In 2007 we frequently visited Jazzcafé Wilhelmina in Eindhoven.
Jazz is in our blood. We’ve been recording jazz concerts of all genres and on various stages. We certainly don’t limit ourselves to the BIMhuis and North Sea Jazz, but also seek out small venues.
In 2007, we recorded at Jazzcafé Wilhelmina in Eindhoven several times, collaborating with local technicians. You might expect a jazz café to host local acts, perhaps wedding bands or small-time performers who’ve played with a big name once or twice. But you’d be surprised. Wilhelmina managed to attract some major international talents to Eindhoven. It was far from your typical café music!
In today’s first concert, we’ll hear Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier play with cellist Vincent Courtois and saxophonist Ellery Eskelin. Courvoisier is known for her boldness, but Courtois is quite a character himself. Opting for the cello instead of the bass, which is rare in jazz, Courtois plucks it like a bass at times but often bows full melodies as well. The trio performs two half-hour improvisations, yet they seem perfectly attuned to each other’s expectations and the direction of the music.
The second concert is a bit more conventional. We will listen to another trio, but this time they play the piano with rhythm section. The piano is played by Albert van Veenendaal from Utrecht. For those in the know, this hints that it won’t be a completely standard concert. While there are pieces with clear structures, titles like “Songs to dance strangely with” and “Papperlappap” prepare us for a hefty dose of eccentricity.
Playlist
1. improvisations 1 and 2
2. Song to dance strangely with
3. Chromatics / As cucumbers
4. Predictable point of impact
5. Papperlappap
6. Happy hour
7. encore: Miniatures très vites
Performers
Sylvie Courvoisier (piano), Vincent Courtois (cello), Ellery Eskelin (tenorsax) (1)
Albert van Veenendaal (piano), Meinrad Kneer (bass), Yonga Sun (drums) (2-7)
