Schedule

In just a few years, young trumpet player Christian Scott has become synonymous with a new jazz generation. He shakes up the conventions of jazz by taking the genre to new horizons and reaching a wider audience. No doubt, at 33 years old, Christian Scott is already forging his own path. After each record release, he seems even more determined to challenge the rules of jazz with his own avant-garde style. At his 2018 show at La Coopérative de Mai, Christian Scott celebrates 100 years of jazz with the program “The Centennial Trilogy.” Expect a unique performance in an intimate theatre setting, shot in native 4K!

Since 1977, Estival is a summer jazz festival in Switzerland, Lugano. Estival offers a thrilling and particularly surprising line-up that explores the rich world of contemporary music whilst promoting the understanding of different cultures, tolerance, and co-existence. The 29th Street Saxophone Quartet is an American quartet founded in 1982 by alto saxophonists Bobby Watson and Ed Jackson, tenor saxophonist Rich Rothenberg and baritone saxophonist Jim Hartog. The band has an eclectic repertoire ranging from jazz to show, funk, rap, and experimental music.

Jazz fans in television land have come to the right place for their dose of first-rate world jazz: TorTube! Jazz club De Tor in Enschede is one of Europe’s most authentic jazz venues, with an absolutely unique ambiance. Some of the best musicians from Holland and the rest of the world find their way to De Tor to perform for an appreciative audience of jazz fans. In this broadcast of TorTube, the great trumpeter Eric Vloeimans and his associate, pianist Florian Weber, perform a set named “A good conversation” (‘Een goed gesprek’). Great music and a perfect ambiance prove an irresistible combination!

Since 1977, Estival is a summer jazz festival in Switzerland, Lugano. Estival offers a thrilling and particularly surprising line-up that explores the rich world of contemporary music whilst promoting the understanding of different cultures, tolerance, and co-existence. Miriam Makeba, also named Mama Africa, was a South African singer, actress, United Nations goodwill ambassador, and civil-rights activist. Her career flourished in the US, where she released several albums. Makeba was among the first African musicians to receive worldwide recognition. She brought African music to a Western audience, and popularized the world music and Afropop genres. Her performances at Estival Lugano is beyond incredible. Her voice, the power and the soul summarizes her musicality in 40 minutes, together with her band and extremely talented backing-vocals.

Stemming from Brazil's São Paulo, Bixiga 70 is an exciting brass and percussion-based instrumental dance ensemble that combines jazz, funk, and Afro-Brazilian music, incorporating elements from dub, reggae, electronics, cumbia, carimbo, Ethio-jazz, and samba. The name Bixiga 70 is taken from a vibrant neighbourhood in downtown São Paulo. Organic, ritualistic, and sometimes even primal, the band’s music appeals to those who seek out mental and physical freedom.

Annual trade fair, exhibition, and festival jazzahead! is one of the international jazz community's most important events. Hosted in Bremen, Germany, jazzahead! brings together musicians, bookers, agents, organizers, jazz experts, and music enthusiasts at the world’s largest jazz event. In 2023, jazzahead! paid special attention to Germany’s jazz scene and invited thirty jazz acts from all over the world to perform over the course of three days. Among the groups presenting themselves at jazzahead! 2023 are UASSYN. This Swiss ensemble that has become one of the most exciting trios in today’s European jazz. The forceful and primal energy of Tapiwa Svosve (alto saxophone), Silvan Jeger (double bass), and Vincent Glanzmann (drums) permeates the familiar sound of the jazz trio.

Annual trade fair, exhibition, and festival jazzahead! is one of the international jazz community's most important events. Hosted in Bremen, Germany, jazzahead! brings together musicians, bookers, agents, organizers, jazz experts, and music enthusiasts at the world’s largest jazz event. In 2022, jazzahead! paid special attention to Canada’s jazz scene and invited forty jazz acts from all over the world to perform over the course of three days. One of the projects presented at jazzahead! is the outcome of a commission by Amsterdam jazz club BIMHUIS: composer Tijn Wybenga (1993) was asked to research and establish the sound of Amsterdam in the 21st century. This resulted in an album and various concert dates with the Amsterdam Modern Orkest (playfully abbreviated ‘AM.OK’). Tijn Wybenga conducts this all-star ensemble of Alistair Payne (trumpet), Kika Sprangers (alto saxophone), Nicolo Francescoricci (tenor saxophone), Oliver Emmitt (trombone), Pablo Rodriguez (violin), Oene van Geel (viola), George Dumitriu (viola), Pau Sola (cello), Teis Semey (guitar), Alessandro Fongaro (bass), and Jamie Peet (drums).

Four exceptional musicians team up to perform classic pop and soul songs made famous by the likes of Gregory Porter, Stevie Wonder, U2, Seal, and many more. Pianist Alfio Origlio signed up to do the arrangements. Walter Ricci, an accomplished jazz vocalist from Naples, eases us into his musical universe with his stunning sensitivity. He is accompanied by an exceptional rhythm section composed of Manu Katché on drums, Jérôme Regard on bass, and Alfio Origlio on piano. This concert was recorded at Festival Jazz au Sommet 2020 in France.

