59th Jazz Festival Ljubljana

Programme

 
WED / 27 Jun
19.00 DrummingCellist (Slovenia)
20.00 Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, Chris Potter
Double concert, Gallus Hall, EUR 15*–28
21.30 MTF feat. Sub-Lime (Slovenia)
CD Park, admission free
 
THU / 28 Jun
18.00 Aleš Rendla Sextet (Slovenia)
19.30 December Soul (Italy/Slovenia)
21.00 Lovro Ravbar & Get On Board Collective (Slovenia/Cuba)
CD Park, admission free
22.00 Portico Quartet (Great Britain)
CD Club, EUR 18, 14*
 
FRI / 29 Jun
18.30 Lore (Italy/Slovenia/France)
20.00 Rohey (Norway) Pre-concert presentation of the 2018 European Jazz Network (EJN) Award for Adventurous Programming to the Jazz Festival Ljubljana
21.30 Hermia / Ceccaldi / Darrifourcq Trio (Belgium/France)
CD Park, admission free
 
23.00 Goran Kajfeš Subtropic Arkestra (Sweden)
CD Club, EUR 16, 12*
 
SAT / 30 Jun 
10.00 Children’s workshop Make Your Own Musical Instrument (4+)
11.00 Abeceda (Slovenia)
CD Park, admission free
15.00 Clean Feed presents: Lisbon Underground Music Ensemble L.U.M.E. (Portugal). Post-concert culinary meeting between Bosnia and Portugal
CD Club, EUR 16, 12*
17.00 Rok Zalokar – Port Songs (Slovenia/Italy/The Netherlands)
18.15 Elifantree (Finland)
CD Park, admission free
19.30 Dhafer Youssef 4tet (Tunisia/USA)
Linhart Hall, EUR 14*–24
21.00 Bowrain (Slovenia, Germany)
CD Park, admission free
22.00 Shake Stew (Austria)
23.30 Vasko Atanasovski Melem feat. Bojan Z (Slovenia/France)
Double concert, CD Club, EUR 16, 12*

Accompanying programme /see www.ljubljanajazz.si for more information /
 
26 June (opening at 20.00) through 24 August 2018
Petra Cvelbar: In Women's Hands (photo exhibition)
Small Gallery, admission free
 
Throughout the Festival
Ancient Tree Stage
Interventions by young creative music artists
CD Park, admission free
 

Detailed Programme

 
WED / 27 Jun / 19.00                    
DrummingCellist (Slovenia)
Kristijan Krajnčan, cello, drums
Kristijan Krajnčan, who has built up an enviable international reputation, is appearing with his solo project. DrummingCellist employs an exciting, fresh, daring and out-of-the-ordinary approach, exploring the possibilities of two paramount instruments with a pure and comprehensive artistic vision.
Gallus Hall, EUR 17, 20, 24, 28, 15*(double concert with Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, Chris Potter)
 
WED / 27 Jun / 20.00                    
Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, Chris Potter (Great Britain/India/USA)
Dave Holland, bass; Zakir Hussain, tabla; Chris Potter, saxophone
An all-star line-up of undisputed virtuoso performers, the trio revives the ideas of the 1970s jazz figures who blended jazz with other styles, most frequently incorporating elements of Indian music. The unbridled mysteriousness of Indian rhythms sensually overlaps with abstract and ethereal jazz themes.
Gallus Hall, EUR 17, 20, 24, 28, 15*(double concert with DrummingCellist)
 
WED / 27 Jun / 21.30
MTF feat. Sub-Lime (Slovenia)
Murat, beatbox, rap; Tomaž Gajšt, trumpet, keyboards; Urška Centa, dance; Lenart Krečič, tenor saxophone; Marko Črnčec, keyboards; Tadej Kampl, bass; Kristijan Krajnčan, drums
A project bringing together two new-fledged Slovenian bands, MTF feat. Sub-Lime synthesises highly diverse musical forms: jazz, hip-hop and flamenco. Creating a particularly compelling rhythmic (and visual) texture, beatboxer Murat and dancer Urška Centa have an equal role in weaving a grid of vibrantly interlocking rhythms.
CD Park, admission free
 
THU / 28 Jun / 18.00
Aleš Rendla Sextet (Slovenia)
Primož Fleischman, tenor, soprano saxophone, flute; Aljaž Rendla, clarinet, alto clarinet; Rebeka Zajc, keyboards, piano; Jani Moder, electric guitar; Jošt Drašler, double bass, electric bass; Aleš Rendla, drums, percussion
A veteran of the national jazz scene known from the bands Begnagrad, Srp, Quatebriga, Bratko Bibič & The Madleys and Fake Orchestra, Rendla’s gig will feature compositions from his second album, Dreamings/Sanjarije, an original vision of genre-crossing music, ranging through jazz and ethnic music to fusion and improvisation.
CD Park, admission free
 
