North Sea Jazz presents line up 2011
In addition to the previous announced names we proudly announce BB King, Snoop Dogg Doggy Style with original featured guests, Jonathan Jeremiah, Tom Jones “Praise & Blame”, Chaka Khan, Dr. John, Madeleine Peyroux, Seal, Eddie Palmieri, Larry Graham Central Station, Pharoah Sanders Quartet, Chucho Valdés & Omara Portuondo, Amadou & Mariam, Joe Lovano Us Five, Brad Mehldau & Joshua Redman, New John Scofield Group, and Randy Brecker Bill Evans Soulbop featuring Medeski, Martin & Wood among others. Singer Natalie Cole will kick off the sixth Rotterdam edition of the festival on Thursday July 7 at the North Sea Jazz Gala.
Special projects
There'll be some great special projects at the festival. The top of three generations of male jazz vocalists, Jon Hendricks, Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling, will meet in a performance together with the Metropole Orkest. Jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Marcus Miller, who have all played with Miles Davis, will together bring a tribute to the jazz phenomenon that died twenty years ago today. Mujeres De Agua is a project by producer Javier Limón, including some of the greatest vocalists from nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, including Buika, Eletheria Arvanitaki and Aynur. Terje Isungset will play on ice instruments made especially for his performance at the festival.
New developments
During the festival there's special focus on new developments with the themes Infused, New Bop and Free Jazz and Electronic. New talent is introduced on two nights.
Infused
Within the Infused theme, North Sea Jazz presents a number of groups able to blend jazz, rock and funk in a refreshing manner. On stage, on Friday: Knee Body, Mona Lisa Overdrive & FullDuplexx and Mostly Other People Do The Killing.
New Free Bop
After the strict rules of the neo-bop and the generation concentrating on free jazz, young musicians are now looking into the lyrical and soul aspects of jazz, combined with fifty years of music history. This theme includes performances of Francesco Bearzatti, Tony Malaby and William Parker with Liam Sillery.
Electronic Jazz
A musical area that has been producing many interesting sounds for many years, and continues to develop. Flying Lotus, for instance, will perform his layered electronic music, accompanied by his live band. German dance producer and dj Hendrik Schwarz works together with Bugge Wesseltoft, the Norwegian pianist who makes dance music with a jazzy approach. And James Blake, who is a subtle sound magician making an entirely new blend of dance with singer-songwriter elements.
CARTE BLANCHE
In the programming of North Sea Jazz 2011, much room has been given to young talent. That’s partly why the organization chose not to invite an Artist In Residence; in previous years, that title was appointed to an established jazz artist.
In its place two younger, but just as talented, acts were given the title “Carte Blanche”: Kyteman and Rudresh Mahanthappa. Just like the Artist In Residence before them, North Sea Jazz allows them to be present on all festival days. They will be doing different performances to show off their versatility.