Ten years of the Musicology Sessions concert series

Ten years of the Musicology Sessions concert series

Ten years have passed since the Musicology Festival was founded, which brings some of the most virtuoso world-renowned musicians to Serbia. After two years of the festival concept, it was transferred to the BitefArtCafe club and took the form of a series – Musicology Sessions – so that the Belgrade audience would have the opportunity to enjoy concerts throughout the year. Musicology has become a necessity of the city for its connoisseurs and admirers jazz, funk, blues, soul, worldmusic i r’n’b pravaca.

The commemoration of this impressive jubilee will take place on October 5 and 6, when the band’s concerts will be held. INCOGNITO and thereby open the new 2024/2025 Musicology Sessions season, who opened the doors of the New BitefArtCafe club with his performance.

Musicology Sessions is also this year the gathering place of the big names of the foreign music scene. In addition to Incognito, they are also coming to Belgrade Jose James, Bill Laurance i Michael League i Kyoto Jazz Massive ft Vanessa Freeman & EONADO.

Incognito

INCOGNITOthe leaders of the British acid jazz scene will hold two concerts in the BitefArtCafe club, October 5 and 6.

More than a band in the traditional sense, Incognito is an ever-changing collective of musicians resulting in a dynamic musical entity, encompassing a wide range of styles and cultures.
They bring an electrifying atmosphere and musical mastery as a perfect concert celebration of more than 40 years of creation. In their repertoire is a specific mixture of soul, jazz and funk, a fusion with songs that include their classic early tracks, instrumentals, as well as selected covers. Expect it to be a spectacular night, with Incognito favorites and dance floor-filling hits such as ‘Always There’ or ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing’.

Their first album Jazz Funk it was an instrumental tour de force with fantastic guests.

Now, after 44 years of active work, they have released their 19th and first self-titled double album Into You.

They bring the new sound of the new generation of London soul, neo soul and jazz. The team was joined by two outstanding singer-songwriters Cherri V and Natalie Duncan, and guitarist Charlie Allen – needless to say, the reactions were incredible – both live and on the radio. When asked what is the secret of Incognito’s longevity and success, Bluey told us:

“We have our own sound and we don’t try to follow anyone else’s beat! People love the contrast in this band, it keeps people interested in the journey either live or on album. Incognito has never been a band that tries to dazzle with flash and technical prowess, we groove to make you move and use glorious melodies to tell our stories. Our fans feel that they are part of it all, not just spectators.”

Jose James

JOSEPH JAMESan internationally recognized jazz singer of the hip-hop generation, will perform with his band and will present two concert evenings to the Belgrade audience. October 17 and 18 u BitefArtCafe club, where he will present his 12th studio release “1978”.

New York vocalist José James combines jazz, soul, drum’n’bass and spoken word into his unique brand of vocal jazz. While he cites his main influences as John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye and Billie Holiday, in his live performances he recalls the icons of jazz-soul from the seventies, while maintaining his authentic style.

The album “1978” is named after the year James was born and brings the sounds of the seventies, an era in which jazz, soul, disco and hip-hop came together. He worked on the album for five years and, as he says, it is his “most autobiographical” work so far.

He held numerous concerts in Europe, Japan and the United States of America, and collaborated with many famous artists such as Flying Lotus, Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Aloe Blacc and Jason Moran. He also performed as a guest artist with McCoy Tyner, Laura Mvula and the Jazz at Lincoln Center, Melbourne Symphony and Royal Concertgebouw orchestras.

About the upcoming concerts at the BitefArtCafe club, José said: “Each audience brings something special, but the audience in Belgrade is magical! They really show love in a powerful way. Honestly, my fans are the best and always give me love and support. I really appreciate them. The last time I played in Belgrade was really special. I can’t wait for the concerts, the vibe will be powerful in that space, intimate, exciting and sexy. This is one of the best bands I’ve ever had, I’m excited for everyone to hear it.”

“Artists have a special power – artists have freedom. On a personal level, music has to mean something to someone to come to a concert, buy a ticket or buy someone’s record. Playing live is more honest, but also harder. It brings a different energy that arises instantly and moves the walls, changes, and how we will react to these changes depends partly on us on stage, but also on the audience, and all that in that one moment, moment.”

Bill Laurance i Michael League

BILL LAURANCE i MICHAEL LEAGUEworld-famous musicians, will perform November 3. This concert will mark their first joint duo performance in Belgrade, presenting the audience with a unique sound outside of their usual projects.

