Jazz Middelheim, 12th to 15th AUGUST 2016 in Antwerp’s Den Brandt Park, today announced its full programme. Ludovico Einaudi, Melanie De Biasio, Pharoah Sanders/Zakir Hussain/Joachim Kühn, STUFF. Hybrid Love, Liberation Music Orchestra and Avishai Cohen are just some of the names in the line-up.
Friday 12th August 2016, the opening day of Jazz Middelheim 2016, is all about minimalism in all its forms. The day starts with a project by vibraphonist Pascal Schumacher, moves on to the elegant and melodious jazz of the Marcin Wasilewski Trio, before artist in residence and trumpet player Avishai Cohen takes to the stage for the first time with his quartet. The day will end with a master of minimalism, piano phenomenon Ludovico Einaudi.
Day two is given over to the legacy of recently passed, Ornette Coleman. Given that he performed at Jazz Middelheim in 2007 and that the man’s influence is still utterly tangible, Jazz Middelheim couldn’t miss the chance to dedicate a day to him. During his second concert, artist in residence Avishai Cohen will present his band 'The Big Vicious', followed later by the renowned, wild ICP Orchestra under the trusted leadership of Dutch drummer and 'éminence grise' Han Bennink. Finally, there will be a tribute to Ornette Coleman by musicians who played in his final line-up.
Sunday 14th August will celebrate almost exclusively Belgian musicians. One of the most important aims of Jazz Middelheim is to promote our own home-grown Belgian jazz musicians. The day will start with the final concert by Avishai Cohen, who has developed a project with students from the Antwerp Royal Conservatoire to be performed on stage at Jazz Middelheim. Hot on its heels comes a collaboration between Jef Neve and Dutch rapper Typhoon, before the modern fusion sound that is STUFF. Their 'Hybrid Love' is an ode to 50 years of development in music technology. The day will peak with Walloon singer, Melanie De Biasio, whose timeless voice and sober accompaniment forms an effortless bridge between jazz and pop.
The final day of Jazz Middelheim focuses on more engaged jazz. Craig Taborn, one of the most lauded keyboardists of challenging improvisation, is on a solo mission. Dré Pallemaerts introduces his new album 'Coutances', along with a raft of musicians of equally high standing who have all worked together on countless projects. The Liberation Music Orchestra with Carla Bley and Steve Swallow will shine a spotlight on their recently passed leader, Charlie Haden. The final concert will be headed up by a former sideman of John Coltrane: saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, with percussionist Zakir Hussain and pianist Joachim Kühn.