THU / 28 Jun / 19.30
December Soul (Italy/Slovenia)
Stefano Battaglia, piano; Salvatore Maiore, bass; Zlatko Kaučič, drums, percussion
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of his life in music, Zlatko Kaučič will appear at the Ljubljana festival with an international trio whose 2013 debut album was a runaway success. Their latest musical offering is spun from delicately nuanced and subtle fabric, and highly refined lyrical expressiveness.
CD Park, admission free
 
THU / 28 Jun / 21.00
Lovro Ravbar & Get On Board Collective (Slovenia/Cuba)
Lovro Ravbar, alto, soprano saxophone; Tomaž Gajšt, trumpet; Jure Urek, bass trombone; Miha Koretič, guitar; Jernej Trobentar, guitar; Nejc Škofic, keyboards; Jani Hace, bass; Maurizio Ravalico, percussion; David Morgan, drums
In his latest project, Lovro Ravbar, a saxist actively engaged both in jazz (leader of various groups, Slovenian and Croatian national big bands, etc.) and rock and pop (LeeLooJamais), blends jazz with elements of funk, soul and other genres into an idiosyncratic ‘cosmic’ jazz.
CD Park, admission free
 
THU / 28 Jun / 22.00                     
Portico Quartet (Great Britain)
Jack Wyllie, saxophone; Keir Vine, keyboards; Milo Fitzpatrick, bass; Duncan Bellamy, drums, electronics
Formed in 2005, the band’s genre-bending elusiveness makes it impossible to pin down, sending out echoes of electronica, jazz, minimalism, ambient and film music… Portico Quartet has unleashed a new wave of British jazz (Gogo Penguin, Cinematic Orchestra), an upsurge of young British bands that also appeal to Slovenian audiences.
CD Club, EUR 18, 14*
 
FRI / 29 Jun / 18.30
Lore (Italy/Slovenia/France)
Laura Giavon, vocals; Pia Podgornik, alto saxophone; Giuseppe Doronzo, baritone saxophone; Tancrède D. Kummer, drums
An Amsterdam-based international ensemble (featuring a Slovenian member), Lore’s haunting soundscapes are underscored by uncommon instrumentation and improvisational stamina. The quartet dexterously steers its way through minimalism, avantgarde jazz and quiet folk melodies.
CD Park, admission free

FRI / 29 Jun / 20.00                                
Rohey (Norway) Pre-concert presentation of the European Jazz Network Award (EJN) to the Jazz Festival Ljubljana
Rohey Taalah, vocals; Ivan Blomqvist, keyboards; Kristian B. Jacobsen, bass; Henrik Lødøen, drums
Norway offers an effervescent scene also when it comes to soul-jazz. Named after its lead singer Rohey Taalah, Rohey’s debut album on the Jazzland Recordings has captivated both mainstream jazz enthusiasts and lovers of sonorous female singers and bristling interpretations of soul music. While Rohey’s delivery withstands comparison with that of Erykah Badu in her early days, the band’s music, flavoured with distinctive Nordic quality, is nevertheless specific enough to ground their soul-jazz firmly in the dramatic expanses of Norway.
CD Park, admission free
 
FRI / 29 Jun / 21.30
Hermia / Ceccaldi / Darrifourcq Trio (Belgium/France)
Manuel Hermia, saxophones; Valentin Ceccaldi, cello; Sylvain Darrifourcq, drums
An experiment unafraid to venture into unchartered territories of sound but in love with the melodic tradition. Hermia-Ceccaldi-Darrifourcq is a trio that bravely breaks new ground, always carrying the breath of melody within themselves. Knowingly crossing the boundaries of the (un)known, they are outstanding in their unique adventure.
CD Park, admission free

FRI / 29 Jun / 23.00                                
Goran Kajfeš Subtropic Arkestra (Sweden)
Goran Kajfeš, trumpet; Jonas Kullhammar, saxophone, flute; Per “Ruskträsk” Johansson, saxophone, flute; Andreas Söderström, guitar; Jesper Nordenström, Fender Rhodes, piano, synthesizer; Johan Berthling, bass; Lars Skoglund, drums, percussion
Over the past decade, acclaimed trumpeter Goran Kajfeš, whose references include Fire! Orchestra, has explored the vault of musical legacy, performing cover versions of music by illustrious artists that include Soft Machine and Milton Nascimento, Grizzly Bear and Tame Impala, to name only four of the nearly thirty gems found on The Reason Why Volumes 1–3. Kajfeš assembled the cream of the crop in Swedish jazz, a cast of players who delved into reworking these pieces as if they were the fruit of their own loins. Theirs is a music that is orchestral and dancey, full of scintillating moods. Tunes that you just can’t get out of your head and that make you whirl for joy. Subtropic Arkestra is the ultimate proof that music makes life worth living.
CD Club, EUR 16, 12*
 
