ProgJazz (2025)

09/06/2025

A Night of Unexpected Delights: Korean Collectives Mesmerize at Bimhuis | by: Robin Boer

It's a rare treat to attend a concert with minimal preconceptions and leave thoroughly captivated, but that's precisely what transpired at the renowned Bimhuis in Amsterdam.

This evening featured a double bill of exceptional talent from South Korea: the percussion trio Groove& and the quintet yonglee & The Doltang, led by composer and pianist yonglee.

Groove& opened the night, presenting their "new dimension Gugak sounds." Their performance was a vibrant fusion of traditional Korean music and dance, brought to life through an array of Korean percussion instruments and occasional vocals. The trio's synergy was remarkable; their intricate and intense compositions flowed seamlessly, as if played by a single entity. From start to finish, the audience was completely engrossed, aided by the trio's insightful explanations of the music's origins and the instruments' cultural significance.

Following Groove& was the equally impressive yonglee & The Doltang. This quintet's work draws inspiration from the complexities and pressures of modern life, translated into a dynamic and versatile set. Their compositions spanned a broad spectrum of musical influences, at times abstract, at times melodic, and frequently challenging in their complexity.

A notable rock influence infused their sound with a powerful, groovy edge. The quintet's palpable passion for their craft shone through in every note, delivering a performance that felt all too brief.

The pieces performed were from their recently released album, Invisible Worker, which comes highly recommended.
For those eager to explore their music further, you can find yonglee & The Doltang's album here: https://yonglee.bandcamp.com/album/invisible-worker

And learn more about Groove& here: https://grooveand.creatorlink.net/

Live Photos: Hans Boer

14/04/2025

Tonight at 9pm CET on Worldofjazz.nl | Concertzender:

Jazz fusion intertwined with classical elements, analog synthesizers, Nordic medieval influences, ambient, world music, improvisation, and blazing odd-meter jazz rock. This encapsulates Progjazz in a nutshell. Past, Present, Future.

Delivered to you by Storm Bakker.

Playlist:

James McGowan – Reaching In
Chick Corea – Prelude to El Bozo
Chick Corea – El Bozo Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Chick Corea – Spanish Fantasy Part 4
Jan Garbarek & Agnes Buen Garnas – Målfri mi fruve (Tora lille)
Marit van der Lei – See
Sanne Rambags & Mudita – Utrechtse Heuvelrug
Sinnika Langeland – Karsikko
Stormvogel ft. Leo Janssen / Live at Festival de Muzen – Atuatuca III
John McLaughlin 4th Dimension / Live at Ronnie Scott’s – Meeting of the Spirits

01/04/2025

"The five musicians stay in perfect musical balance, while keeping an individually recognizable sound. All players master the art of taking the listener along in a story, saying more with fewer words."

Read the full observation of the Sun-Mi Hong Quintet concert in Utrecht by Storm Bakker on the ProgJazz website:
https://progjazz.net/concerts/sun-mi-hong-club-nine/

Photo by: Robin Boer (ProgJazz)

15/03/2025

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the renowned TivoliVredenburg hall in Utrecht was transformed into a realm of musical magic. The evening was graced by a nine-piece ensemble, masterfully led by the talented composer, pianist, and conductor Robin A. Smith. The highlight of the night was a re-imagined rendition of Mike Oldfield's iconic work, Tubular Bells—a rare and extraordinary opportunity to witness this legendary composition live.

The concert began with a delightful selection of pieces from Oldfield's extensive catalog, setting the stage for what was to come. Smith's own composition, 'Gem', added a personal touch to the evening, serving as a beautiful introduction to the main event.

As the ensemble launched into Tubular Bells, the atmosphere in the hall shifted. The performance was nothing short of mesmerizing—captivating, dynamic, and adventurous. Each note was imbued with emotion, taking the audience on a journey through the intricate layers of Oldfield's masterpiece. The musicians' synergy and Smith's visionary direction brought a fresh and exhilarating perspective to the beloved composition.

The audience was spellbound, and as the final notes faded, the hall erupted in a standing ovation. The applause was a testament to the ensemble's exceptional talent and the unforgettable experience they had created. It was a night of musical brilliance that will be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to attend.

Photo: Tony van der Gaag

10/03/2025

Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter are no longer with us. The music of Weather Report will never sound the same again for that reason alone. Yet, last night at Poppodium Boerderij, the Scott Kinsey Quartet came close at times. It's reassuring to know that the legacy of these greats, when performed on stage today, is still in capable hands...

