Era Jazzu has become one of major artistic events in Poland. Festival concerts will be held in several places (Opera, CK Zamek) as well as clubs ( Blue Note, Piano Bar). As Aquanet Jazz Festival, part of Era Jazzu event series, to be held April 13-18 in Poznan.
Among this year’s performers is James „Blood” Ulmer – a legend of jazz guitar, who will play jazz, blues and funky. Jazz, free funky and blues come together in raggedly soulful music by American artist James Blood Ulmer the first electric guitarist to tour and record with the legendary Ornette Coleman. Considered by some to be the most innovative guitarist since Jimi Hendrix, Ulmer has also recorded with the Music Revelation Ensemble, New Jazz Art Quartet, Odyssey the Band and others.
Other stars who will appear this year include singer Anthony Strong. English jazz pianist and singer-songwriter Anthony Strong released his debut album “Guaranteed!” in 2009, after making a name for himself as side-man and session musician. His newest work, “On a Clear Day”, came out last year.
China Moses – a new star of jazz and soul music will grace this year’s Era Jazzu event series. Jazz storyteller China Moses, owner of quite an unusual name and a splendid voice, completed two music projects dedicated to the great dames of blues and soul resulting in the albums “This One’s For Dinah” and Crazy Blues “. The American artist lives in Paris and was the French voice of Disney’s Princess Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog”.
A quartet Get The Blessing consisting of musicians from two cult bands Radiohead and Portishead. An impressive mix of jazz, trip hop, and electronic, Get the Blessing grew out of the rhythm section of Portishead, as Jim Barr and Clive Deamer teamed up with Jake McMurchie and Pete Judge. Their shared inspiration was free jazz innovator Ornette Coleman, and their debut work –“ All is Yes” – won best album at the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards. Their newest, “Astronautilus”, was composed and recorded while seeking inspiration on the austere Cornish coast.
An American singer Deborah J. Carter will bring „Diggin’ The Duke”. The latest project of Deborah J. Carter is a tribute to Duke Ellington. Titled Diggin the Duke, the album features covers of his greatest hits, including “Satin Doll”, “Solitude”, and “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”. The artist already has released four solo albums; her most recent, “Daytripper”, came out in January of 2016.
Three in one – this April evening “Poznań Jazz Project” will feature American saxophonist and trumpeter Chico Freeman of the Freeman jazz family, the Maciej Fortuna and Krzysztof Dys trumpet/piano duo, and the Era Jazzu 2016 Prize laureate Dawid Kostka.
Let’s see how well these artists will mesh and welcome to Era Jazzu !
