Ragini trio / BB&C

RAGINI TRIO

Consisting of Lander Gyselinck, globetrotter Nathan Daems and bass player Marco Bardoscia (Pedro Fresu, Enrico Rava), Ragini Trio proves that jazz and Indian classical music have a lot in common. For example: both are rooted in improvisation. This time, however, the classical Indian tabla/tampura/sitar line-up is replaced by its jazz counterpart drums/double bass/saxophone.

The result is a technical, passionate, powerful and elegant firework of three musicians with a strong musical intuition. Age-old melodies are teleported to another continent and another era, shedding new light on the ‘classical’ jazz trio and opening doors to new and challenging horizons. During this tour, Ragini Trio presents us with its debut album, which was recently released on the renowned Belgian Jazz label W.E.R.F.

Nathan Daems (tenor and soprano saxophone, composition) – Marco Bardoscia (double bass) – Lander Gyselinck (drums)

BB&C (TIM BERNE, JIM BLACK, NELS CLINE)

BB&C, a trio consisting of first-class New York musicians Tim Berne, Jim Black and Nels Cline, plays power jazz in which they explore the boundaries of their instruments. Together, they create musical projects that bring out both their virtuosity and their daring nature.

Tim Berne’s career and discography are impressive. With his exceptional saxophone skills, he makes complexly layered music swing, producing gorgeous sounds or deafening roars. Jim Black is one of the most versatile and refined drummers in the New York scene. His vibe is unique, whether he’s playing in a nearly classical jazz context with his own trio, or rocking out with Alasno Axis. Not only famous as Wilco’s guitarist, Nels Cline also excels in countless other projects, like the Nels Cline Singers. Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy once said: “Nels Cline can play anything. While it is sometimes a quest to find his place in the band, the fact that it is a struggle always results in something unique and interesting.” Berne, Black and Cline met each other in other bands to which they collaborated.

Veil, the trio’s only album so far, received a four-star review in The Guardian and is a live recording in John Zorn’s The Stone club. According to Jazz Times, it is an “alchemical mixture of explosive out-jazz and apocalyptical rock, with moments of fragile beauty.” A live performance of this band will captivate and enthrall until the last chord has faded.