Photo: Hans Boer

08/03/2025

Last Sunday, one of the Netherlands' most prolific and exciting bands of the past 50+ years bid their final farewell at the Muziekpodium Azotod venue in De Meern, NL. They celebrated the release of the concert recording from their 2022 farewell tour "Back To Shore", which was shown on a big screen. The final lineup—keyboardist, founder and leader Ton Scherpenzeel, drummer Hans Eijkenaar, singer Bart Schwertmann, guitarist Marcel Singor, and bassist Kristoffer Gildenlöw—took the time to interact with their loyal fans.

Despite being largely ignored by mainstream media since the early 80's, Kayak created some of the most captivating, melodic, moving, and intense music in rock history, remaining unaffected by contemporary music trends. With a history of 24 band members, eighteen studio albums (including three expansive rock operas) and numerous live releases, the creative output of Ton Scherpenzeel, the late Pim Koopman, and lyricist Irene Linders is truly admirable.

We highly recommend exploring their back catalogue.

03/03/2025

"One of the band’s notable achievements on this album is representing all musicians almost equally on each track while offering a rich palette of sound colors."

Fusion-funk collective Sticky Wicked recently released their impressive album Nightfall. Read our analysis on the website:
progjazz[dot]net/releases/sticky-wicked-nightfall/ (link in comments)

28/02/2025

Thoroughly captivated by the imaginative explorations of this remarkable trio: Emanuele Pellegrini on piano, Alessandro Fongaro on double bass, and Nick Thessalonikefs on drums. Their performance at the radiant Studio 150 Bethlehemkerk in the North of Amsterdam, was nothing short of mesmerizing.

Pellegrini's compositions offer an expansive range of inventions, moods, and creativity, transporting listeners into a realm of introspection, comfort, and emotion. Fongaro and Thessalonikefs act as master painters, skillfully defining the corners and edges of an already vibrant picture.

An album of newly recorded works is set to be released later this year.

The concert was streamed live on YouTube and powered by the Keep an Eye Foundation. You can find the link to rewatch it in the comments.

24/02/2025

On Sunday, February 23, 2025, a cozy Mennonite church in Baarn, led by composer/pianist/author Stormvogel, hosted a mind-blowing afternoon of adventurous music. Four exceptional musicians, performed a crossover set blending jazz, improvisation, medieval, baroque, and rock influences.

The afternoon was a testament to the musicians’ inspiration, humility, expression, and skill.

A thorough observation can be read on the website. Link in comments.

Picture by Myrle Kloens.

16/02/2025

Still buzzing from the electrifying performance by the dynamic quartet PIETRE, led by the talented composer Alessandro Fongaro on double bass. The group, featuring Nicolò Francesco Ricci on tenor sax, Jesse Schilderink on barotone sax, and Sun Mi Hong on drums, delivered two breathtaking sets at the enchanting Artishock Soest.

Since its inception in 1967, this venue has been a haven for top-tier local and international jazz and improvisational artists, offering an atmosphere that is nothing short of warm, welcoming, cozy, and intimate.

PIETRE showcased pieces from their self-titled second album, along with newer, yet-to-be-recorded compositions. Their music, characterized by vivid improvisation, seamlessly blends with meticulously crafted themes and rhythms, creating a unique sound rarely heard in today's jazz scene. Experiencing this in such an intimate setting was truly remarkable.

We highly recommend delving deeper into this exceptional collective through the links shared below in the comments.

Photos: Robin Boer

10/02/2025

What a thrill it was to witness the impeccable skills and creativity of the Kris Davis Trio at the legendary Bimhuis in Amsterdam. Canadean Kris Davis, who became a prominent figure in the jazz scene in the early 2000s, masterfully blends traditional jazz with avant-garde elements. She is also an educator and the founder of Pyroclastic Records, a label dedicated to supporting innovative jazz musicians.

In these challenging times, when it is increasingly difficult for independent artists to tour internationally, it feels like a true privilege to enjoy such moving, creatively versatile, and unique performances in such a beautiful venue.

Davis was joined by longtime collaborator Robert Hurst on double bass and powerhouse Johnathan Blake on drums. They played music from Davis' back catalogue as well as from their new album, "Run the Gauntlet," which pays homage to six influential pianists: Geri Allen, Carla Bley, Renee Rosnes, Angelica Sanchez, Marilyn Crispell, and Sylvie Courvoisier.

(The concert is recorded for Bimhuis TV, link in the comments)

Photos: Hans Boer

04/02/2025

"Seafarer is a deeply moving second chapter in what will hopefully be an expansive series of musical voyages. Loek van den Berg captures the musical fragments from his travels and translates them into the impressive art we are privileged to hear on this beautifully produced record."

Read the full feature on Loek van den Berg's new release on ZenneZ Records "Seafarer." (link in comments)

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