The very thought of Bill Lawrence and Michael League immediately brings to mind Snarky Puppy. It’s been nearly twenty years since Southern California-born bassist and multi-instrumentalist Michael League founded the globally acclaimed collective that won four GRAMMY Awards. When it comes to keyboardist Bill Lawrence, who is originally from London, he has been part of this worldwide adventure for almost as long as Lig.

Michaelwho has already visited Belgrade three times, twice with his band Snarky Puppy and once with Bokante, announces that this performance will be something completely new and different. This time, together with Bill Lawrence, he will present a new project that explores the intimacy and depth of acoustic instruments, contrary to the energetic sound we are used to.

Album „Where You Wish You Were“, their first duo album, seems at the same time as a logical development of events, but also a surprise. What is particularly surprising, apart from the duet format with its reduced and concentrated approach, is the special sound and stylistic character of the music. Michael Ligprimarily known as a bass guitarist inspired by jazz and groove, on the album he plays a series of mostly fretless stringed instruments of Mediterranean and Oriental origin, primarily the oud, but also a specially constructed acoustic and electric guitar and a West African lyre, the ngoni. All of these instruments have the ability to imitate the voice, and also offer microtonal capabilities that far exceed the norms of Western music.

Car Lorenzwho in his projects, as with Snarky Puppy, often combines piano and various synth sounds, orchestral arrangements and digital soundscapes, here focuses entirely on the possibilities of the acoustic piano, which is ‘prepared’ with additional felt to dampen the strings.

Lawrence and League completely fell in love with the idea of ​​doing something different from Snarky Puppy, who recently filled the 12,500-seat Wembley Arena in London. The duo had an idea to reduce their music. The recording gave them a long-awaited opportunity to explore the intimacy, fragility and clarity that exists in the relationship between two musicians; it was something they both wanted to achieve.

“I think musicians are different beings and have many sides to their musical personalities. I tend to be associated with bigger, louder ensembles and wanted to form a project that allowed for more freedom and intimacy. This duo does just that.”

On this recording, you try to push the boundaries between jazz, oriental and Mediterranean music. What are the similarities and differences between these genres?

“There really wasn’t a mission in terms of composing/performing within genres. Bill and I just wrote music that intrigued us and felt honest, without much regard for what to call it. Of course it’s influenced by the music we love and consume, but we weren’t trying to refer to anything in particular – we’re just discovering new things in a duo format.”

Kyoto jazz massive

At the end of the winter part of the season, November 29a Japanese sensation arrives KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE.

Led by Shuya Okina and Vanessa Freeman on lead vocals, KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE is supported by the powerful sound of the band “Echoes Of A New Dawn Orchestra”, spreading his unique vision from jazz-funk, broken beat to soulful house, cosmic groove and everything in between.

A project that defies genre, KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVEfounded by brothers OKINO – Shuya Okino and Yoshi Okino, and discovered by Gilles Peterson, is finally returning to the European scene after a fifteen-year hiatus, celebrating its 30th birthday with fresh material and a completely new line-up.

KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE is an innovative project led by two extremely influential DJs and artists on the Japanese music scene Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Sextet and owner of the jazz club – The Room in Shibuya) i Yoshihiro Okino (owner of Especial Records).

Discovered and named KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE by Gilles Peterson In the early 90s, the DJ duo formed by the OKINO brothers pioneered Japanese club jazz and crossover music worldwide. In 1994, their first production came out, a compilation called “KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE VA”. But their breakthrough came after they signed their first single “ECLIPSE” to the German label Compost, which was followed by their landmark album “SPIRIT OF THE SUN” in 2000! KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE gained international recognition, as both critics and audiences praised their innovative crossover style, mixing electro, jazz, house, funk and break rhythms.

2024. year will be the 30th anniversary Kyoto Jazz Massivepromising and announcing several live celebrations across Europe, along with brand new material and recordings such as a collaboration LP with “The Echoes Of A New Dawn Orchestra”, including their amazing rendition of KJM’s classic broken house anthem, Substream.

The name of the band “Kyoto Jazz Massive” was coined by Gilles Peterson: When he first came to Kyoto for the party of the music magazine “Straight No Chaser”, we asked for his signature and told him that we are jazz DJs based in Kyoto. Then he gave us his signature and wrote the name – Kyoto Jazz Massive. We immediately decided that it would be the name of our band.”

How would you describe your music in just a few words? Is the music you produce different from the music you play when you DJ?
“We play many different types of music, such as jazz, soul, boogie, Brazilian, Latin, house, hip hop and so on, it’s hard to name just one, we want to call it “quality music”. But “jazz/crossover music” is the most applicable.” Shuya Okino said.

Source: BIZLife

Photo: Marko Obradović Edge