Zoh Amba Bhakti / Takase+Sclavis+Bennink 19-04-24

vr 19 apr '24

Takase+Sclavis+Bennink

These three music icons first met as a trio in January '23 at the Münster Jazz Festival. Pianist Aki Takase and reed player Louis Sclavis have had a successful trio for years with several award-winning recordings, as have Takase and drummer Han Bennink. All styles vary, everyone has their own idea and history. Everything is reflected in the trio.

This is an alliance of masters who each symbolize an era of music, a very specific musical vision and style. But what binds them all is a musical understanding, a lot of humor and sympathy for the path of the other.

Zoh Amba's Bhakti with Farida Amadou & Chris Corsano

In case you don't know her yet, just remember the name Zoh Amba. This 23-year-old saxophonist from Tennessee is throwing high hopes and is being tipped as a great up-and-coming free jazz talent. With praise from institutions such as The New York Times, All About Jazz and Iggy Pop. She travels to Ghent with a mix of avant-garde and noise full of folk melodies, enchanting choruses and repeated incantations.

Amba released two records in 2022, her debut record O, Sun was produced by John Zorn and released on the prestigious label Tzadik. Bhakti is the name of her ongoing ensemble with ever-changing members.

Bhakti
Zoh Amba (saxophone), Farida Amadou (bass), Chris Corsano (drums)

A little more about Aki Takase, Louis Sclavis and Han Bennink

Aki Takase has been living in Berlin since the late 80s and is one of the stars of the German jazz scene. Starting her international career in the USA, where she performed with Sheila Jordan, David Liebman, Cecil McBee, Lester Bowie, Bob Moses, Joe Henderson etc., she had her first European appearance at the Berlin Jazzfestival. Ever since she has been touring worldwide with her projects including artists like Alex v Schlippenbach, Han Bennink, Maria Joao, NHOP, David Murray, Terry Lynn Carrington, Rudi Mahall and many more.

"Breathtaking technique, tremendous power and a fine sense of humor characterize her projects and bands. She often reworks old blues and early jazz in the spirit and means of free jazz, as she did years ago in a multi-award-winning Fats Waller program." Oliver Hochkeppel, Süddeutsche Zeitung
French clarinet virtuoso and godfather of Folklore Imaginaire Louis Sclavis is one of the most versatile clarinetists who sees his musical roots between classical, jazz and theatre. Hear him play is pure amazement, being a soloist or playing in ensemble. He is his own legacy with different projects with Vincent Courtois, Michel Portal, Evan Parker, Dominique Pifarely and many more.

"His achievements are already steeped in history, not only for his compatriots. Even outside France, Louis Sclavis has been one of the leading jazz voices on clarinets of all sizes and on the saxophone for a quarter of a century. And he simply never tires of exploring new stylistic paths with ever new projects and sidemen. "Jazzecho
Last but not least legendary drummer Han Bennink is stepping into this new adventure. Known for his collaborations at the Globe Unity Orchestra, ICP Orchestra, Misha Mengelberg, Nina Simone and many more, he is always a reliable rhythm section.

"Han Bennink hears sonic possibilities in many objects outside the typical drum kit. The Dutch drum maestro, one of the leaders in European free jazz and free improvisation, has performed with a drum kit made of cheese, his own body and whatever found objects - or space - he happens to come across." NPR.org

It´s quite sure to expect a highly exciting evening with a good amount of humour on stage. To mention with whom they all performed would fill too many pages, but definitely one of most ear catching trios these days.