Thursday 7 June 2018, 7.30pm
Fantastic pairing of Dutch guitarist, Terrie Hessels (The Ex) and Slovenian pianist and composer, Kaja Draksler, who was recently awarded the Paul Acket Award – awarded yearly by the North Sea Jazz Festival to an artist who deserves wider recognition for their extraordinary musicianship.
Kaja Draksler is a Slovenian pianist and composer. After her studies in the Netherlands, she decided to stay in Amsterdam, where she is an active member of the improvisors scene, performing extensively all over the Europe. She is one of the founding members of the interdisciplinary group I/O and part of the internationally acclaimed Doek collective. Besides her frequent solo performances and various ongoing collaborative projects, she is currently focusing on her own (Amsterdam-based) Octet. As a composer she has been commissioned by various international groups, ranging from vocal and chamber ensembles to big bands and orchestras. In the spirit of the Dutch jazz/improvised music legacy, Kaja is drawn to the idea of erasing the stylistic and historical musical borders, and discovering personal expression and language through composition and improvisation.
www.kajadraksler.com
Terrie Hessels started playing guitar when he co-founded the Ex in 1979. Kind of coincidence; it was the instrument no-one wanted to play. Some 1900 concerts with The Ex ever since. More than 2000 in total.
Next to all The Ex releases, he started free-improvising from the very start. From a little guitarsolo on the Awara/Ex 7" in 1981, till recent tours with Han Bennink or impro-groups Offonoff or LeanLeft (with Ken Vandermark, Andy and Paal Nilssen-Love).
Drives a year along 21 African countries, with Emma Fischer. In 1996. Starts in 2000 the TERP label, for his own impro-projects and African Music. Produced Cd's with ao Tsehaytu Beraki, Getatchew Mekuria, Konono No.1 and Mohammed Jimmy Mohammed. 25 releases thus far. (www.terprecords.nl)
Lives with Emma Fischer and daughter Lena (13) in the Witte Villa in Wormer.
Played with: Sonic Youth, John Cale, Getatchew Mekuria, Herman Brood, Herr Seele, Kamagurka, Jan Mulder, Mekons, Chumbawamba, Tsehaytu Beraki, Peter Brozmann, Hamid Drake, Jan Akkerman, Djibril Diabate, Butch Morris, Mats Gustafsson, ICP, Wolter Wierbos, Wilbert de Joode, Zu, Guy Picciotto, Roy Paci, Cactus Truck, Christine Senaoui, Ig Henneman, Tim Hodgekinson, Michael Vatcher, Magpie Dancecompany, Alex d' Electrique, Ferrie Heyne, Saadet Turkoz, Peter Evans, Nate Wooley, Melaku Belay, Endris Hassen, Misale Legesse, Noel Akchote, Akira Sakata, Ada Rave, Jamie Breezy Branch
During the late noughties Crystabel Efemena Riley toured Japan and Europe using drums, electronics and make-up in power-noise trio Maria and the Mirrors. This was the start of her interest in patterns on skins — human and drum. An interest in dimensional patterns existing on (and off) different surfaces has continued to evolve through exploring the idea of 'care and uncare' of various skin surfaces. Crystabel has been a long-term collaborator with Sue Lynch who welcomed her into the Horse Improvised Music Club and later played in the London Improvisers Orchestra. She is currently working on the multi-format duo project @xcrswx with Seymour Wright and recently released a split vinyl with Lolina.
