The next event in our series, with the help of PlusEtage, is the duo gathering of guitar experimentalist MATTHEW GRIGG (a fascinating guitarist from Bristol, UK, founder of the interesting Unknown Tongue label and organizer of a very successful concert series) and percussionist FRISO VAN WIJCK.
This concert takes place at the aula of the Cultural Center Baarle-Hertog/Nassau (where the original venue of PlusEtage is situated). All info and tickets here.

Veteran critic ROBERTO MANDOLINI wrote a nice review on the newest release of GARUDA TRIO + RODRIGO PINHEIRO. The review of their TONGUES OF FLAMES got published on the Italian ONDAROCK website. Get your copy here.

“Il sassofonista Hugo Costa torna a pubblicare sulla belga A New Wave of Jazz in compagnia dei connazionali Hernâni Faustino (contrabbasso), João Valinho (batteria) e Rodrigo Pinheiro (pianoforte), stella luminosa dell’imperdibile scena free jazz portoghese. Le tre improvvisazioni di “Tongues Of Flames” sono state registrate durante il mese di luglio del 2022 a Lisbona (Namouche studios) e pubblicate ad inizio 2024 su CD dall’etichetta di Dirk Serries (nella solita edizione di 200 copie con copertina disegnata da Rutger Zuydervelt). I diciotto minuti della prima traccia in scaletta, “Raw”, esprimono l’essenza del suono liquido e allo stesso tempo dinamitardo del quartetto: il contrabbasso disegna lentamente un groove lunare e per quasi sei minuti sassofono, pianoforte e batteria cesellano morbide note in assonanza con i timbri del cordofono; quindi un’accelerazione costante porta le voci degli strumenti in primo piano per dar vita alla lunga coda che prende fuoco come i blues siderali di David Murray. La magia si ripete nella più breve, omonima, “Tongues Of Flames”, dove Costa e Pinheiro si alternano in due assolo in cui dimostrano di aver raggiunto una sintonia tutta da ascoltare, muovendosi tra volumi e spazi multidimensionali. Ancora accenti blues aprono i quindici minuti di “If We Dance”, dove il dialogo tra i quattro musicisti diventa talmente fluido da apparire nel trascinante finale come una sola voce. “

Eyal Hareuveni of SALT PEANUTS just reviewed DEFIANT ILLUSION, a lovely new album on our label by Carla Santana/José Lencastre/Maria do Mar/Gonçalo Almeida. Available through our bandcamp.

Defiant Illusion presents an ad-hoc, free improvising Portuguese quartet of electronics player Carla Santana, sax hero Josè Lencastre (on alto and tenor), violinist Maria do Mar and Almeida, recorded at Toolate Studio in Abóboda in October 2022. The atmosphere of this intriguing quartet, with its unique instrumentation, is reserved and patient, nuanced and chamber in spirit, despite the subtle, semi-industrialist and throbbing electronic sounds. The four musicians manage to balance and integrate their distinct voices into enigmatic, conversational dynamics while building a stimulating tension. This kind of dynamics stress deep listening and leaves enough space for individual solos and introspection. The aptly titled, 13-minute centerpiece “The Way of Zen” captures best the mysterious, contemplative and intimate aesthetics of Defiant Illusion.

BENEDICT TAYLOR and DIRK SERRIES’ two-day residency at the magnificent HUNDRED YEARS GALLERY was truly a mesmerizing experience. Celebrating their 2nd duo album OBSIDIAN, released on the Creative Sources label, Benedict and Dirk gathered an amazing line-up of UK improvisers. Routed strongly in the legacy of the international impro scene, and unfortunately frequently fully underrated abroad, these 2 days proved again how relevant, essential, and strong these musicians are. And it’s time to pay respect and so did we with having them on board for 4 sets, spread over these 2 days. Joined us were JOHN BUTCHER (saxophones), JOHN EDWARDS (double bass), CHARLOTTE KEEFFE (trumpet), and BLANCA REGINA (voice, objects) on Saturday and on Sunday we welcomed MAGGIE NICOLS (voice), SYLVIA HALLETT (violin, electronics, saw), STEVE BERESFORD (piano, melodica), MARK WASTELL (percussion) and COLIN WEBSTER (alto sax). Benedict and Dirk express their gratitude to all contributing musicians for their enthusiasm and absolutely stunning musical contributions. To Graham and Montse at Hundred Years Gallery for the warm hospitality and for believing in this without any reservation and to the audience for supporting this free-form music genre. Thanks to you all we keep continuing…

BENEDICT TAYLOR and DIRK SERRIES’ two-day residency at HUNDRED YEARS GALLERY kicks off tonight.

After their well-received debut duo album PUNCTURE CYCLE, British key improviser BENEDICT TAYLOR and Belgian guitarist DIRK SERRIES have a new album out, called OBSIDIAN, on the Portuguese CREATIVE SOURCES label.  This is their 2nd duo album, this time recorded at this beautiful chapel in Dirk’s hometown in Belgium.  Apart from their duo recordings and performances these productive artists played numerous times together in in various projects (just think about TONUS, SETT, Daniel Thompson’s quintet, etc) and events.  Celebrating this brand-new album, the duo is doing this two-day residency at Hundred Years Gallery for which they invited an eclectic and unique list of British improvisers.  Truly honored and over the moon they all accepted and are joinging the duo for some unfiltered improvisation.

Saturday March 30th 7pm

BENEDICT TAYLOR and DIRK SERRIES with JOHN BUTCHER, JOHN EDWARDS, CHARLOTTE KEEFFE, and BLANCA REGINA.

Sunday March 31st 3pm

SET 1 : BENEDICT TAYLOR and DIRK SERRIES with MAGGIE NICOLS and MARK WASTELL, STEVE BERESFORD, SYLVIA HALLETT and COLIN WEBSTER