Embark on a remarkable journey through the world of jazz piano as we showcase some of the most iconic and influential pianists in history. This collection of extraordinary performances captures the unique essence and brilliance of legendary pianists Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and others. Revel in Oscar Peterson’s virtuosity as his trio plays “C-Jam Blues” in Holbaek, Denmark, on May 2, 1964. Let the sublime artistry of Art Tatum captivate you as he interprets Antonín Dvořák's “Humoresque” in 1953. Discover Thelonious Monk’s enigmatic genius as his quartet performs his iconic composition “Round About Midnight” in Poland on April 4, 1966. Experience the timeless appeal of the Dave Brubeck Quartet's odd-metered “Take Five", recorded live in Brussels, Belgium, on October 10, 1964. Delight in the lyrical beauty of Bud Powell's solo performance of “Sweet and Lovely” at the Antibes Jazz Festival of July 13, 1960. Witness the fusion of jazz and funk in Herbie Hancock & The Headhunters' exhilarating studio performance of “Sly” in Bremen, Germany, recorded on November 6, 1974. Lastly, enjoy the soulful grooves of Horace Silver's “Song for my Father” performed by his quintet at the Umbria Jazz Festival of July 20, 1976. Tune in and let these legendary jazz pianists transport you on unforgettable musical adventures!

The Newport Jazz Festival, first established in the North-American town of Newport, Rhode Island in the summer of 1954, has now grown to become one of the largest multi-day celebrations of jazz worldwide. It has resulted in numerous famous live albums from top-rate jazz stars, and has spawned several worldwide tours, including editions of the Newport Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In October 1972, the Newport Jazz Festival in Rotterdam welcomed the Giants of Jazz, an all-star band featuring drummer Art Blakey, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, bassist Al McKibbon, pianist Thelonious Monk, saxophonist Sonny Stitt and trombonist Kai Winding. Part 2.

British pianist George Shearing enjoyed an international reputation as an instrumentalist, arranger, and composer. Equally at home on the classical concert stage as in jazz clubs, he was recognized for his inventive, orchestrated jazz. In this live recording from the Munich Philharmonie, Shearing played in a duo format with Canadian double bassist Neil Swainson. The repertoire consisted of a selection of compositions by Shearing himself, among them ‘Lullaby Of Birdland’, which is a standard in jazz repertoire.

Since 1993, the Dutch band New Cool Collective has been happily grooving thanks to its unique mix of jazz, dance, latin, salsa, afrobeat and boogaloo. They are always funky, energetic and dance-worthy. As pioneers in the Dutch jazz scene, NCC has received many awards and the band has toured the great expanses of Europe, Asia and North America. Besides hipster jazz clubs, the band plays huge pop and rock festivals, such as Sziget, Lowlands (Netherlands) and the Aberdeen Alternative Festival. Its members have also collaborated with many Dutch and international artists on tour and in the studio. This concert shows New Cool Collective with special guests Jules Deelder and Anton Goudsmit, live at the Rotterdam Luxor Theatre. Expect energetic, danceable and great music!

This portrait of Marcus Miller was recorded during his 2009 ‘Tutu Revisited’ tour. Miller looks back on his relationship with Miles Davis. Miller tells us about writing his composition 'Tutu', and shares countless stories of the recording process of the album 'Tutu'. This documentary was filmed in 2009 at the 'We Want Miles' exhibition in Cité de la Musique in Paris.

Since 2005, the Morgenland Festival of Osnabrueck has dedicated itself to the fascinating music culture of the Near and Middle East. From traditional and classical music to avant-garde, jazz, and rock, the festival program also features art, such as visual arts, dance, and theatre of interdisciplinary projects. Recorded at the Morgenland Festival, the “Songs Without Frontiers” collection brings together exceptional collaborations between a variety of musicians from around the globe, interspersed with interviews that present the genesis of these works.

Imagine that visual arts and music are no longer two separate fields; that musicians no longer focus on their instruments only, but also on the visuals of their performance. Such is the premise of Mn'JAM Experiment! Zoom in on their music and you’ll find a mix between empirical and rationally constructed elements; between acoustic, electric and electronic instruments; urban rhythms and traditional melodies, vocal loops and guitar solos, turntables and acoustic drums. Zoom in on the visuals of the performance -they are analogously a product of pre-composed material and live manipulation, mostly carried out by the guy behind the turntables. Zoom out, and discover that music and visuals form a unit - this project is shaping the future of performances when it comes to roles and possibilities within musical settings. Mn’JAM is literally breaking new ground in jazz.

In 1956, Duke Ellington and his Orchestra performed a legendary set at the third annual Newport Jazz Festival. It was tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves’ outstanding 27-chorus solo on “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue” that revitalized Ellington’s career. The success generated during that performance carried him for the rest of his life. By 1973, festivals carrying the Newport name were organized all over the world. Less than a year before his death, Ellington and his Orchestra, with Gonsalves still in the fold, appeared in Brussels to deliver a timeless performance before a highly appreciative crowd.