SAT / 30 Jun / 11.00
Abeceda (Slovenia)
The Jazz Festival Ljubljana has selected a group of 30 promising talents with the main goal of creating a musical performance based on individual visions of every performer while applying contemporary methodologies such as large-format conducting, improvisation and composition. Abeceda’s works will be featured within the context of the Saturday program in the CD Park.
CD Park, admission free
 
SAT / 30 Jun / 15.00                               
Clean Feed presents: Lisbon Underground Music Ensemble L.U.M.E. (Portugal). Post-concert culinary meeting between Bosnia and Portugal
Marco Barroso, composition, leader, piano; Manuel Luís Cochofel, flute; Paulo Gaspar, soprano clarinet; João Pedro Silva, soprano saxophone; Ricardo Toscano, alto saxophone; José Menezes, tenor saxophone; Elmano Coelho, baritone saxophone; Jorge Almeida, Jéssica Pina, Pedro Monteiro, trumpets; Ruben Santos, Eduardo Lála, Pedro Canhoto, trombones; Miguel Amado, electric bass; Vicky Marques, drums
Although inspired by the tradition of the big band model, the 15-piece orchestra led by composer Marco Barroso updates its speech in an intelligent and skilful fashion, combining written composition with improvisation with a dash of irony. One of the most exciting large European impro-jazz ensembles is finally coming to Ljubljana. We can look forward to a perfectly ordinary festival afternoon, a Saturday flavoured with Portuguese sardines.
CD Club, EUR 16, 12*
 
SAT / 30 Jun / 17.00
Rok Zalokar – Port Songs (Slovenia/Italy/The Netherlands)
Rok Zalokar, piano; Alessandro Fongaro, bass; Ruud Voesten, drums
Working between Rotterdam and Ljubljana, Rok Zalokar’s new trio explores the concept of a port as the melting pot of different cultures. The group’s music echoes influences of poetry, Indian rhythmic forms, choral singing… The trio’s notable appearances include the North Sea Jazz Festival.
CD Park, admission free
 
SAT / 30 Jun / 18.15
Elifantree (Finland)                      
Anni Elif, vocals, synthesizers; Pauli Lyytinen, tenor saxophone, EWI, live effects, drum machine; Olavi Louhivuori, drums; Joonas Saikkonen, sound
The band displayed prodigious talent already in 2012, when it appeared in Ljubljana at “The Best of 12 Points Festival”, a potential that has been fully harnessed on their new album and the spring tour of Europe. Having drawn comparisons to Kate Bush for her vocal style, the lead singer Anni Elif Egecioglu reveals herself as one of today’s most distinctive vocal artists. Elifantree’s signature take on jazz reflects influences that range from Bollywood music to Caribbean disco, fitting together into an enigmatic instrumental jigsaw of rhythms and sonorities.
CD Park, admission free
 
SAT / 30 Jun / 19.30                               
Dhafer Youssef 4tet (Tunisia/USA)
Dhafer Youssef, oud; Aaron Parks, piano; Joe Sanders, double bass; Justin Faulkner, drums
A prominent Tunisian oud player and singer, Dhafer Youssef’s evocative and intricate sound combines traditional Arabic music and jazz influences. Recruiting three stellar American musicians for his 4tet, Dhafer Youssef’s gig will feature tracks from his critically acclaimed Diwan of Beauty and Odd (2016).
Linhart Hall, EUR 18, 20, 24, 14*
 
SAT / 30 Jun / 21.00
Bowrain (Slovenia, Germany)
Bowrain, piano, keyboards; Mario Babojelić, guitar, live effects; Robert Nitschke, drums
Contemporary composer, pianist and producer Bowrain fuses acoustic sound with electronica into a colourful kaleidoscope, a composite of classical minimalism and multimedia experimentation. Bowrain’s solo album, Far Out (2014), was in 2017 followed by Distracted, a critically acclaimed release recorded with a backup band.
CD Park, admission free
 
