Makaya McCraven
Drummer Makaya McCraven is one of the unifying factors in Chicago’s thriving jazz scene. His concerts are a feast for the eyes and ears. As a band leader, he always seems to be on the move, always looking for innovation. That also applies to his albums: with Deciphering the Message he brought last a nice tribute to the Blue Note catalogue† His new, very strong album In These Times will be released this fall on International Anthem, the label of which McCraven has become the figurehead. Many of his band members have their own projects on International Anthem, including bassist Junius Paul who comes along with McCraven.
Joe Armon Jones
The London jazz scene is once again well represented in Rotterdam this year. We especially look forward to the performance of pianist Joe Armon-Jones, who has developed into one of the best Fender Rhodes players of his generation. On Saturday you can admire his equally vital and virtuoso playing in his own band. Hopefully he will stay overnight in Rotterdam so he can play along with it on Sunday saxophonist Nubya Garcia, as he did at the Glastonbury festival. Garcia is arguably the most popular London jazz musician at the moment, with Armon-Jones joining us we expect nothing less than fireworks.
Jameszoo Blind Group
One of the most wonderful and intriguing albums of this year is recorded by Jameszoo, aka Mitchel van Dinther from Den Bosch. Blind is an exciting collage of free-jazz, electronics and samples that hardly seems reproducible live. Jameszoo Blind Group, including Niels Broos on keyboards, is going to try it anyway. Or do they take the twelve pieces on the album as a starting point for improvisations? Anyway, it will be exciting for sure.
Archie Shepp & Jason Moran
Also this year there is again a nice number of living jazz legends to admire. Pianist and artist in residence Herbie Hancock (82) will perform three times. Bassist Ron Carter (85) plays, just like the 84-year-old saxophonist Charles Lloyd. One year older is tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp, who last year surprised with the album Let My People Go that he made with the generations younger pianist Jason Moran. Seeing them play together is an opportunity that probably won’t happen again. Moran brought out the best in Shepp on record, we are curious how the synergy is on stage.
Gabriels
The music of the trio Gabriels is like a journey through a century of black American music. Jacob Lusk’s vocals will grab you by the throat: the American from Compton, California has a long history in church and gospel choirs and was discovered in the talent show American Idol† The other two band members, Ari Balouzian and Ryan Hope, were looking for a skilled choir director for a soundtrack and ended up with Lusk. It clicked, and so the collaboration began in the musical alliance Gabriels, in which the three mix classic soul and R&B, doo-wop and jazz. With, of course, that heavenly ascending gospel.
Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage may not be an overly well-known name in Dutch music circles, but the Nigerian singer is truly a global million-dollar stunner. While West African pop and afro beats have made it big on the global streaming charts, Savage is continuously releasing delicious hits, such as her upbeat vibend All Over and her latest hit Somebody’s Son, with a guest appearance from R&B great Brandy. For those who are not averse to a few teeth tuned up autotune.
Sabrina Claudio
Her voice opens up a world of sensuality, but can also take you along psychedelic abysses. Sabrina Claudio from Miami was first heard on the headstrong streaming platform Soundcloud, but in recent years has been one of the great promises of the better, artistically high-quality R&B. her number Unravel Me is both seductive and a little terrifying, and so is her single with luxurious orchestrations Better Version† Those who like sighing, beautiful vocals should not miss Claudio.
Lous and the Yakuza
The Congolese-Belgian singer Marie-Pierre Kakoma aka Lous and the Yakuza mixes subtle hip-hop and afrobeats with highly distinguished French pop and of course the indestructible chanson. Just listen to the beautiful track Dilemmefrom her debut album gore from 2020. Or to her just released single samples† We expect not only flawless pop but also visual display, because at Lous and the Yakuza the presentation is also stylistically justified.