Legendary jazz pianist Horace Silver's groundbreaking fusion of hard bop, blues, soulful grooves and Cape Verdean influences have left an indelible mark on the world of jazz. At the renowned Umbria Jazz Festival in the picturesque region of Umbria, Italy, Silver is accompanied by a great band of future all-stars: Bob Berg on tenor sax, Tom Harrell on trumpet, Steve Beskrone on bass and Eddie Gladden on drums. During this performance from July 20, 1976, Silver’s quintet stretches out on four Silver originals: “Adjustment”, “Barbara”, “In Pursuit of the 27th Man”, and “Song For My Father”. Tune in and let Horace Silver’s irresistible music mesmerize you!

The Newport Jazz Festival, first established in the North-American town of Newport, Rhode Island in the summer of 1954, has now grown to become one of the largest multi-day celebrations of jazz worldwide. It has resulted in numerous famous live albums from top-rate jazz stars, and has spawned several worldwide tours, including editions of the Newport Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In October 1968, two former colleagues met again on stage, this time leading their own bands at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rotterdam: drummer Art Blakey and pianist Horace Silver were both co-founders of The Jazz Messengers.

Annual trade fair, exhibition, and festival jazzahead! is one of the international jazz community's most important events. Hosted in Bremen, Germany, jazzahead! brings together musicians, bookers, agents, organizers, jazz experts, and music enthusiasts at the world’s largest jazz event. In 2022, jazzahead! paid special attention to Canada’s jazz scene and invited forty jazz acts from all over the world to perform over the course of three days. One of the artists making their mark at jazzahead! 2022 is French alto saxophonist Léon Phal, accompanied by trumpeter Zacharie Kysk, keyboardist Gauthier Toux, drummer Arthur Alard, and double bassist Rémi Bouyssière. Léon Phal belongs to a new generation of jazz musicians who has been as much inspired by the soul, hip hop and electronic music of the 2000s, as by the jazz standards. His free, dynamic interpretations are always firmly grounded in the jazz tradition.

Pianist John Lewis, co-founder and long-time leader of the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet, wrote jazz history with that band. His ability to blend classical forms with jazz improvisations singled him out as a unique artist, who was capable of transcending every musical barrier. When the Modern Jazz Quartet retired, John Lewis continued to work with other musicians and as a solo pianist. This program, recorded in studio conditions, features a spell-binding solo performance.

Dexter Gordon: Live in '63 & '64 features three concerts filmed in Holland, Switzerland, and Belgium that highlight the bebop legend's classic style and silky tone. These shows feature legendary side musicians such as Art Taylor (drums) and Kenny Drew (piano), and jazz classics “Blues Walk”, “A Night In Tunisia”, “Body And Soul”, and others. One of the most influential saxophonists in jazz history, Dexter Gordon is captured in sharp form and style in this 70-minute tour de force.

Rising star of the jazz guitar Scott DuBois leads his quartet, consisting of Gebhard Ullmann (reeds), Thomas Morgan (bass), and Kresten Osgood (drums), in an intimate and atmospheric performance at Munich’s Jazz Club Unterfahrt in March 2016. The group’s telepathy is such that they are able to go from deathly quiet to fiercely avant-garde at the drop of a hat. For this occasion, DuBois and his group gave a full performance of his "Winter Light" album, released a few months earlier, plus his 'Lake Shore Suite'.

The North Sea Jazz Festival is the largest indoor music festival in the world, known globally as the event where the past, present and future of jazz are featured within three days. Next to a firm base of jazz as the festival’s staple music genre, many others, such as blues, soul, funk, or hip hop, pass by. In 1986, renowned American saxophonist Wayne Shorter performed with his quartet at the North Sea Jazz festival in The Hague. The acclaimed musician has quite a notable career, having been a composer for Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, a member of Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet and a co-founder of the lauded jazz fusion group Weather Report.

Montreal's very own jazz group SHPIK offers a bold and impressionistic music, drawing its inspirations from jazz, nature, and film. Evoking the great outdoors, self-discovery, and navigating between the immense and the infinitely small, this first album offers an intricate musical journey that is both energetic and reflective. Consisting of pianist and composer Arnaud Spick-Saucier, bassist Etienne Dextraze, drummer Philippe Lussier-Baillargeon, and saxophonist/flutist Alex Dodier, SHPIK has performed at famous jazz events, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Do yourself a favour by not missing this extraordinary breath of fresh air.

Following a highly successful small-group jazz concert at New York Town Hall on May 17, 1947, Armstrong's manager Joe Glaser dissolved the Armstrong big band on August 13, 1947 and established a six-piece small group. This group was called the All Stars, and in 1964 Louis Armstrong recorded his biggest-selling record, Hello, Dolly! He made assorted television appearances, especially in the 1950s and 1960s – the recorded film was a TV Show in Australia when Armstrong was at the peak of his career. Armstrong kept up his busy tour schedule until a few years before his death in 1971. He also toured Africa, Europe, and Asia under sponsorship of the US State Department with great success, earning the nickname ‘Ambassador Satch’.