Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

THU 25 NOV

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 Kojo 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.. (Lees meer).

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.

FRI 26 NOV

IVA BITTOVÁ & VLADIMIR VÁCLAVEK

One of the most memorable concerts ever to have taken place in Vooruit is that of violin player and vocal artist Iva Bittová and guitarist Vladimir Václavek in 1999. Both musicians write songs on the crossroads of folk and pop, with Bittová’s catchy voice at the centre. A concert by Bittová and Václavek is always an amazing experience.

In Ghent the duo proved that you will get a lot further with humble means and the right spirit than with state-of-the-art gadgets and gimmicks. (…) Even though the music was incredibly poignant at certain moments, Bittová and Václavek provided an evening of top-notch entertainment, which received a standing ovation in Vooruit’s completely sold-out Theaterzaal. Proof that there is still room for honest, acoustic music without gimmicks.” – De Morgen

EQUILIBRIUM (BADENHORST – PLOUG – PETTERSEN)

This international trio consists of three musicians who love pure and simple melodies. Their music is romantic and minimalist, but also has an inexplicable hypnotic appeal. Patient and passionate music that you can get lost in. The musicians combine contemporary chamber music, electronic music and jazz. Singer Pettersen draws inspiration from a multitude of vocal folk traditions ranging from Inuit throat singing to Norwegian folk songs and West-African griots.

LIESA VAN DER AA

De Morgen described Liesa Van der AA as “an artist to watch” after she opened for The Go Find at Vooruit. With nothing more than a violin, her voice and a loop station, this up-and-coming artist makes impressive indie pop with an edge.