SAT / 30 Jun / 22.00                      
Shake Stew (Austria)
Lukas Kranzelbinder, bass, leader; Fabian Rucker, alto saxophone; Johnny Schleiermacher, tenor saxophone; Mario Rom, trumpet; Christian Wendt, bass; Niki Dolp, drums, percussion; Mathias Koch, drums, percussion
Austria’s jazz band of the hour. In Vienna, Klagenfurt-born Lukas Kranzelbinder has compiled an all-star septet that includes members of Kompost 3 and Mario Rom’s Interzone. With Shabaka Hutchings as guest on two tracks, the band have recently released their hypnotic new album, Rise and Rise Again. A concoction of afrobeat and other African genres mixed with jazz grooves and shaken up into a highly engaging potion. Fresh music bearing the unmistakable stamp of the upcoming generation that will resonate with all music lovers.
CD Club, EUR 16, 12* (double concert with Vasko Atanasovski Melem feat. Bojan Z)
 
SAT / 30 Jun / 23.30                      
Vasko Atanasovski Melem feat. Bojan Z (Slovenia/France)
Vasko Atanasovski, alto saxophone, flute; Bojan Zulfikarpašić, piano; Dejan Lapanja, guitar; Marjan Stanič, drums, percussion
Melem, Atanasovski’s 2017 album recorded with numerous guest artists, featured covers of traditional Balkan songs. On this occasion, Vasko is joining forces with the acknowledged pianist Bojan Zulfikarpašić in a programme consisting of their original pieces as well as some arrangements.
CD Club, EUR 16, 12* (double concert with the Shake Stew)

Admission and discounts

Pre-sale until 30 May 2018
  • 30% discount on festival pass (35% discount on online purchases www.cd-cc.si)
  • 10% discount on tickets for a single concert (15% discount on online purchases www.cd-cc.si)
Regular sale from 1 June 2018
  • 20% discount on festival pass (25% discount on online purchases www.cd-cc.si)
  • 5% discount on online purchases of single concert tickets www.cd-cc.si)
Discounts are not combinable.

Children until the age of 12 get free tickets, except for concerts in the Gallus and Linhart Halls. Events in the CD Park (The Council of Europe Park, formerly known as The Kidrič Park) are admission free.
The asterisk* indicates discounted admission prices (lowest ticket categories) for people younger than 25, seniors 65+ and pensioners. Seniors 65 + and pensioners can claim 5% discount on all seat categories also at the CD Box Office.
 
Cankarjev dom, Prešernova cesta 10, 1000 Ljubljana
CD Information Centre and Box Office (Maxi passage)
P +386 (0)1 24 17 299, 24 17 300 E tickets@cd-cc.si
Business hours: weekdays from 11.00 to 13.00 and 15.00 to 20.00, Saturdays 11.00 to 13.00 and one hour before each performance. Ticket purchase also at authorised points of sale (M holidays, Petrol, Kompas, Alpetour, Last Minute Center, mojekarte.si, etc.), debit card by phone +386 (0)1 2417 300, weekdays from 9.00 to 18.00 and Saturday 11.00 to 13.00, online at W www.cd-cc.si.
Group bookings: P +386 (0)1 2417 168 E suzana.sheppard@cd-cc.si  
Information: W www.ljubljanajazz.si E info@ljubljanajazz.si T 0386 (0)1 2417 153
 
Main sponsor
Nova Ljubljanska banka d.d.
 
Supported by
USA Embassy in Ljubljana
Austrian Cultural Forum
MICA
Turizem Ljubljana
Avto Triglav & Jeep vehicles
 
Media Sponsor DELO d.d.

Jazz Festival Ljubljana is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture of RS. 
 
Jazz Festival Ljubljana – recipient of the 2018 European Jazz Network Award for Adventurous Programming
Jazz Festival Ljubljana, the oldest jazz festival in Europe, is the proud winner of the 2018 EJN (Europe Jazz Network) Award for Adventurous Programming.

Comment from the award jury:
“The 2018 EJN Award for Adventurous Programming has been unanimously assigned to Jazz Festival Ljubljana for its progressive programming that embraces the whole art form with an emphasis on European jazz while exemplifying the values of EJN such as geographical diversity and gender balance. Ljubljana has the oldest jazz Festival in Europe, founded in 1960, and since then has been striving to provide new music to curious audiences, despite many difficulties and changing contexts.”
 www.europejazz.net  
 
60th Jazz Festival Ljubljana
18–22 June 2019
After a ten-year hiatus, John Zorn will make a grand return to the jubilee festival edition with a musical marathon, Extended Bagatelles, to take place on 19 June 2019. One evening, 14 ensembles, Gallus Hall. Featured names include Masada, Craig Taborn, Trigger, John Medeski Trio, Ikue Mori, Gyan Riley & Julian Lage, Peter Evans, Kris Davis, Nova Quartet, Asmodeus (Marc Ribot, Trevor Dunn, Kenny Grohowski). See you there!