and light-hearted melodies.

• You can also get a combined ticket for this concert with the concert by Iva Bittová & Vladimir Václavek / Badenhorst – Ploug – Pettersen / Liesa Van der Aa on Fri 26 Nov.