From the Norwegian snow to the Spanish sun: two bands connect the far ends of European jazz.
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The annual festival Red Light Jazz presents two promising bands who have strong ties with Amsterdam. Barencia is led by pianist Xavi Torres, known for fusing flamenco and jazz. Beiggja is the new group with which saxophonist Kika Sprangers expands her horizon towards Scandinavia.
Barencia named after an imaginary city, a point halfway between Barcelona and Florence. It is a unique fusion of different traditions, a magical alchemy that creates a spectacle of encounters between music and dance, between flamenco and jazz. The group was founded by Xavi Torres, a major talent of Catalan jazz. A special role is reserved for Mexican dancer Karen Lugo, who draws from flamenco and modern dance. Double bassist Michelangelo Scandroglio is an emerging talent on the Italian scene, and Florentine drummer Bernardo Guerra is known for his ongoing collaborations with Stefano Bollani.
In the heart of winter, just outside Oslo, they gathered in a house nestled in a snowy forest. The house belonged to drummer Per Oddvar Johansen, known for his recordings in the renowned label ECM Recordings. The other players were saxophonist Kika Sprangers, pianist Kjetil Mulelid and bassist Mats Eilertsen, who’s also an ECM recording artist. Surrounded by the bright, quiet stillness of the landscape, they set up to play music. What began as a spontaneous meeting blossomed into the debut album Morning, to be released this summer. Now they will continue the story on stage.
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Xavi Torres’ Barencia
Karen Lugo dance, Xavi Torres piano, Michelangelo Scandroglio double bass, Bernardo Guerra drums
Kika Sprangers & Beiggja
Kika Sprangers saxophone, Kjetil Mulelid piano, Mats Eilertsen double bass, Per Oddvar Johansen drums
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