What?A summer regular here in Gent is the Blue Note Records Festival. But where it has always been tied closely to the Gentse Feesten - one of the biggest city festivals in Europa - the biggest novelty this year is perhaps that BNRF07 kicks off 8 days earlier. So you won't have to choose any more between cheap fun in the city and somewhat expensive but quality gigs at the festival.
Another difference is the fact that the clear division between the 'regular jazz' and fusion genres is now more blurred than ever. Though the most 'modern' artists still perform in the second part of the festival. That blurred line is a good sign though, and proves jazz is not a gimmick in pop and electronic music. If you read see my extensive watchlist below, you'll see why Blue Note is returning in top shape this year!
Linkwww.bluenotefestival.com
Where and when?from 6 to 17 July @ Bijloke, Bijlokekaai 7, 9000 Gent, Belgium
TicketsOne day: €27 presale or €31 at the door
Three day ticket: €65
Check the website for presale addresses
Our thoughtsIt would be overkill to include the full line-up here, but here's our recommendations:
In terms of 'regular jazz', you might want to check out Gianluca Petrella Indigo 4 (of Nicola Conte fame!), Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea & Gary Burton, e.s.t. and Archie Shepp / Roswell Rudd Quartet.
And in the other corner we have 'nuff big names with The Cinematic Orchestra, Koop, Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Dj Shadow, Nils Petter Molvaer/Bill Laswell Group, Amon Tobin, Erik Truffaz, Zap Mama, India.Arie, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Mo & Grazz and last but not least Sly and the Family Stone! Whoa!!
The tickets are still too expensive if you just want to hang around and 'check out' some band. If on the other hand you really want to see a few of the gigs, the top notch setting and sound justify the cost.
And if you speak dutch, be sure to check the 6 commercials on Youtube!
Full report right here
by lensco for [beyondjazz.net] |
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